TJ admissions now verifying free and reduced price meal status for successful 2026 applicants

[Anonymous]

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It’s wrong to prepare for some tests. Cogat. The old TJ test.

At the risking of opening up an old can of worms, I've never understood this line of reasoning. Is it better to be unprepared than to be prepared, for anything?

If I'm going to be tested, I want to do as well as I can. Knowing the format of the test and the type of content it addresses seems like an obvious aspect of preparation to undertake. If it's a timed test, then practicing to get a feel for how quickly I need to work also makes sense.

Don't athletes, musicians, actors practice before a tryout? Don't students study before a class exam? Don't job candidates prepare for interviews?

Depends on the test. If the teacher or admissions office say to prepare, then go ahead.

But these specific tests aren’t designed for that.

If some kids are preparing then all kids need to prepare to get consistent scores.

I've never been told to prepare for a job interview. Should I thus have shown up unprepared? Should I only prepare for something if explicitly instructed to do so?

Nobody has the right to tell me not to be prepared for anything and it is never unethical to be prepared.

People will always have different levels of preparation for anything. Those who are most diligent will be most prepared. Does that mean we should do away with any evaluations or assessments of any kind?!

Don’t be obtuse.

We don’t need to hear your twisted rationalizations for cheating.

[Anonymous]

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I don't see TJ as a place that should demand that 13 year olds have already devoted their childhood to STEM but should be a place for kids who are smart and motivated and interested in STEM to attend. I also see that many kids do not have the ability to participate in STEM extra curricular activities. Those activities require time, money, and transportation. Yes, many programs offer scholarships for under privileged kids but the child still has to get to the class, which requires transportation and someone to drop off and pick up. Not every child has that ability. Not every ES has the same STEM after school programs.

In my son's middle school, there is an after school bus, and the activities are free.

Which middle school?

Longfellow middle school also has late buses 3 days a week at 4:30 PM

Which activities are free?

Virtually all after-school clubs, as well as late buses, are free.

Not every school has the same clubs offered, which is why extra curricular activities and out of school enrichments should not be included in the application. If FCPS offered the same programs at every MS and ES it would be cool to use those in an application but with PTAs funding programs, there are more options and higher quality options at higher SES schools then poorer schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And this is the statement that Parents and students signed on the application. The admissions office could remove students after admission, but it's highly unlikely they will actually go through with it.


Applicant: Please select the Applicant Electronic Signature Checkbox beside the legal affidavit statement signifying that you are ready to electronically sign the Application.

I understand and acknowledge that the responses and information provided in this application are accurate. I also acknowledge that all writing administrations (collectively "Tests") are considered confidential and are the sole property of Fairfax County Public Schools ("FCPS"). I promise to maintain the Tests as confidential, and I agree not to disclose or discuss any part of the Tests with anyone other than my parents. I understand and accept that if FCPS determines that I have not adhered to the foregoing obligations, I may be: (i) removed from the TJ admissions process; (ii) prohibited from accepting an offer of admission, if one is extended; (iii) ineligible to reapply to TJ; and (iv) removed from TJ as a student in the event FCPS determines that I have violated the foregoing, after I have been admitted to TJ and/or while I am attending TJ as a student.I hereby approve my Application for admission for the Class of 2026 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. I further certify that currently I reside full-time in a TJHSST participating school division.

Parent/Guardian, when the Application is completed (including math verification by the TJHSST School Liaison Counselor and electronic signature), the 'Submit' button will be activated and ready for processing. Please "SUBMIT" when the button is available. If you have any questions regarding this process, please refer to the 'Contact Us' tab at the top of the screen.

Parent/Guardian: Please select the Parent/Guardian Electronic Signature Checkbox beside the legal affidavit statement signifying that you are ready to electronically sign the Application.

I, the parent of the above student, confirm that I have read and understand my child’s acknowledgement and agreement (including possible consequences for non-compliance), as set forth above. I agree that the responses and information provided in this application are accurate. I also agree to hold in confidence any information which I receive about the Tests (as defined above).I hereby approve the Application for admission of my child for the Class of 2026 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. I further certify that my child resides with me and that I currently reside full-time in a TJHSST participating school division.

This is why it’s unethical to have a copy of the test. Students and parents sign a document agreeing to never discuss the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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I don't see TJ as a place that should demand that 13 year olds have already devoted their childhood to STEM but should be a place for kids who are smart and motivated and interested in STEM to attend. I also see that many kids do not have the ability to participate in STEM extra curricular activities. Those activities require time, money, and transportation. Yes, many programs offer scholarships for under privileged kids but the child still has to get to the class, which requires transportation and someone to drop off and pick up. Not every child has that ability. Not every ES has the same STEM after school programs.

In my son's middle school, there is an after school bus, and the activities are free.

Which middle school?

Longfellow middle school also has late buses 3 days a week at 4:30 PM

Which activities are free?

Virtually all after-school clubs, as well as late buses, are free.

This. I've never understood the reasoning that kids from lower SES schools shouldn't be expected to participate in STEM extracurriculars. Every single FCPS middle school has some STEM extracurriculars, free clubs, and free after school buses. Even Whitman MS has a STEAM club, a coding club, and an environmental science club.

[Anonymous]

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What are you going to do about how there was no proctoring? Many kids/parents may have cheated. Who knows.

Considering how heavily the essays are weighted, this is the most worrisome aspect of the application. Parents or tutors could have written the essays or heavily proofread. Kids could have been chatting about the problem solving essay on discord while the essay was happening. Kids who took the test on the make up date most likely already knew the test questions beforehand.

All of this is combined with pandemic inflated GPAs, that also may have been the result of cheating during distance learning.

If they prepared for essays, that means they are serious with the opportunity studying in TJ. Nothing to blame. Students also prepare essays for their university applications. I didn't spend efforts with my child's essay. I wish I had.

Preparing for the essays with the info given by the admissions office is fine.

Bringing in notes and/or contacting others during/after the essay is not fine.

Don’t always think it is wrong to prepare test or essay. There are dishonest people but most people just want to work hard to achieve their goals, which is sincerely much better than waiting for others to feed them.

It’s wrong to prepare for some tests. Cogat. The old TJ test.

It is not wrong to prepare for the tests. It shows the kid is interested and hard working to achieve their goals. We all have prepared for tests whether it is SAT or GRE and other tests. We prepare for job interviews too. Going without preparation is bad. You don't send people to war without proper training, you don't let people fly without proper training and education. Preparation is key for success.

These aren’t SAT/GRE.

Those tests are designed for kids not to prepare.

It’s unethical to prepare for them.

Same thing. These test preparation centers are not preparing to answer specific questions. They teach how to breakdown a problem, solve, and write effectively with facts. These skills are not needed just for TJ test these are useful throughout life whether they go to TJ or not. They provide good foundation for success. We have seen at our workplace where people cannot interpret data, cannot write a proper sentence. They put question mark for statements and no question mark for questions.....Learning how to solve and write effectively is a critical skill for the future. Nothing wrong in filling the gaps the student has to acquire new skillset.

Not ethical to do prep for cogat.

And not ethical to see prior-year questions for the old, supposedly-confidential TJ test.

Those are two very different things. If something is confidential it isn't ethical to share it. What is unethical, tough, about being prepared?

Using resources that were illegally obtained and/or not available to all.

One can legally buy a Cogat test prep book on Amazon or at a local store. Legally obtained and available to all. How, then, is that unethical?

Feel free to keep changing the reasoning for why it's unethical to be prepared, but the fact is you don't have a good argument. It is never unethical to be prepared.

The sample confidential TJ questions were illegally obtained.

The CogAT was designed not to be prepped.

Thanks for demonstrating that some parents will go to any lengths to cheat the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't see TJ as a place that should demand that 13 year olds have already devoted their childhood to STEM but should be a place for kids who are smart and motivated and interested in STEM to attend. I also see that many kids do not have the ability to participate in STEM extra curricular activities. Those activities require time, money, and transportation. Yes, many programs offer scholarships for under privileged kids but the child still has to get to the class, which requires transportation and someone to drop off and pick up. Not every child has that ability. Not every ES has the same STEM after school programs.

In my son's middle school, there is an after school bus, and the activities are free.

Which middle school?

Longfellow middle school also has late buses 3 days a week at 4:30 PM

Which activities are free?

Virtually all after-school clubs, as well as late buses, are free.

Not every school has the same clubs offered, which is why extra curricular activities and out of school enrichments should not be included in the application. If FCPS offered the same programs at every MS and ES it would be cool to use those in an application but with PTAs funding programs, there are more options and higher quality options at higher SES schools then poorer schools.

Why should every school need to have the exact same programs? Each child should be evaluated on what impact they have in the STEM activities available at their school. The Whitman kid who is doing cool things in one of their STEM clubs should be evaluated comparably to a Math or Science champion at Longfellow and should be ranked higher than kids at Whitman not doing STEM or kids at Longfellow in 3 STEM ECs, but who haven't accomplished anything of note.

This makes more sense than ignoring ECs altogether.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't see TJ as a place that should demand that 13 year olds have already devoted their childhood to STEM but should be a place for kids who are smart and motivated and interested in STEM to attend. I also see that many kids do not have the ability to participate in STEM extra curricular activities. Those activities require time, money, and transportation. Yes, many programs offer scholarships for under privileged kids but the child still has to get to the class, which requires transportation and someone to drop off and pick up. Not every child has that ability. Not every ES has the same STEM after school programs.

In my son's middle school, there is an after school bus, and the activities are free.

Which middle school?

Longfellow middle school also has late buses 3 days a week at 4:30 PM

Which activities are free?

Virtually all after-school clubs, as well as late buses, are free.

Not every school has the same clubs offered, which is why extra curricular activities and out of school enrichments should not be included in the application. If FCPS offered the same programs at every MS and ES it would be cool to use those in an application but with PTAs funding programs, there are more options and higher quality options at higher SES schools then poorer schools.

Exactly.

Not every school offers the same ECs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't see TJ as a place that should demand that 13 year olds have already devoted their childhood to STEM but should be a place for kids who are smart and motivated and interested in STEM to attend. I also see that many kids do not have the ability to participate in STEM extra curricular activities. Those activities require time, money, and transportation. Yes, many programs offer scholarships for under privileged kids but the child still has to get to the class, which requires transportation and someone to drop off and pick up. Not every child has that ability. Not every ES has the same STEM after school programs.

In my son's middle school, there is an after school bus, and the activities are free.

Which middle school?

Longfellow middle school also has late buses 3 days a week at 4:30 PM

Which activities are free?

Virtually all after-school clubs, as well as late buses, are free.

Not every school has the same clubs offered, which is why extra curricular activities and out of school enrichments should not be included in the application. If FCPS offered the same programs at every MS and ES it would be cool to use those in an application but with PTAs funding programs, there are more options and higher quality options at higher SES schools then poorer schools.

Why should every school need to have the exact same programs? Each child should be evaluated on what impact they have in the STEM activities available at their school. The Whitman kid who is doing cool things in one of their STEM clubs should be evaluated comparably to a Math or Science champion at Longfellow and should be ranked higher than kids at Whitman not doing STEM or kids at Longfellow in 3 STEM ECs, but who haven't accomplished anything of note.

This makes more sense than ignoring ECs altogether.

Do you really trust club sponsors if admission to TJ depends on membership?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is the statement that Parents and students signed on the application. The admissions office could remove students after admission, but it's highly unlikely they will actually go through with it.


Applicant: Please select the Applicant Electronic Signature Checkbox beside the legal affidavit statement signifying that you are ready to electronically sign the Application.

I understand and acknowledge that the responses and information provided in this application are accurate. I also acknowledge that all writing administrations (collectively "Tests") are considered confidential and are the sole property of Fairfax County Public Schools ("FCPS"). I promise to maintain the Tests as confidential, and I agree not to disclose or discuss any part of the Tests with anyone other than my parents. I understand and accept that if FCPS determines that I have not adhered to the foregoing obligations, I may be: (i) removed from the TJ admissions process; (ii) prohibited from accepting an offer of admission, if one is extended; (iii) ineligible to reapply to TJ; and (iv) removed from TJ as a student in the event FCPS determines that I have violated the foregoing, after I have been admitted to TJ and/or while I am attending TJ as a student.I hereby approve my Application for admission for the Class of 2026 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. I further certify that currently I reside full-time in a TJHSST participating school division.

Parent/Guardian, when the Application is completed (including math verification by the TJHSST School Liaison Counselor and electronic signature), the 'Submit' button will be activated and ready for processing. Please "SUBMIT" when the button is available. If you have any questions regarding this process, please refer to the 'Contact Us' tab at the top of the screen.

Parent/Guardian: Please select the Parent/Guardian Electronic Signature Checkbox beside the legal affidavit statement signifying that you are ready to electronically sign the Application.

I, the parent of the above student, confirm that I have read and understand my child’s acknowledgement and agreement (including possible consequences for non-compliance), as set forth above. I agree that the responses and information provided in this application are accurate. I also agree to hold in confidence any information which I receive about the Tests (as defined above).I hereby approve the Application for admission of my child for the Class of 2026 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. I further certify that my child resides with me and that I currently reside full-time in a TJHSST participating school division.

This is why it’s unethical to have a copy of the test. Students and parents sign a document agreeing to never discuss the test.

They will not remove kids from the class of 2026.

Why? They had the first and last names of the kids that prepped and the online statements from Facebook that kids had a copy of the test. Did FCPS ever do an investigation? Did they remove anyone? They likely made a few quick phone calls to their lawyers, called it an “investigation” and said move along, nothing to see here. Instead, they decided to focus on illegal racial balancing instead of improving the merit-based admissions process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is the statement that Parents and students signed on the application. The admissions office could remove students after admission, but it's highly unlikely they will actually go through with it.


Applicant: Please select the Applicant Electronic Signature Checkbox beside the legal affidavit statement signifying that you are ready to electronically sign the Application.

I understand and acknowledge that the responses and information provided in this application are accurate. I also acknowledge that all writing administrations (collectively "Tests") are considered confidential and are the sole property of Fairfax County Public Schools ("FCPS"). I promise to maintain the Tests as confidential, and I agree not to disclose or discuss any part of the Tests with anyone other than my parents. I understand and accept that if FCPS determines that I have not adhered to the foregoing obligations, I may be: (i) removed from the TJ admissions process; (ii) prohibited from accepting an offer of admission, if one is extended; (iii) ineligible to reapply to TJ; and (iv) removed from TJ as a student in the event FCPS determines that I have violated the foregoing, after I have been admitted to TJ and/or while I am attending TJ as a student.I hereby approve my Application for admission for the Class of 2026 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. I further certify that currently I reside full-time in a TJHSST participating school division.

Parent/Guardian, when the Application is completed (including math verification by the TJHSST School Liaison Counselor and electronic signature), the 'Submit' button will be activated and ready for processing. Please "SUBMIT" when the button is available. If you have any questions regarding this process, please refer to the 'Contact Us' tab at the top of the screen.

Parent/Guardian: Please select the Parent/Guardian Electronic Signature Checkbox beside the legal affidavit statement signifying that you are ready to electronically sign the Application.

I, the parent of the above student, confirm that I have read and understand my child’s acknowledgement and agreement (including possible consequences for non-compliance), as set forth above. I agree that the responses and information provided in this application are accurate. I also agree to hold in confidence any information which I receive about the Tests (as defined above).I hereby approve the Application for admission of my child for the Class of 2026 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. I further certify that my child resides with me and that I currently reside full-time in a TJHSST participating school division.

This is why it’s unethical to have a copy of the test. Students and parents sign a document agreeing to never discuss the test.

They will not remove kids from the class of 2026.

Why? They had the first and last names of the kids that prepped and the online statements from Facebook that kids had a copy of the test. Did FCPS ever do an investigation? Did they remove anyone? They likely made a few quick phone calls to their lawyers, called it an “investigation” and said move along, nothing to see here. Instead, they decided to focus on illegal racial balancing instead of improving the merit-based admissions process.

Maybe it should just be a lottery of qualified applicants. We’ve spent way too much energy on these cheaters. Take away all opportunities to cheat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't see TJ as a place that should demand that 13 year olds have already devoted their childhood to STEM but should be a place for kids who are smart and motivated and interested in STEM to attend. I also see that many kids do not have the ability to participate in STEM extra curricular activities. Those activities require time, money, and transportation. Yes, many programs offer scholarships for under privileged kids but the child still has to get to the class, which requires transportation and someone to drop off and pick up. Not every child has that ability. Not every ES has the same STEM after school programs.

In my son's middle school, there is an after school bus, and the activities are free.

Which middle school?

Longfellow middle school also has late buses 3 days a week at 4:30 PM

Which activities are free?

Virtually all after-school clubs, as well as late buses, are free.

Not every school has the same clubs offered, which is why extra curricular activities and out of school enrichments should not be included in the application. If FCPS offered the same programs at every MS and ES it would be cool to use those in an application but with PTAs funding programs, there are more options and higher quality options at higher SES schools then poorer schools.

Exactly.

Not every school offers the same ECs.

Some teachers grade more strictly than others. Should we disregard GPA as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I don't see TJ as a place that should demand that 13 year olds have already devoted their childhood to STEM but should be a place for kids who are smart and motivated and interested in STEM to attend. I also see that many kids do not have the ability to participate in STEM extra curricular activities. Those activities require time, money, and transportation. Yes, many programs offer scholarships for under privileged kids but the child still has to get to the class, which requires transportation and someone to drop off and pick up. Not every child has that ability. Not every ES has the same STEM after school programs.

Why opportunities should be given to kids who didn't devote to STEM before and their parents were not willing to pay time and efforts on their children's education?
Everybody has 24 hours a day. It's equal. The diligent parents do their own full time work and also spend a lot of time and efforts on their children's education. The diligent students spend time on study while other kids spend time on party. Why they should be penalized for the diligent work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Don’t be obtuse.

We don’t need to hear your twisted rationalizations for cheating.

Calling me obtuse and my arguments twisted doesn't make it so. Why not just clearly point out the flaws in my reasoning if they're so evident to you?

[Anonymous]

When diligent guys were hurt woo much and decide to leave, who will feed those people with crazy minds that they can get everything without paying anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't see TJ as a place that should demand that 13 year olds have already devoted their childhood to STEM but should be a place for kids who are smart and motivated and interested in STEM to attend. I also see that many kids do not have the ability to participate in STEM extra curricular activities. Those activities require time, money, and transportation. Yes, many programs offer scholarships for under privileged kids but the child still has to get to the class, which requires transportation and someone to drop off and pick up. Not every child has that ability. Not every ES has the same STEM after school programs.

Why opportunities should be given to kids who didn't devote to STEM before and their parents were not willing to pay time and efforts on their children's education?
Everybody has 24 hours a day. It's equal. The diligent parents do their own full time work and also spend a lot of time and efforts on their children's education. The diligent students spend time on study while other kids spend time on party. Why they should be penalized for the diligent work?

This quote highlights the mentality of many in the status-quo community. For them, TJ is a reward for what they consider to be acceptable or correct parenting.

They also create this false dichotomy between students who engage with academics in exactly the same way that they do and students who spend all their time partying or playing video games.

If you have spent any reasonable amount of time with the Class of 2025, you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that these students are not spending all of their time partying and playing video games.

It's part and parcel of the very limited world view and understanding that the GOP operatives play on to convince these folks that something that's "rightfully theirs" is being stolen from them.

And by the way - Trump's SCOTUS appointees had a chance to shut it down and did nothing. And Youngkin has done nothing, in spite of the fact that the Class of 2027 application cycle is beginning BEFORE the case finally gets heard by the Fourth Circuit - never mind when it will make it back to SCOTUS.

You all got played, and the result will be that your children will be less safe and that public schools will be less funded.