Waitlisted at TJ - now what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - easier to see:

All FCPS middle schools are represented in the Class of ‘26.
Carson Middle School (50)
Cooper Middle School (16)
Frost Middle School (24)
Glasgow Middle School (13)
Kilmer Middle School (12)
Lake Braddock Middle School (16)
Longfellow Middle School (37)
Rocky Run Middle School (24)
Sandburg Middle School (12)
Twain Middle School (16)
All other middle schools had 10 or fewer offers.
Economically disadvantaged students comprise 20.73% of the class of ‘26.
5.09% of offered students are English Language Learners.
Female students represent 55.45% of all offers.
Black students received 5.82% of offers.
Hispanic students received 8.18% of offers.
White students received 21.27% of offers.
Asian students received 59.82% of offers.
97.09% of offered students come from public schools.

So the largest cohort feels they're being discriminated against? I could understand parents of black students maybe being upset but seriously 59% vs 5%...

The issue, as I understand it, is that there are a series of text messages, emails, and comments that indicate that the Board was using anti-Asian language when discussing the changes. While the Asian population remains over represented, the anti-Asian language was racist and is unacceptable. The Board could have moved to include more URM while not discussing the changes using clearly racist language towards the majority population at the school.

The text messages - if you actually read them - indicate concern amongst the board members that the changes could be PERCEIVED as anti-Asian. The language itself isn't actually anti-Asian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - easier to see:

All FCPS middle schools are represented in the Class of ‘26.
Carson Middle School (50)
Cooper Middle School (16)
Frost Middle School (24)
Glasgow Middle School (13)
Kilmer Middle School (12)
Lake Braddock Middle School (16)
Longfellow Middle School (37)
Rocky Run Middle School (24)
Sandburg Middle School (12)
Twain Middle School (16)
All other middle schools had 10 or fewer offers.
Economically disadvantaged students comprise 20.73% of the class of ‘26.
5.09% of offered students are English Language Learners.
Female students represent 55.45% of all offers.
Black students received 5.82% of offers.
Hispanic students received 8.18% of offers.
White students received 21.27% of offers.
Asian students received 59.82% of offers.
97.09% of offered students come from public schools.

So the largest cohort feels they're being discriminated against? I could understand parents of black students maybe being upset but seriously 59% vs 5%...

The issue, as I understand it, is that there are a series of text messages, emails, and comments that indicate that the Board was using anti-Asian language when discussing the changes. While the Asian population remains over represented, the anti-Asian language was racist and is unacceptable. The Board could have moved to include more URM while not discussing the changes using clearly racist language towards the majority population at the school.

Perhaps, but given the outcome that clearly isn't the case.

Racism and Racist language can still exist even when the majority group is of that race. The percentage of Asians at TJ has decreased, which is going to happen as kids from non-traditional schools are accepted. The language that was used was awful and undermines what the School Board is trying to accomplish.

To what language are you referring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - easier to see:

All FCPS middle schools are represented in the Class of ‘26.
Carson Middle School (50)
Cooper Middle School (16)
Frost Middle School (24)
Glasgow Middle School (13)
Kilmer Middle School (12)
Lake Braddock Middle School (16)
Longfellow Middle School (37)
Rocky Run Middle School (24)
Sandburg Middle School (12)
Twain Middle School (16)
All other middle schools had 10 or fewer offers.
Economically disadvantaged students comprise 20.73% of the class of ‘26.
5.09% of offered students are English Language Learners.
Female students represent 55.45% of all offers.
Black students received 5.82% of offers.
Hispanic students received 8.18% of offers.
White students received 21.27% of offers.
Asian students received 59.82% of offers.
97.09% of offered students come from public schools.

Where are you getting this data from? Is this for the call of 2026?

Yes. It's from the FCPS press release... which is somewhat less complete than other years. https://www.fcps.edu/news/thomas-jefferson-high-school-continues-increase-access-all

Most disappointing to me is the fact that they didn't release application breakdowns, which is new from previous years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - easier to see:

All FCPS middle schools are represented in the Class of ‘26.
Carson Middle School (50)
Cooper Middle School (16)
Frost Middle School (24)
Glasgow Middle School (13)
Kilmer Middle School (12)
Lake Braddock Middle School (16)
Longfellow Middle School (37)
Rocky Run Middle School (24)
Sandburg Middle School (12)
Twain Middle School (16)
All other middle schools had 10 or fewer offers.
Economically disadvantaged students comprise 20.73% of the class of ‘26.
5.09% of offered students are English Language Learners.
Female students represent 55.45% of all offers.
Black students received 5.82% of offers.
Hispanic students received 8.18% of offers.
White students received 21.27% of offers.
Asian students received 59.82% of offers.
97.09% of offered students come from public schools.

So the largest cohort feels they're being discriminated against? I could understand parents of black students maybe being upset but seriously 59% vs 5%...

The issue, as I understand it, is that there are a series of text messages, emails, and comments that indicate that the Board was using anti-Asian language when discussing the changes. While the Asian population remains over represented, the anti-Asian language was racist and is unacceptable. The Board could have moved to include more URM while not discussing the changes using clearly racist language towards the majority population at the school.

Perhaps, but given the outcome that clearly isn't the case.

Racism and Racist language can still exist even when the majority group is of that race. The percentage of Asians at TJ has decreased, which is going to happen as kids from non-traditional schools are accepted. The language that was used was awful and undermines what the School Board is trying to accomplish.

To what language are you referring?

There was a FOIA request regarding the discussion behind the TJ Admission change. It included all the text messages, emails, and notes from School Board meetings. Someone here can probably bring up the document that came from that pretty easily. Board members were pretty willing to use their official accounts to discuss the change that included plenty of language and stereotypes that were anti-Asian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - easier to see:

All FCPS middle schools are represented in the Class of ‘26.
Carson Middle School (50)
Cooper Middle School (16)
Frost Middle School (24)
Glasgow Middle School (13)
Kilmer Middle School (12)
Lake Braddock Middle School (16)
Longfellow Middle School (37)
Rocky Run Middle School (24)
Sandburg Middle School (12)
Twain Middle School (16)
All other middle schools had 10 or fewer offers.
Economically disadvantaged students comprise 20.73% of the class of ‘26.
5.09% of offered students are English Language Learners.
Female students represent 55.45% of all offers.
Black students received 5.82% of offers.
Hispanic students received 8.18% of offers.
White students received 21.27% of offers.
Asian students received 59.82% of offers.
97.09% of offered students come from public schools.

So the largest cohort feels they're being discriminated against? I could understand parents of black students maybe being upset but seriously 59% vs 5%...

The issue, as I understand it, is that there are a series of text messages, emails, and comments that indicate that the Board was using anti-Asian language when discussing the changes. While the Asian population remains over represented, the anti-Asian language was racist and is unacceptable. The Board could have moved to include more URM while not discussing the changes using clearly racist language towards the majority population at the school.

Perhaps, but given the outcome that clearly isn't the case.

Racism and Racist language can still exist even when the majority group is of that race. The percentage of Asians at TJ has decreased, which is going to happen as kids from non-traditional schools are accepted. The language that was used was awful and undermines what the School Board is trying to accomplish.

To what language are you referring?

There was a FOIA request regarding the discussion behind the TJ Admission change. It included all the text messages, emails, and notes from School Board meetings. Someone here can probably bring up the document that came from that pretty easily. Board members were pretty willing to use their official accounts to discuss the change that included plenty of language and stereotypes that were anti-Asian.

I've read them all - the so-called "TJ Papers". The most damning thing that exists in them is school board members talking about how insensitive they felt Brabrand was in the way he discussed TJ prep culture in public commentary. That's all there is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - easier to see:

All FCPS middle schools are represented in the Class of ‘26.
Carson Middle School (50)
Cooper Middle School (16)
Frost Middle School (24)
Glasgow Middle School (13)
Kilmer Middle School (12)
Lake Braddock Middle School (16)
Longfellow Middle School (37)
Rocky Run Middle School (24)
Sandburg Middle School (12)
Twain Middle School (16)
All other middle schools had 10 or fewer offers.
Economically disadvantaged students comprise 20.73% of the class of ‘26.
5.09% of offered students are English Language Learners.
Female students represent 55.45% of all offers.
Black students received 5.82% of offers.
Hispanic students received 8.18% of offers.
White students received 21.27% of offers.
Asian students received 59.82% of offers.
97.09% of offered students come from public schools.

Where are you getting this data from? Is this for the call of 2026?

Yes. It's from the FCPS press release... which is somewhat less complete than other years. https://www.fcps.edu/news/thomas-jefferson-high-school-continues-increase-access-all

Most disappointing to me is the fact that they didn't release application breakdowns, which is new from previous years.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - easier to see:

All FCPS middle schools are represented in the Class of ‘26.
Carson Middle School (50)
Cooper Middle School (16)
Frost Middle School (24)
Glasgow Middle School (13)
Kilmer Middle School (12)
Lake Braddock Middle School (16)
Longfellow Middle School (37)
Rocky Run Middle School (24)
Sandburg Middle School (12)
Twain Middle School (16)
All other middle schools had 10 or fewer offers.
Economically disadvantaged students comprise 20.73% of the class of ‘26.
5.09% of offered students are English Language Learners.
Female students represent 55.45% of all offers.
Black students received 5.82% of offers.
Hispanic students received 8.18% of offers.
White students received 21.27% of offers.
Asian students received 59.82% of offers.
97.09% of offered students come from public schools.

So the largest cohort feels they're being discriminated against? I could understand parents of black students maybe being upset but seriously 59% vs 5%...

The issue, as I understand it, is that there are a series of text messages, emails, and comments that indicate that the Board was using anti-Asian language when discussing the changes. While the Asian population remains over represented, the anti-Asian language was racist and is unacceptable. The Board could have moved to include more URM while not discussing the changes using clearly racist language towards the majority population at the school.

Perhaps, but given the outcome that clearly isn't the case.

Racism and Racist language can still exist even when the majority group is of that race. The percentage of Asians at TJ has decreased, which is going to happen as kids from non-traditional schools are accepted. The language that was used was awful and undermines what the School Board is trying to accomplish.

To what language are you referring?

There was a FOIA request regarding the discussion behind the TJ Admission change. It included all the text messages, emails, and notes from School Board meetings. Someone here can probably bring up the document that came from that pretty easily. Board members were pretty willing to use their official accounts to discuss the change that included plenty of language and stereotypes that were anti-Asian.

I've read them all - the so-called "TJ Papers". The most damning thing that exists in them is school board members talking about how insensitive they felt Brabrand was in the way he discussed TJ prep culture in public commentary. That's all there is.

You must be blind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - easier to see:

All FCPS middle schools are represented in the Class of ‘26.
Carson Middle School (50)
Cooper Middle School (16)
Frost Middle School (24)
Glasgow Middle School (13)
Kilmer Middle School (12)
Lake Braddock Middle School (16)
Longfellow Middle School (37)
Rocky Run Middle School (24)
Sandburg Middle School (12)
Twain Middle School (16)
All other middle schools had 10 or fewer offers.
Economically disadvantaged students comprise 20.73% of the class of ‘26.
5.09% of offered students are English Language Learners.
Female students represent 55.45% of all offers.
Black students received 5.82% of offers.
Hispanic students received 8.18% of offers.
White students received 21.27% of offers.
Asian students received 59.82% of offers.
97.09% of offered students come from public schools.

So the largest cohort feels they're being discriminated against? I could understand parents of black students maybe being upset but seriously 59% vs 5%...

The issue, as I understand it, is that there are a series of text messages, emails, and comments that indicate that the Board was using anti-Asian language when discussing the changes. While the Asian population remains over represented, the anti-Asian language was racist and is unacceptable. The Board could have moved to include more URM while not discussing the changes using clearly racist language towards the majority population at the school.

Perhaps, but given the outcome that clearly isn't the case.

Racism and Racist language can still exist even when the majority group is of that race. The percentage of Asians at TJ has decreased, which is going to happen as kids from non-traditional schools are accepted. The language that was used was awful and undermines what the School Board is trying to accomplish.

To what language are you referring?

There was a FOIA request regarding the discussion behind the TJ Admission change. It included all the text messages, emails, and notes from School Board meetings. Someone here can probably bring up the document that came from that pretty easily. Board members were pretty willing to use their official accounts to discuss the change that included plenty of language and stereotypes that were anti-Asian.

I've read them all - the so-called "TJ Papers". The most damning thing that exists in them is school board members talking about how insensitive they felt Brabrand was in the way he discussed TJ prep culture in public commentary. That's all there is.

You must be blind.

Feel free to actually present a counter-argument if you have one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - easier to see:

All FCPS middle schools are represented in the Class of ‘26.
Carson Middle School (50)
Cooper Middle School (16)
Frost Middle School (24)
Glasgow Middle School (13)
Kilmer Middle School (12)
Lake Braddock Middle School (16)
Longfellow Middle School (37)
Rocky Run Middle School (24)
Sandburg Middle School (12)
Twain Middle School (16)
All other middle schools had 10 or fewer offers.
Economically disadvantaged students comprise 20.73% of the class of ‘26.
5.09% of offered students are English Language Learners.
Female students represent 55.45% of all offers.
Black students received 5.82% of offers.
Hispanic students received 8.18% of offers.
White students received 21.27% of offers.
Asian students received 59.82% of offers.
97.09% of offered students come from public schools.

So the largest cohort feels they're being discriminated against? I could understand parents of black students maybe being upset but seriously 59% vs 5%...

The issue, as I understand it, is that there are a series of text messages, emails, and comments that indicate that the Board was using anti-Asian language when discussing the changes. While the Asian population remains over represented, the anti-Asian language was racist and is unacceptable. The Board could have moved to include more URM while not discussing the changes using clearly racist language towards the majority population at the school.

Perhaps, but given the outcome that clearly isn't the case.

Racism and Racist language can still exist even when the majority group is of that race. The percentage of Asians at TJ has decreased, which is going to happen as kids from non-traditional schools are accepted. The language that was used was awful and undermines what the School Board is trying to accomplish.

To what language are you referring?

There was a FOIA request regarding the discussion behind the TJ Admission change. It included all the text messages, emails, and notes from School Board meetings. Someone here can probably bring up the document that came from that pretty easily. Board members were pretty willing to use their official accounts to discuss the change that included plenty of language and stereotypes that were anti-Asian.

I've read them all - the so-called "TJ Papers". The most damning thing that exists in them is school board members talking about how insensitive they felt Brabrand was in the way he discussed TJ prep culture in public commentary. That's all there is.

You must be blind.

Feel free to actually present a counter-argument if you have one.

There is a complete discussion on a separate thread on the "TJ papers". And no, the school board members were not commenting on how insensitive Braband was. They recognized the adverse racial impact of the policy and did nothing about it. And the "LOL" was the cherry on the top.

Spin it whichever way you want to - it is well understood how empathetic/sensitive the school board members were.

[Anonymous]

Can someone post the link to these "TJ Papers?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - easier to see:

All FCPS middle schools are represented in the Class of ‘26.
Carson Middle School (50)
Cooper Middle School (16)
Frost Middle School (24)
Glasgow Middle School (13)
Kilmer Middle School (12)
Lake Braddock Middle School (16)
Longfellow Middle School (37)
Rocky Run Middle School (24)
Sandburg Middle School (12)
Twain Middle School (16)
All other middle schools had 10 or fewer offers.
Economically disadvantaged students comprise 20.73% of the class of ‘26.
5.09% of offered students are English Language Learners.
Female students represent 55.45% of all offers.
Black students received 5.82% of offers.
Hispanic students received 8.18% of offers.
White students received 21.27% of offers.
Asian students received 59.82% of offers.
97.09% of offered students come from public schools.

So the largest cohort feels they're being discriminated against? I could understand parents of black students maybe being upset but seriously 59% vs 5%...

The issue, as I understand it, is that there are a series of text messages, emails, and comments that indicate that the Board was using anti-Asian language when discussing the changes. While the Asian population remains over represented, the anti-Asian language was racist and is unacceptable. The Board could have moved to include more URM while not discussing the changes using clearly racist language towards the majority population at the school.

Perhaps, but given the outcome that clearly isn't the case.

Racism and Racist language can still exist even when the majority group is of that race. The percentage of Asians at TJ has decreased, which is going to happen as kids from non-traditional schools are accepted. The language that was used was awful and undermines what the School Board is trying to accomplish.

To what language are you referring?

There was a FOIA request regarding the discussion behind the TJ Admission change. It included all the text messages, emails, and notes from School Board meetings. Someone here can probably bring up the document that came from that pretty easily. Board members were pretty willing to use their official accounts to discuss the change that included plenty of language and stereotypes that were anti-Asian.

I've read them all - the so-called "TJ Papers". The most damning thing that exists in them is school board members talking about how insensitive they felt Brabrand was in the way he discussed TJ prep culture in public commentary. That's all there is.

You must be blind.

Feel free to actually present a counter-argument if you have one.

There is a complete discussion on a separate thread on the "TJ papers". And no, the school board members were not commenting on how insensitive Braband was. They recognized the adverse racial impact of the policy and did nothing about it. And the "LOL" was the cherry on the top.

Spin it whichever way you want to - it is well understood how empathetic/sensitive the school board members were.

You're going to have to be specific about that. The lol you're referring to was Abrar Omeish having a private conversation with another board member talking literally about how Brabrand's rhetoric could be perceived as anti-Asian - and in a world where people equate the entire prep industry with Asians, I suppose that's legit although it's far from the reality.

No one argues that the school board and superintendent weren't aware of the demographic impact - they were quite public about it in their public hearings. The changes to the admissions process were expressly made for the purpose of improving access for historically excluded populations, a goal which everyone reasonable agrees is a worthy one.

It is a fact of mathematics that when one population is significantly overrepresented, any change to the demographics that is made with an eye toward improving representation for other groups is almost certainly going to impact that overrepresented group.

The fact that some conservative voices have defined those goals as unconstitutional - including a federal judge who has been stuck at the District level for 40 years without advancement - doesn't make them so. Roger Taney used the same logic in the Dred Scott decision.

[Anonymous]

My daughter’s BFF got waitlisted at TJ and went to a Big 3 instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post the link to these "TJ Papers?"

Here’s an earlier thread with a link. The conduct of the School Board was embarrassing: even if you didn’t conclude some were anti-Asian and racist, you might still conclude they were unprincipled and deeply incompetent. The only way these people could ever be re-elected is if there are enough people who just blindly vote for candidates endorsed by the Democrats (in which case they fully deserve four more years of FCPS decline):

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1028206.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post the link to these "TJ Papers?"

Here’s an earlier thread with a link. The conduct of the School Board was embarrassing: even if you didn’t conclude some were anti-Asian and racist, you might still conclude they were unprincipled and deeply incompetent. The only way these people could ever be re-elected is if there are enough people who just blindly vote for candidates endorsed by the Democrats (in which case they fully deserve four more years of FCPS decline):

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1028206.page

I agree the board acted deplorably; nevertheless, with a 59% share of TJ seats I can't take these claims seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post the link to these "TJ Papers?"

Here’s an earlier thread with a link. The conduct of the School Board was embarrassing: even if you didn’t conclude some were anti-Asian and racist, you might still conclude they were unprincipled and deeply incompetent. The only way these people could ever be re-elected is if there are enough people who just blindly vote for candidates endorsed by the Democrats (in which case they fully deserve four more years of FCPS decline):

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1028206.page

I agree the board acted deplorably; nevertheless, with a 59% share of TJ seats I can't take these claims seriously.

Ok. Don’t take them seriously. I don’t think anyone is appealing to you in any case.

The rational majority will speak when the next elections happen.