Why do some parents so obsessed with TJ?

[Anonymous]

Time for the year to all disappointments and angry parents who the kid can’t make it to TJ.

We will bear all your mean words to us.

Hope it won’t last too long, and I sincerely hope your kids thriving to wherever they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will TJ boost your children's possibility of getting admission from a top college?

The top 10-20% will have a much better chance of getting into Ivy+ but at least 80% of the parents think their kids will be in that top 10-20%

[Anonymous]

This forum is not convincing me TJ is worth it beyond the right fit for unique kids who need the academic hyperfocus. (That can be great for super smart kids, but unique also being good and bad, as in possible weirdo later in life). Also, the English written here by some self-identified TJ parents is incredibly poor. Seriously asking: does this community resemble normal life or is it surreal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This forum is not convincing me TJ is worth it beyond the right fit for unique kids who need the academic hyperfocus. (That can be great for super smart kids, but unique also being good and bad, as in possible weirdo later in life). Also, the English written here by some self-identified TJ parents is incredibly poor. Seriously asking: does this community resemble normal life or is it surreal?

A significant part of the TJ community is multilingual, with many families speaking a language other than English at home. During last fall’s inaugural session for the incoming class, the principal shared that TJ families speak over 40 different languages at home.

Our family is of Irish descent, and to this day, we regret not being able to speak Irish (Gaeilge), a language that was never passed down by my immigrant great-grandfather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going to TJ means you get an A+ as a parent and you get to put a TJ sticker on the car to tell everyone about your A+ parenting skills.

It’s a magnet, actually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This forum is not convincing me TJ is worth it beyond the right fit for unique kids who need the academic hyperfocus. (That can be great for super smart kids, but unique also being good and bad, as in possible weirdo later in life). Also, the English written here by some self-identified TJ parents is incredibly poor. Seriously asking: does this community resemble normal life or is it surreal?

There are immigrant communities where parents give up prestiges jobs in their home country to come to the US for improved education and opportunities for their kids. People who were Doctors or Lawyers who come to the US knowing that their degrees and licenses will not follow them and so they work “lesser” jobs. Many families in that position focus on schools like TJ as a way to help their kid go to great colleges and become Doctors and Lawyers in the US and live a better life.

It would be interesting to see a break down of TJ based on if the family is an immigrant family, first generation, or second generation American. I would guess that there are higher then normal numbers of immigrant and first generation American families at TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This forum is not convincing me TJ is worth it beyond the right fit for unique kids who need the academic hyperfocus. (That can be great for super smart kids, but unique also being good and bad, as in possible weirdo later in life). Also, the English written here by some self-identified TJ parents is incredibly poor. Seriously asking: does this community resemble normal life or is it surreal?

English is not a native language of majority of TJ parents, and alot of them also speak multiple languages.
My english is also poor, but I speak very fluent in 2 other different languages.
My kid is different, their english is perfect, and sometimes they corrected me, but thats all. I regret to never taught them my native language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This forum is not convincing me TJ is worth it beyond the right fit for unique kids who need the academic hyperfocus. (That can be great for super smart kids, but unique also being good and bad, as in possible weirdo later in life). Also, the English written here by some self-identified TJ parents is incredibly poor. Seriously asking: does this community resemble normal life or is it surreal?

Other posters have replied to your question about the English issues. I’ll just say that your first line is right - but either way the addition of pointing out that it still has all the other EC elements of a typical HS. This was a part I was worried about when DD was considering but TJ has dances, sports, band, clubs etc etc. Most kids have a very active involvement in TJ beyond just the classes there, making it a more well rounded experience for them than I had assumed before my kid went. But it’s not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Make sure your child can handle the academic rigor at TJ first—everything else, like sports, clubs, music, and other activities, can be added in easily anytime. But if academics tank, misery and tears takeover.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This forum is not convincing me TJ is worth it beyond the right fit for unique kids who need the academic hyperfocus. (That can be great for super smart kids, but unique also being good and bad, as in possible weirdo later in life). Also, the English written here by some self-identified TJ parents is incredibly poor. Seriously asking: does this community resemble normal life or is it surreal?

There are immigrant communities where parents give up prestiges jobs in their home country to come to the US for improved education and opportunities for their kids. People who were Doctors or Lawyers who come to the US knowing that their degrees and licenses will not follow them and so they work “lesser” jobs. Many families in that position focus on schools like TJ as a way to help their kid go to great colleges and become Doctors and Lawyers in the US and live a better life.

It would be interesting to see a break down of TJ based on if the family is an immigrant family, first generation, or second generation American. I would guess that there are higher then normal numbers of immigrant and first generation American families at TJ.

TJ is 81% minority students at present.

[Anonymous]

Any families have made the decision to reject TJ offer? And why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any families have made the decision to reject TJ offer? And why?

Those certain about attending are accepting their offers as and when their last few questions/doubts get cleared up. Those unsure are in no hurry to decline and will likely wait until the May 14th deadline, allowing the offer to expire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going to TJ means you get an A+ as a parent and you get to put a TJ sticker on the car to tell everyone about your A+ parenting skills.

um . . . thanks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Going to TJ means you get an A+ as a parent and you get to put a TJ sticker on the car to tell everyone about your A+ parenting skills.

There are thousands of full A middle schooler with inflated grades
It's a lottery process. People all know this
Who would give it a shit to a TJ parent car sticker?

You are misinformed. They select the top 1.5%. The very very best only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Going to TJ means you get an A+ as a parent and you get to put a TJ sticker on the car to tell everyone about your A+ parenting skills.

There are thousands of full A middle schooler with inflated grades
It's a lottery process. People all know this
Who would give it a shit to a TJ parent car sticker?

You are misinformed. They select the top 1.5%. The very very best only.

The top 1.5% at some middle schools that aren’t AAP centers wouldn’t even be the top third at the stronger AAP center middle schools.