Alexandria's ban on Thomas Jefferson magnet school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at TJ and there are definitely highly educated parents with smart kids refusing to buy in Alexandria because of the schools in general and TJ policy specifically. As in, I personally know several people in my neighborhood who avoids ACPS when house hunting. Because the schools. TJ improves the AAP middle schools as kids work towards applying. And kids who just miss TJ attend Oakton, McLean, Langley, Chantilly and form a smart, motivated core in the top 10% of their class. (I have one of these kids too).

Not having access to TJ hurts ACPS and Alexandria property values. We are looking at moving to Alexandria— after our kids start college and we don’t have to put them in the school system or pay for private.

But, I’m fine with ACPS doing it’s own thing. TJ has a 15% admit rate. There are plenty of smart, motivated FCPS kids to fill the slots ACPS isn’t using.

People do this, yes, but anyone who doesn't buy in Alexandria because of the TJ policy really needs a reality check.

I just heard terrible things about the schools overall - especially TC Williams. I have friends that moved to get away from TC Williams.

Funny, I've heard nothing but good things about TC Williams. They seem to do a good job supporting motivated, high-achieving students. It's the middle school that's the weakest link.

If you've heard nothing but good things about TC, then you've only been listening to Pete & Tammy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why? It makes no sense? It's so close to Alexandria. I'm surprised Amazon didn't demand Alexandria participate. Hopefully soon Loudoun will leave freeing up space for Alexandria to join in. That makes much more sense.

ACPS's non-participation has nothing to do with "space" taken up by other localities. ACPS knows that it's highest-achieving students would bolt for TJ as soon as they have the opportunity, rather than stick around TCW. At least if families interested in TJ move to Fairfax or Arlington, they can at least spin the decisions ("they wanted more space, a larger yard, closer to parents' work, etc") in ways they can't if the student straight-up opt out of TC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at TJ and there are definitely highly educated parents with smart kids refusing to buy in Alexandria because of the schools in general and TJ policy specifically. As in, I personally know several people in my neighborhood who avoids ACPS when house hunting. Because the schools. TJ improves the AAP middle schools as kids work towards applying. And kids who just miss TJ attend Oakton, McLean, Langley, Chantilly and form a smart, motivated core in the top 10% of their class. (I have one of these kids too).

Not having access to TJ hurts ACPS and Alexandria property values. We are looking at moving to Alexandria— after our kids start college and we don’t have to put them in the school system or pay for private.

But, I’m fine with ACPS doing it’s own thing. TJ has a 15% admit rate. There are plenty of smart, motivated FCPS kids to fill the slots ACPS isn’t using.

People do this, yes, but anyone who doesn't buy in Alexandria because of the TJ policy really needs a reality check.

I just heard terrible things about the schools overall - especially TC Williams. I have friends that moved to get away from TC Williams.

Funny, I've heard nothing but good things about TC Williams. They seem to do a good job supporting motivated, high-achieving students. It's the middle school that's the weakest link.

If you've heard nothing but good things about TC, then you've only been listening to Pete & Tammy.

I'm not catching the reference, but to respond to another PP on this point, yes, I suspect my children will be a part of the "Yale" cohort, not the "jail" cohort. Hearing from families who have high-achievers at TC has done a lot to assuage many concerns I had with TC.