TJ: Kids having second thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is feeling overwhelmed. We are not using TJ to go to an Ivy. But TJ kids have shown that they are smart and will work hard at advanced topics. But maybe too hard? Too much? TJ parents? What do you think?

Well if you go to Harvard or equivalent you will work too hard too. Oh yeah, if you be successful you will work too hard too. Oh me, too much hard work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is feeling overwhelmed. We are not using TJ to go to an Ivy. But TJ kids have shown that they are smart and will work hard at advanced topics. But maybe too hard? Too much? TJ parents? What do you think?

Well if you go to Harvard or equivalent you will work too hard too. Oh yeah, if you be successful you will work too hard too. Oh me, too much hard work!

L

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm for diversity at TJ. If the Ivies and UVA can do it, TJ can do it too. The WORST thing would be just to let all the best test takers get in based on scores at the expense of diversity. The complete background of the candidate should be taken into consideration as well as their gender and ethnicity. LONG LIVE DIVERSITY!!

I favor diversity, but not quota.

[Anonymous]

There has been a strategy amoung some parents to push their kids far far into math as if that was the one single only thing and o other academic mattered. It takes more than that to succeed at TJ not to mention other aspects of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There has been a strategy amoung some parents to push their kids far far into math as if that was the one single only thing and o other academic mattered. It takes more than that to succeed at TJ not to mention other aspects of life.

Math is a tool for engineering. Without materials (English, Communication, Writing, team work, etc), you can not build a good house (get a good job or get a good pay job).

[Anonymous]

TJ teacher here. There are a lot of misconceptions and prejudices in the comments here, some catalyzed by last spring's TJ Today editorial, and some by other news reports.

As a whole, TJ students are studious, uncommonly mature, well-rounded, talented, friendly and congenial, and appropriately social. The demographic shift through the years has not changed any of those facts. They are many and diverse opportunities for students at TJ, and individual students tap and advance those opportunities to widely varying degrees.

With my comments I am not aiming to reassure anyone. On the contrary, if you or your child have continuing concerns based on misconceptions or prejudices about the effect of TJs demographic shift, please go with your gut and aim for your base school.

[Anonymous]

TJ teacher, thank you for chiming in. Would you be willing to tell us (me) more about the workload at TJ? There have been so many conflicting reports, ranging from "the same as base HS with AP" to "will suck the life out of you."

TJ would be the best match for my child academically and socially, but I don't want her to be completely burned out and drained.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJ teacher, thank you for chiming in. Would you be willing to tell us (me) more about the workload at TJ? There have been so many conflicting reports, ranging from "the same as base HS with AP" to "will suck the life out of you."

TJ would be the best match for my child academically and socially, but I don't want her to be completely burned out and drained.

Thank you!

I am not the teacher who posted, just a TJ parent, but I have to say the workload is very dependent on each individual student. Some will be able to do well academically, play three varsity sports, and be involved in a plethora of student activities to boot, because TJ is a perfect fit for their needs and interests. On the other extreme will be students who need to come home and do homework till the wee hours of the morning every day, with no time for sports, music, or other outside activities. Most are probably in the middle.

How the workload affects each student really depends on the student's interests and abilities and the student's ability to organize and manage time. I would look to see how my child is dealing with schoolwork now, in middle school. If the work is relatively easy now with time to be involved in outside, non- academic activities, then TJ might be a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for that feedback and guidance! It sounds very good and I really appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This area has plenty of kids who can do the math and also write well, so TJ does not need to take kids who can only "do the math." Why take a kid who is great at math but doesn't write well when you can accept kids who are great at math and also have great writing skills?
Some of the kids who have needed math help are kids who have had tutoring for years to help with them do well in school.
And TJ kids are not in "remedial math", some 9th graders are getting extra help with Algebra II, a course that is normally taken by 11th graders.

My 7th grader is currently taking Algebra II without the help of a tutor, and getting an A in the course. He is also Latino.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This area has plenty of kids who can do the math and also write well, so TJ does not need to take kids who can only "do the math." Why take a kid who is great at math but doesn't write well when you can accept kids who are great at math and also have great writing skills?
Some of the kids who have needed math help are kids who have had tutoring for years to help with them do well in school.
And TJ kids are not in "remedial math", some 9th graders are getting extra help with Algebra II, a course that is normally taken by 11th graders.

My 7th grader is currently taking Algebra II without the help of a tutor, and getting an A in the course. He is also Latino.

Where did your DS take Geometry in 6th grade?

[Anonymous]

He has not yet taken Geometry, rather Algebra I and now Algebra II. He is participating in a well-known program of independent study, in addition to attending school, sports, music.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He has not yet taken Geometry, rather Algebra I and now Algebra II. He is participating in a well-known program of independent study, in addition to attending school, sports, music.

How is he taking Algebra II without having taken Geometry? Or is the Algebra II course outside of school? Is he also part of Fairfax Math Circle?

[Anonymous]

He is not part of the Fairfax Math Circle. He may have taken Geometry as part of his program, but honestly I have never had to monitor or keep track of his studies - - he is very independent.

[Anonymous]

He is not part of the Fairfax Math Circle. He may have taken Geometry as part of his program, but honestly I have never had to monitor or keep track of his studies - - he is very independent.