IEP at TJ?

[Anonymous]

I cringe to post this, but I don't know how else to get answers anonymously.

My DC has been accepted at TJ. Currently, DC has an IEP for ADHD and anxiety. The main services include:

1) long term projects broken down into smaller chunks with intermediate deadlines,
2) a "class" that helps DC stay organized and also offers some social skills and pragmatic speech work (this takes the place of one MS elective), and
3) one team taught class.

There are also a few other minor accommodations, none of which are academic in nature.

Does anyone have experience with the services offered at TJ for students with IEPs? I assume that should DC accept the placement that these things will be discussed at the IEP transition meeting, but I am just trying to get a feel for what types of services might be offered or are available there.

[Anonymous]

You should probably call the school next week and speak directly with them.

[Anonymous]

OP: TJ parent here. Don't do it. Maybe if your DC is some kind of genius. Getting into TJ is easier than getting out of TJ. I know that sounds odd, but TJ accepts a number of students who will really struggle and be very unhappy there, and then drop out, for reasons known only to themselves. Possibly to fill the sophomore class? Or the waitlist? But I digress. Once your DC is at TJ the mountain of work/ hours of homework is anxiety producing for the most self confident student. And they are not in the IEP business -- they are in the advanced scholar role. So if you accept the offer and your DC goes there and is unhappy -- DC will face returning to the base school. I know quite a few who have done this. Very hard on the student. I know people who have moved out of state to avoid this. In HS they tend to define themselves by their role at TJ, or whatever school they are attending. I know this is a hard decision, but you may want to consider taking a pass on this offer. I know it is hard (and you are justifiably proud of your DS). I am truly not trying to be mean. It is OK to say, no thank you. And easier now than later. Sending our DC to TJ ranks as one of the worst decisions we ever made, and he does well at TJ.

[Anonymous]

I would at least talk to the counselors at the school before making any decisions. Our DC is at TJ and is not miserable, participates in sports and other activities each season in addition to school work. We do not personally know any students who switched out (though we have heard some do each year). We do not regret the decision to choose TJ over base and private schools. But only you know your DC and how what the school can offer might work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would at least talk to the counselors at the school before making any decisions. Our DC is at TJ and is not miserable, participates in sports and other activities each season in addition to school work. We do not personally know any students who switched out (though we have heard some do each year). We do not regret the decision to choose TJ over base and private schools. But only you know your DC and how what the school can offer might work.

In the 2013-14 year, TJ lost six freshmen, six sophomores and 12 juniors over the course of the school year. This year, there are 16 fewer sophomores than started in September.

Of course, some people move, and the numbers fluctuate at other schools as well. However, given all the hoopla over TJ, you'd tend to think students who go there originally expect to be there all four years.

[Anonymous]

I think the stats show about 25 or so less students in the graduating class than started as freshmen. Statistics are available. I don't think it proves anything about overall happiness of the students with the school. It's definitely hard and no doubt that doesn't work for everyone. Someone might want to play a higher level sport. Some move. Some miss friends at the base school. Who knows. But you cannot generalize that all the kids are under so much stress and so anxious that it's a bad decision to go there overall from the fact that some leave the school. I would imagine some students switch out of base schools for a variety of reasons, including to private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the stats show about 25 or so less students in the graduating class than started as freshmen. Statistics are available. I don't think it proves anything about overall happiness of the students with the school. It's definitely hard and no doubt that doesn't work for everyone. Someone might want to play a higher level sport. Some move. Some miss friends at the base school. Who knows. But you cannot generalize that all the kids are under so much stress and so anxious that it's a bad decision to go there overall from the fact that some leave the school. I would imagine some students switch out of base schools for a variety of reasons, including to private schools.

I didn't say anything about overall happiness of the students with the school. You or another poster made a comment about not knowing anyone who left, as if it's extremely rare to leave TJ. It's not.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for an extremely unhelpful list of responses. I am also curious about TJs IEP services.

[Anonymous]

The point was in the context of PP telling OP to give up on TJ, in part because PP personally knows several students who went back to their base schools because they found TJ so miserable. I was urging OP to do more research because not every TJ family has personal knowledge that several kids leave each year because they are miserable. Kids leave for whatever reason. The school is not an overall miserable place for everyone. But the real point is OP needs to assess for herself and talk to the only people who know how the school implements IEPs - which is the school.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I do plan to talk to the school. The problem is the school is closed until Tuesday and we will have very limited time to make a decision based on that info. I also would like to here from parents of children who have actually been on an IEP at TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I do plan to talk to the school. The problem is the school is closed until Tuesday and we will have very limited time to make a decision based on that info. I also would like to here from parents of children who have actually been on an IEP at TJ.

I know 3 and it did not work out well. Dropped out. But you can always say yes and then talked to the counselor. TJ parent.

[Anonymous]

The drop out rate is high - +30. It does not show in the grad rate because they are replaced by other students.

[Anonymous]

Only 1% of students at TJ have IEPs. I think that shows how adept and proficient they are and how experienced. When we investigated, there were no team taught classes. There are no team taught Honors/AP classes at other HS either- at least that I am aware. TJ is supposed to be all Honors and AP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I do plan to talk to the school. The problem is the school is closed until Tuesday and we will have very limited time to make a decision based on that info. I also would like to here from parents of children who have actually been on an IEP at TJ.

You can always change your mind and enroll in your home school.

[Anonymous]

I know 2 kids with IEPs currently at TJ. One is doing very poorly academically and the other is doing fine - I would judge the one who's doing fine as a genuine genius. I'm friends with the parents and they have been very involved with the administration, counselors etc. in helping their kids get through school. OP, I would ask specifically if accommodations are made for tests (ie: get more time) because from what I've heard, they are made only if the teacher is willing. And some teachers are very helpful & understanding, while others couldn't give a s***. Believe me - the parents of these kids are very proactive in advocating for their kids and I don't think it's always gone well.