Thomas Jefferson Highs School --does anyone know why city of alexandria residents are not eligible?

[Anonymous]

What is the reason for this?

[Anonymous]

The city doesn't help pay for the school, so its residents aren't eligible. Probably something that was decided when the school was built.

[Anonymous]

The Alexandria School Board recently considered this issue, and decided against letting city residents send their kids to TJ because they wanted the best students to stay at TC Williams. It was quite a contentious vote, I believe. Now that we're planning to send our child to TC, I'm happy about the decision. I wasn't so happy several years ago.

[Anonymous]

The school is in Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

True, but kids from several other counties are eligible as well.

[Anonymous]

I'm hoping that the terrific new ACPS Superintendent and the soon-to-be elected School Board will reconsider the past decision to deny ACPS students the right to apply to TJ. With such fierce competition, it does not seem that the system would lose THAT many kids - TC is a great school in its own right, and their top students are accepted at the nations elite schools year after year. All the kids I know at TC love it - however, I think the TJ experience is unique and prestigious and should not be denied to Alexandria kids due to fear of "brain drain" - I really think TC will hold it's own, even if kids are given the TJ option. All of our babysitters and quite a few neighbors have attended TC after attending Burgundy, St. Stephens etc. They all love it and are the greatest kids. I used to wonder why parents sent their kids there - now I'm hoping that my kids have what it takes to go there.