Tell me about Thomas Jefferson HS

[Anonymous]

All I know is that you have to apply to this magent and it widely considered #1 in the country. Any more you can tell me? Are there "feeder" elementary and middle schools, ie, most likely to prepare your dc to get in? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I meant to write magnet school.

[Anonymous]

No feeders everyone must apply and go through a series of tests with kids weeded out at each point. If I remember correctly they take the SSAT as the first test, I am not sure what the process is after that as my child did not make it past that point.

It is an impressive school. The facility isn't much, but the staff seems wonderful. I would urge anyone with the slightest interest to apply, especially if you have child who tests well.

[Anonymous]

OP -Tell us more about your child.
My son-in-law did TJ. Most of his friends are now done with MIT. Don't know if they're happy/productive today. Isn't that what really matters the most?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I have read all about the private schools (GDS, Sidwell) but nothing about this great school. My son is too young so I'm just looking to get information on the school and what to expect. So far, it seems to be ideal for us as a family, especially, the cost and of course, if he got in.

[Anonymous]

There are special "cram school" style courses to prepare your child to take the TJ test -- see Best Academy, for example.

[Anonymous]

If you want to learn about TJ, you should join the FCAG Yahoo Group as there are many TJ parents that post there.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FCAG/

[Anonymous]

From the website:

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR ALL APPLICANTS
All applicants to TJHSST must, at the time of application, live with a parent or legal guardian who resides full time in, and meets the residency requirements of, a school division that participates in TJHSST. (FCPS Regulation 3355.9) The applicant and the parent/legal guardian must actually reside (be present) in the participating school division at the time of application.

The school divisions currently participating in TJHSST are:

Arlington County
Fairfax County (includes City of Fairfax)
Falls Church City
Fauquier County
Loudoun County
Prince William County

[Anonymous]

Yes, note that the city of Alexandria does not allow its residents to send children to TJ. On one hand, this bothers me; however, it does assure that TC Williams (the sole public high school in the city of Alexandria) has excellent students who might otherwise have gone to TJ.

[Anonymous]

Tj is an incredible school for exceptional math students with a strong interest in science (bio, chem, physics, and/or computers). It is a good school for very strong math students who have some interest in science, or at least a willingness to take lots of science classes. It can be stressful for students who are only "good" math students.

There's no way to know how TJ will admit students in two years, let alone in a decade. But it can't hurt to make sure that your child learns plenty of math, above and beyond what they teach in most Fairfax County GT Centers. If he's not admitted to TJ, the math skills will still be useful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP -Tell us more about your child.
My son-in-law did TJ. Most of his friends are now done with MIT. Don't know if they're happy/productive today. Isn't that what really matters the most?

Did anyone ever teach you to use the word PLEASE???