Disappointed with lack of diversity at a top school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there diversity among the teachers at private schools?

GDS's staff seems diverse in terms of race, religion, age, and sexual orientation, as well as more gender-balanced in the elementary school than others I've seen.

[Anonymous]

What is the relationship of lack of diversity in teachers at private and elite public schools (including the executive school leadership) and diversity of studentry/student body ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is frankly very surprising. Only 1-2% African American and 1-2% reduced lunch (ie. poor)???

Given that TJ is generally considered one of, if not the best, schools in the country - what does this tell us?

Excellent question, and probably one that deserves its own separate thread, so we don't litter this one further. I'm not sure what to make of TJ. I've been curious about it for some time. It's clearly a very strong school. But there are several factors that (I think) combine to juice it's very impressive stats. First, it draws students from a very specific sub-part of NoVA that I believe is significantly more affluent than the rest of the DC region. Second, TJ's admission testing and other requirements probably skim the cream of the cream. Third, I think there are fewer magnet programs in NoVA than in Montgomery County or DC, so most of the top students get funneled into TJ. Magnet programs have always been criticized for disproportionately benefiting more affluent (and by extension white) students, because their admission requirements benefit those who have been given greater early-education opportunities. Magnets also are subject to criticism because they swipe top students that might otherwise help strengthen other local schools. (Obviously magnet programs have their own benefits too.) Because it functions as a super-magnet in terms of size and applicant pool, TJ seems to amplify those issues. Fourth, I think TJ gets extra funding from the state of Virginia, from private industry, and from parents, which results in extra educational benefits for its students.

To be clear, I am not criticizing TJ or TJ's students. It is an academic hothouse that offers lots of incredible benefits for the students who are fortunate enough to go there. If I lived in Fairfax County, I'd want my kids to go there. But from a public policy perspective, I think there are some valid concerns that could be (and have been) raised about how fair it is to the rest of the region.

[Anonymous]

PP here. According to the TJ Wikipedia page, there was 2004 study by the Fairfax County school board to address lack of racial diversity of TJ. I cannot find a copy of that study. If anyone has a link, I'd appreciate seeing it.

Here is a link to some recent applicant vs. admission stats for TJ: http://commweb.fcps.edu/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=152. It seems that the percentage of AA+Hispanic applicants is somewhat lower than the corresponding school district percentage, but the number of admits for those two groups is substantially (50%) lower than the percentage of applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Fourth, I think TJ gets extra funding from the state of Virginia, from private industry, and from parents, which results in extra educational benefits for its students.

I think an effective solution wouild be that parents should not be allowed to donate to schools, just to ensure fairness with other schools where parents are not as affluent. Is that it?

I came from another country, and I found this country's obsession with the so-called fairness and equal opportunities amusing, and in many instances hypocritical. If Americans really want total equality, maybe Harvard should just admit people by lottery. This country is a great place for losers, because there are many excuses readily available for all who fail. I don't do well academically because my great great great grandparents were slaves.

[Anonymous]

Just an fyi - TJ also takes some students from Arlington, a much more diverse county than Fairfax. I believe I was told that they looked at kids from some specific schools only.

[Anonymous]

No land/property or trust fund babies were delivered by the legacy of slavery in America. The land was stolen/taken before and after slavery (similar to situation with native American Indians). Many of the folk I went to school with in NE (elite education all the way and up) were financed by a legacy of land/property and trust funds (aka trust fund babies...all the way to the grave!). I did not encounter a single AA that was a beneficiary of a trust fund inheritance through multiple generations. Many were on financial aid when they got to 9th grade prep school -- but lacked the financial aid before to prepare the foundation and get tutors, Kaplan and the like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Fourth, I think TJ gets extra funding from the state of Virginia, from private industry, and from parents, which results in extra educational benefits for its students.

I think an effective solution wouild be that parents should not be allowed to donate to schools, just to ensure fairness with other schools where parents are not as affluent. Is that it?

I came from another country, and I found this country's obsession with the so-called fairness and equal opportunities amusing, and in many instances hypocritical. If Americans really want total equality, maybe Harvard should just admit people by lottery. This country is a great place for losers, because there are many excuses readily available for all who fail. I don't do well academically because my great great great grandparents were slaves.

Oh my. Perhaps there is still from you back in that other country.

[Anonymous]

I guess you came to America because you are a loser in your own country. Quite similar to those who arrived here 3 to 4 centuries ago!

[Anonymous]

Is this the return of the bouquet lady??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess you came to America because you are a loser in your own country. Quite similar to those who arrived here 3 to 4 centuries ago!

What an idiotic comment to make.

[Anonymous]

...said by a true idiot...comme sa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this the return of the bouquet lady??

Ooh - I hope so, that should keep this going for another 2 days.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if they would qualify or not, but I've heard that since TJ doesn't bus its students in, then it keeps lower-income people from attending. Only the richer folk can afford to drive their kids to TJ every day. This might affect the racial composition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if they would qualify or not, but I've heard that since TJ doesn't bus its students in, then it keeps lower-income people from attending. Only the richer folk can afford to drive their kids to TJ every day. This might affect the racial composition.

Unless something has changed this school year, TJ does bus kids in. FCPS kids ride the bus to their zoned high school and then catch another bus to TJ.