TJ admissions now verifying free and reduced price meal status for successful 2026 applicants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

It transcends whether people think their kids deserve to go to TJ. It’s also about whether we have a school system that recognizes merit and rewards hard work or instead is prepared to jettison all that just so FCPS can claim it is committed to “equity” (which has no clear meaning but quite suggests FCPS probably shouldn’t even be operating an exclusive magnet).

All FCPS wants are future TJ graduations with more Black and Brown kids and fewer Asian kids in the photos they post on their web site. That’s the sum total of their educational “philosophy.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

TJ is soooo shiny.

Blame the parents. In many asian countries everyone is sorted by test scores and funneled to different high schools, colleges and even companies. Your entire life is based on how well you do or don't do on a test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHw7Aa7lhhw

Obviously that isn't how the US is structured at all but many parents still don't understand that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

TJ is soooo shiny.

Blame the parents. In many asian countries everyone is sorted by test scores and funneled to different high schools, colleges and even companies. Your entire life is based on how well you do or don't do on a test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHw7Aa7lhhw

Obviously that isn't how the US is structured at all but many parents still don't understand that

Not sure we have any structure in the US these days. Just politicians who have decided that bashing Asian culture and promoting class warfare is somehow progressive and, therefore, laudable as long as they can call it “equity.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

I agree with you.

What people should do is different from what they do.

Some families invest their weekends in travel sports. Others send their kids to prep for TJ. Or move to a rental in South County for a year. Right or wrong - its different strokes for different folks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

If they cheat at TJ, they'll cheat at base school too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

TJ is soooo shiny.

This thread is intended for people interested in TJ. This is not a place to bash TJ as that point is going to fall on deaf ears. What is your purpose except maybe as someone embittered that TJ is unattainable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An official FOIA Request was sent out to get info on applicants who checked the ED boxes, and this request coincides with FCPS sudden decision to verify eligibility:

“We are writing as a group of concerned parents, many of whom suffer true economic disadvantages. We are seeing a troubling pattern with the admissions process at a well known school.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) is often regarded as the #1 high school in the country. Since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the TJ Admissions Committee has been publicly claiming their desire to serve marginalized and economically disadvantaged students better. But are they really benefiting the marginalized or merely manipulating the system?

The application process does not seek any verification of economic need. As a result, a shockingly high number of applicants claimed economic disadvantage in the 2022 applications based on a loophole that allows ANY public school students to claim the status, regardless of actual financial need.

We are asking for help to shine a light on this situation.

Proposed Solution: The solution to this problem is simple. We suggest that the TJ Admissions Committee of 2022 immediately ask applicants to show proof of financial need via FARMS forms (free and reduced meals), Medicaid eligibility, TANF eligibility (temporary assistance for needy families), or other similar means.



By seeking some verification from applicants claiming an economic disadvantage, we can ensure that the genuinely marginalized receive consideration, in line with the spirit of what diversity, equity, and inclusion are really about.

Our letter to you is attached. Thank you!”

Please provide a link to the original letter. Otherwise, this could be just made up.

[Anonymous]

I really doubt that FCPS will tell anyone external about this FOIA request. They do not need to. I hope that the person or organization that submitted the FOIA finds a way to release the information.


"FOIA Log
The FOIA Officer shall maintain a log of VFOIA requests, and those fulfilledly, to be shared with the FCPS leadership team on a weekly basis. The log may be made public at the discretion of FCPS."

https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/FCPS%20FOIA%20Guidelines.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

TJ is soooo shiny.

This thread is intended for people interested in TJ. This is not a place to bash TJ as that point is going to fall on deaf ears. What is your purpose except maybe as someone embittered that TJ is unattainable?

I’m not bashing TJ. I’m bashing the parents who have been plotting their child’s path for TJ admissions since 2nd grade because they are obsessed with the prestige.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really doubt that FCPS will tell anyone external about this FOIA request. They do not need to. I hope that the person or organization that submitted the FOIA finds a way to release the information.


"FOIA Log
The FOIA Officer shall maintain a log of VFOIA requests, and those fulfilledly, to be shared with the FCPS leadership team on a weekly basis. The log may be made public at the discretion of FCPS."

https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/FCPS%20FOIA%20Guidelines.pdf

So who is posting it? A bitter FCPS employee? Or one of the FOIA parents? No one else would have access.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

It transcends whether people think their kids deserve to go to TJ. It’s also about whether we have a school system that recognizes merit and rewards hard work or instead is prepared to jettison all that just so FCPS can claim it is committed to “equity” (which has no clear meaning but quite suggests FCPS probably shouldn’t even be operating an exclusive magnet).

All FCPS wants are future TJ graduations with more Black and Brown kids and fewer Asian kids in the photos they post on their web site. That’s the sum total of their educational “philosophy.”

CoNspIrAcY tHeOrY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

TJ is soooo shiny.

Probably not for long! Unless the admission process is revised to properly recognize the stem talent as well as actual interest, it will likely become rusty. In addition to grades, TJ needs kids that are self motivated, actively participate in stem related activities etc. Since even grades played very minor role, no teacher input, absolutely zero credit given to any stem participation and way tooooo much emphasis was placed on the essays, where anyone can write anything without any sort of validation, there is no way to tell if the incoming freshman class is really motivated into stem. I hope I am wrong and TJ will continue to shine bright.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really doubt that FCPS will tell anyone external about this FOIA request. They do not need to. I hope that the person or organization that submitted the FOIA finds a way to release the information.


"FOIA Log
The FOIA Officer shall maintain a log of VFOIA requests, and those fulfilledly, to be shared with the FCPS leadership team on a weekly basis. The log may be made public at the discretion of FCPS."

https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/FCPS%20FOIA%20Guidelines.pdf

So who is posting it? A bitter FCPS employee? Or one of the FOIA parents? No one else would have access.

I wish that the parents who filed this FOIA would 1) make their letter public and 2) provide the data that they received. FCPS will continue to do things like this that harm poor students unless we hold them accountable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

TJ is soooo shiny.

Probably not for long! Unless the admission process is revised to properly recognize the stem talent as well as actual interest, it will likely become rusty. In addition to grades, TJ needs kids that are self motivated, actively participate in stem related activities etc. Since even grades played very minor role, no teacher input, absolutely zero credit given to any stem participation and way tooooo much emphasis was placed on the essays, where anyone can write anything without any sort of validation, there is no way to tell if the incoming freshman class is really motivated into stem. I hope I am wrong and TJ will continue to shine bright.

So then maybe they will have true STEM talent/interest and not scores of kids groomed for TJ admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see much evidence that Asian kids flooded into "under-represented" middle schools like Whitman and Holmes this past year to "game" the new process.

It seems more likely to me that Asian families will just anchor in the top pyramids so they can hedge their bets (still have their kids apply to TJ, but rest assured that the alternative is Langley/McLean/Oakton/Chantilly/Woodson). And, as TJ becomes seen primarily as an alternative to lower-performing high schools, fewer of their kids will apply, just like Asian families in MoCo send their kids to Wootton with only some considering the Blair magnet.

Correct. Asian will stay in top school zones.

Some will have a small house in a lower ranked area and a larger house in the top zone.

Seems so overkill for high school. TJ is just a high school in the end. No one cares if you went to TJ later in life and college outcomes aren’t really better because it’s so competitive. If you read their confessional page, cheating is rampant and kids are totally unhappy. It’s crazy to me that folks are this desperate for TJ. Get a life.

It transcends whether people think their kids deserve to go to TJ. It’s also about whether we have a school system that recognizes merit and rewards hard work or instead is prepared to jettison all that just so FCPS can claim it is committed to “equity” (which has no clear meaning but quite suggests FCPS probably shouldn’t even be operating an exclusive magnet).

All FCPS wants are future TJ graduations with more Black and Brown kids and fewer Asian kids in the photos they post on their web site. That’s the sum total of their educational “philosophy.”

CoNspIrAcY tHeOrY

Who are you and whats up with your font? I see several posts with similar letters. Is there something wrong with your keyboard or fingers or .. ?