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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you bash parents who want their kids to be successful? You seem to be obsessed with perpetuating a particular stereotype of a TJ applicant in the past in order to justify a new process that, as this thread indicates, has been anything but smooth. You've offered next to nothing to suggest that the new process is better at identifying students who may have an actual interest in, or aptitude for, STEM.

I'm bashing parents fostering an unhealthy, toxic environment for our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Agree. Many of these kids are the opposite of “self motivated.” TJ and their “STEM interest” has been pre-ordained and carefully curated since entertunf elementary school. That’s why people are so upset that STEM ECs don’t “count.” They’ve been paying for those ECs and forcing participation for 8 years and now they don’t count?!?!

Looks like you are pretty much assuming that every kid who takes stem electives in MS and/or participates in school sponsored or outside stem activities, fairs (elem/middle) is simply doing for TJ. How about all the stem participation in base HS, are the kids doing it to get back into TJ in the following year? I am sure there will be a few who just stop stem when they dont get into TJ, but most will continue the same in whichever HS they go to. Almost all of these kids see TJ as an opportunity for more involvement, but will try to maximize whatever they can find at base HS - you want proof, check HS clubs. Now are you going to accuse that these kids are doing all this stem stuff for college and otherwise, not really motivated? What actually are you implying here? Did you ever attend/volunteer at any science fairs or stem events at elem/middle school and talked to the kids, discussed their work etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you bash parents who want their kids to be successful? You seem to be obsessed with perpetuating a particular stereotype of a TJ applicant in the past in order to justify a new process that, as this thread indicates, has been anything but smooth. You've offered next to nothing to suggest that the new process is better at identifying students who may have an actual interest in, or aptitude for, STEM.

I'm bashing parents fostering an unhealthy, toxic environment for our kids.

You could always raise your kids as you see fit, and stop interfering with how other parents raise theirs.

It reeks of privilege for people like you to assert that other parents are somehow fostering an "unhealthy, toxic environment" for your kids. It's like you think you're the ones who should always decide the rules and the appropriate cultural norms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many folks posting comments here are either delusional or have no clue and would write anything to support their point of view that defies common logic. TJ math 4 article detailing email from tj 4 math teachers was not a surprise given all the tj kids now admitted are not tested for math even in the essay portion. TJ math is generally much harder than regular high school math, and even those with aptitude in math have to work hard to get good grade in these classes. Based on the email from math 4 teachers, this tj class was offered extra support, extra practice tests and quizzes, much easier test still the scores were the lowest ever, many students did not bother to even show-up for remedial 8th period classes. The practice final exam contained similar questions that were in final exam still many student got it wrong. Read the full email from the teachers to get better perspective. Unfortunately the low level school board politician or the brain dead TJ principal and the equity crusaders will not care about any of this simply because they don’t care about common sense reforms, but this will not go away because students without solid understanding of math 4 will face problems with math 5 and calculus ab and bc. I expect this problem will continue until they update the admission process to identify strong math students or dumb down the math curriculum significantly.

There were 2024 kids in Math 4. And the kids from 2025 who took geometry in 8th.

And many kids are still recovering from the world being turned upside down. Not getting help? Not doing the test corrections? That’s a motivation issue, not because the kids weren’t strong in math.

Sorry - can’t blame it all on admissions.

The world gets turned upside down twice every 24 hours and nobody seems to notice.

The last few years have been exceptionally chaotic in case you haven't noticed.

I'd argue that my garden has never looked more orderly than it has the last few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole situation is deeply embarrassing for FCPS. Maybe at some point we can elect School Board members with some common sense who’ll keep FCPS leadership from just constantly making one blunder after another.

Brabrand will milk the TJ reforms for Social Justice points for years to come, in much the same way that Dan Snyder milked the "Redskins" brand for cash years after he destroyed the franchise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Agree. Many of these kids are the opposite of “self motivated.” TJ and their “STEM interest” has been pre-ordained and carefully curated since entertunf elementary school. That’s why people are so upset that STEM ECs don’t “count.” They’ve been paying for those ECs and forcing participation for 8 years and now they don’t count?!?!

Looks like you are pretty much assuming that every kid who takes stem electives in MS and/or participates in school sponsored or outside stem activities, fairs (elem/middle) is simply doing for TJ. How about all the stem participation in base HS, are the kids doing it to get back into TJ in the following year? I am sure there will be a few who just stop stem when they dont get into TJ, but most will continue the same in whichever HS they go to. Almost all of these kids see TJ as an opportunity for more involvement, but will try to maximize whatever they can find at base HS - you want proof, check HS clubs. Now are you going to accuse that these kids are doing all this stem stuff for college and otherwise, not really motivated? What actually are you implying here? Did you ever attend/volunteer at any science fairs or stem events at elem/middle school and talked to the kids, discussed their work etc?

I did. I actually coached the Science Olympiad team when my kid was in upper elementary. The pushing by the parents was out of control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you bash parents who want their kids to be successful? You seem to be obsessed with perpetuating a particular stereotype of a TJ applicant in the past in order to justify a new process that, as this thread indicates, has been anything but smooth. You've offered next to nothing to suggest that the new process is better at identifying students who may have an actual interest in, or aptitude for, STEM.

I'm bashing parents fostering an unhealthy, toxic environment for our kids.

You could always raise your kids as you see fit, and stop interfering with how other parents raise theirs.

It reeks of privilege for people like you to assert that other parents are somehow fostering an "unhealthy, toxic environment" for your kids. It's like you think you're the ones who should always decide the rules and the appropriate cultural norms.

Hmm. I wonder why teen suicides are out of control. Don’t get me wrong, I blame the sports parents, too. It’s all too much! I feel horrible for these kids who have been robbed of their childhood and expected to plan for a career (or to be an Olympian, get a scholarship, etc) from early childhood. It’s so messed up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Agree. Many of these kids are the opposite of “self motivated.” TJ and their “STEM interest” has been pre-ordained and carefully curated since entertunf elementary school. That’s why people are so upset that STEM ECs don’t “count.” They’ve been paying for those ECs and forcing participation for 8 years and now they don’t count?!?!

Yeah. The obvious thing to do is assume that the kids doing STEM ECs in middle school aren't interested in STEM, and the kids not doing STEM ECs are the ones who are super motivated to do STEM because they said so in an essay.

For those of us living in reality, yes, it is true that some portion of kids doing STEM ECs are doing them due to pushy parents. Generally, those kids do not rise to the top in the EC. The kids not doing STEM ECs either aren't very interested in STEM or can't motivate themselves to put in even a modicum of effort. I'd rather take a chance on a kid who at least appears to be interested in STEM than a kid who has says that he likes math or science class, but hasn't actually done anything STEM related.

[Anonymous]

Not all kids at TJ are struggling to keep up and suicidal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you bash parents who want their kids to be successful? You seem to be obsessed with perpetuating a particular stereotype of a TJ applicant in the past in order to justify a new process that, as this thread indicates, has been anything but smooth. You've offered next to nothing to suggest that the new process is better at identifying students who may have an actual interest in, or aptitude for, STEM.

I'm bashing parents fostering an unhealthy, toxic environment for our kids.

You could always raise your kids as you see fit, and stop interfering with how other parents raise theirs.

It reeks of privilege for people like you to assert that other parents are somehow fostering an "unhealthy, toxic environment" for your kids. It's like you think you're the ones who should always decide the rules and the appropriate cultural norms.

Hmm. I wonder why teen suicides are out of control. Don’t get me wrong, I blame the sports parents, too. It’s all too much! I feel horrible for these kids who have been robbed of their childhood and expected to plan for a career (or to be an Olympian, get a scholarship, etc) from early childhood. It’s so messed up.

While pushing the kids is not helpful, guiding them or encouraging them to use their time wisely is important, I would rather have my child spend time either playing sports or engaged in something constructive and not wasting time on social media, video games, parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you bash parents who want their kids to be successful? You seem to be obsessed with perpetuating a particular stereotype of a TJ applicant in the past in order to justify a new process that, as this thread indicates, has been anything but smooth. You've offered next to nothing to suggest that the new process is better at identifying students who may have an actual interest in, or aptitude for, STEM.

I'm bashing parents fostering an unhealthy, toxic environment for our kids.

You could always raise your kids as you see fit, and stop interfering with how other parents raise theirs.

It reeks of privilege for people like you to assert that other parents are somehow fostering an "unhealthy, toxic environment" for your kids. It's like you think you're the ones who should always decide the rules and the appropriate cultural norms.

Hmm. I wonder why teen suicides are out of control. Don’t get me wrong, I blame the sports parents, too. It’s all too much! I feel horrible for these kids who have been robbed of their childhood and expected to plan for a career (or to be an Olympian, get a scholarship, etc) from early childhood. It’s so messed up.

You could just as readily ascribe blame to FCPS officials for keeping schools closed so long, with the resultant isolation, lack of social interaction with peers, and loss of learning. That seems to have much more of an impact on students' mental health than parents encouraging their kids to participate in a Science Olympiad or to apply to TJ.

But, again, if you think it's up to FCPS to counter parents who "rob kids of their childhood," then the logical inference is that you should be advocating for the elimination of the STEM magnet at TJ, and not tinkering with the admissions process to admit more kids who may not be up to the school's challenges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many folks posting comments here are either delusional or have no clue and would write anything to support their point of view that defies common logic. TJ math 4 article detailing email from tj 4 math teachers was not a surprise given all the tj kids now admitted are not tested for math even in the essay portion. TJ math is generally much harder than regular high school math, and even those with aptitude in math have to work hard to get good grade in these classes. Based on the email from math 4 teachers, this tj class was offered extra support, extra practice tests and quizzes, much easier test still the scores were the lowest ever, many students did not bother to even show-up for remedial 8th period classes. The practice final exam contained similar questions that were in final exam still many student got it wrong. Read the full email from the teachers to get better perspective. Unfortunately the low level school board politician or the brain dead TJ principal and the equity crusaders will not care about any of this simply because they don’t care about common sense reforms, but this will not go away because students without solid understanding of math 4 will face problems with math 5 and calculus ab and bc. I expect this problem will continue until they update the admission process to identify strong math students or dumb down the math curriculum significantly.

There were 2024 kids in Math 4. And the kids from 2025 who took geometry in 8th.

And many kids are still recovering from the world being turned upside down. Not getting help? Not doing the test corrections? That’s a motivation issue, not because the kids weren’t strong in math.

Sorry - can’t blame it all on admissions.

The world gets turned upside down twice every 24 hours and nobody seems to notice.

The last few years have been exceptionally chaotic in case you haven't noticed.

I'd argue that my garden has never looked more orderly than it has the last few years.

Head in the sand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Agree. Many of these kids are the opposite of “self motivated.” TJ and their “STEM interest” has been pre-ordained and carefully curated since entertunf elementary school. That’s why people are so upset that STEM ECs don’t “count.” They’ve been paying for those ECs and forcing participation for 8 years and now they don’t count?!?!

Looks like you are pretty much assuming that every kid who takes stem electives in MS and/or participates in school sponsored or outside stem activities, fairs (elem/middle) is simply doing for TJ. How about all the stem participation in base HS, are the kids doing it to get back into TJ in the following year? I am sure there will be a few who just stop stem when they dont get into TJ, but most will continue the same in whichever HS they go to. Almost all of these kids see TJ as an opportunity for more involvement, but will try to maximize whatever they can find at base HS - you want proof, check HS clubs. Now are you going to accuse that these kids are doing all this stem stuff for college and otherwise, not really motivated? What actually are you implying here? Did you ever attend/volunteer at any science fairs or stem events at elem/middle school and talked to the kids, discussed their work etc?

I did. I actually coached the Science Olympiad team when my kid was in upper elementary. The pushing by the parents was out of control.

+1

I’ve been a parent volunteer/coach for two STEM activities and the parental push is nuts.

One parent actually *did the work* for the kid - in parent’s handwriting. So awkward! And the kid never really engaged. A few years later, the kid switched over to non-STEM activities and seemed much happier.

It’s obvious when parents are pushing kids to do certain activities because they have a checklist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you bash parents who want their kids to be successful? You seem to be obsessed with perpetuating a particular stereotype of a TJ applicant in the past in order to justify a new process that, as this thread indicates, has been anything but smooth. You've offered next to nothing to suggest that the new process is better at identifying students who may have an actual interest in, or aptitude for, STEM.

I'm bashing parents fostering an unhealthy, toxic environment for our kids.

You could always raise your kids as you see fit, and stop interfering with how other parents raise theirs.

It reeks of privilege for people like you to assert that other parents are somehow fostering an "unhealthy, toxic environment" for your kids. It's like you think you're the ones who should always decide the rules and the appropriate cultural norms.

Hmm. I wonder why teen suicides are out of control. Don’t get me wrong, I blame the sports parents, too. It’s all too much! I feel horrible for these kids who have been robbed of their childhood and expected to plan for a career (or to be an Olympian, get a scholarship, etc) from early childhood. It’s so messed up.

While pushing the kids is not helpful, guiding them or encouraging them to use their time wisely is important, I would rather have my child spend time either playing sports or engaged in something constructive and not wasting time on social media, video games, parties.

Sure, but are you pushing kids to follow their interests, or yours?

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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.

Why would you bash parents who want their kids to be successful? You seem to be obsessed with perpetuating a particular stereotype of a TJ applicant in the past in order to justify a new process that, as this thread indicates, has been anything but smooth. You've offered next to nothing to suggest that the new process is better at identifying students who may have an actual interest in, or aptitude for, STEM.

I'm bashing parents fostering an unhealthy, toxic environment for our kids.

You could always raise your kids as you see fit, and stop interfering with how other parents raise theirs.

It reeks of privilege for people like you to assert that other parents are somehow fostering an "unhealthy, toxic environment" for your kids. It's like you think you're the ones who should always decide the rules and the appropriate cultural norms.

Our community sets the tone for the environment.