Seeking TJHSST moms' advice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the folks who keep saying that TJ isn't a good fit if your kid has an enormous workload and struggles with that aspect of school. It is possible to be smart enough to hack TJ but just not like it. DS is doing well academically, has a TJ girlfriend, has participated in sports every season, and yes, has a ton of work. TJ isn't a bad fit for him because he isn't capable or somehow isn't organized enough or because we -- his parents -- aren't willing to teach him the value of hard work. It's a bad fit because despite being able to handle it, he doesn't enjoy it.

It's the "best" school because amazingly bright students attend and get amazingly high test scores but it's still an FCPS school with so-so communication sometimes, grouchy counselors, bad school lunches, and some teachers who, while very well educated, just aren't that great at teaching. Those of you who are contemplating having your kids attend, go in with your eyes open and with a hold on reality. TJ is a mixture of the fabulous and the disappointing, in our experience.

No school is perfect, of course.

If your son is unhappy because TJ is a bad fit for him, will he transfer back to his regular school?

My child knew a number of kids who left TJ and went back to their regular schools for a variety of reasons. From what I understand, they mostly ended up happy with the change.

Good luck to your son! The high school years involve hard work, but kids should be able to have fun, too. Nothing is worth being unhappy most of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the folks who keep saying that TJ isn't a good fit if your kid has an enormous workload and struggles with that aspect of school. It is possible to be smart enough to hack TJ but just not like it. DS is doing well academically, has a TJ girlfriend, has participated in sports every season, and yes, has a ton of work. TJ isn't a bad fit for him because he isn't capable or somehow isn't organized enough or because we -- his parents -- aren't willing to teach him the value of hard work. It's a bad fit because despite being able to handle it, he doesn't enjoy it.

It's the "best" school because amazingly bright students attend and get amazingly high test scores but it's still an FCPS school with so-so communication sometimes, grouchy counselors, bad school lunches, and some teachers who, while very well educated, just aren't that great at teaching. Those of you who are contemplating having your kids attend, go in with your eyes open and with a hold on reality. TJ is a mixture of the fabulous and the disappointing, in our experience.

If your son is unhappy because of a bad fit, is he transferring to his assigned school?

My child knew a number of kids who left TJ for their regular schools, for a variety of reasons. From what I understand, they mostly ended up happy with the change.

Good luck to your son! The high school years involve hard work, but no kid should be unhappy most of the time. They definitely deserve to have good memories from high school.