What are the new TJ feeders

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7th grader at one of the three traditional TJ feeders. There were a lot of kids from our school who weren’t admitted to TJ, despite Algebra 2 (or in one case pre-Calc) in 8th, state and national STEM awards, state level science fair wins, years of robotics and placing at worlds, national debate placement, perfect grades in all AAP, state level music recognition, etc., etc. It’s pretty clear that being a strong Asian student attending a traditional feeder is nowstrong disadvantage. Mission accomplished FCPS.

6th and 7th grade parents are looking at some of the kids who were not accepted and are panicking because TJ took some very mediocre kids this year over some real academic rock stars. And now parents are making decisions on how to best help their kid for future admissions cycles. But, it’s all over the map. I’m hearing a lot of contradictory info, all of which is presented as definitive. So, maybe DCUM hive mind can answer questions parents at our MS are asking as they plan for next year:

The biggest question: It’s clear that course rigor and grades aren’t determining the top 1.5% (all AAP/honors kids with 4.0s in Highest level classes, including Algebra II or Pre-Calc in 8th are not getting in, while kids with standard (not honors) humanities and some Bs are. Way more than 1.5% of kids at our MS have 4.0s in all AAP honors and it doesn’t look like the 1.5% are chosen on pure academic merit. The only consistency seems to be that Asian kids who checked “multiracial” instead of “Asian” and white kids did much better in admissions and self-identified Asian kids did worse (we are not at a school with sizable Hispanic or a lack population). So, if it isn’t GPA and rigor, how are they determining top 1.5% in each MS? Principal choice? Are factors like race, ELL, FARMs, etc. considered in naming the top 1.5%? Extracurriculars? “Character”? Bringing the principal a latte each day? If GPA plays a role, is it weighted, like in HS (+.5 for honors)? No one seems to know. The lack of transparency is nuts.

What happens if you check multiracial, because everyone has a relative of a different race somewhere in their past? I know a couple parents who were unofficially advised by people high up in FCPS and the DOE to check multiracial and that seemed to have worked. Is there any downside? What happens if you apply for FARMs in 8th given that they don’t verify income?

Also, I don’t want to start an argument about the wisdom of the old feeder system. But, clearly having a 4.0 in all AAP, Algebra 2 in 8th, state STEM award kid apply next year from our current “TJ feeder” MS won’t work. No matter what my kid does or what he achieves, he doesn’t stand a chance. Meanwhile, his sibling is already at TJ. So, if it’s impossible to get in as a high performing Asian or white kid out of the old feeders, what are the new feeder MSs? The press release talked a lot about underrepresented MSs and how all FCPS MSs sent at least one kid. Which MSs are “underrepresented”? Which had trouble hitting 1.5%? Does this mean every kid at an “underrepresented” school who meets the pretty minimal new academic requirements and attends that school is accepted, full stop? Are any underrepresented MSs also AAP Centers or LLIV?

Also, you pupil place for MS? For example, do any of the schools having trouble getting 1.5% to apply have a foreign language or other program that allows for transfers? Or, can you transfer for an IB Middle Years program? If not, what does it take to establish residency? A lease only, or do you also need to change drivers license, voting location, etc?

And residency within a school zone is established as of when? Can my kid stay at their base MS for first semester, and then transfer second semester? When can they transfer back? After the SIS, etc are complete? Or do they have to wait for decisions?

Does anyone have any experience with a kid getting in from homeschool or a private this year?

Thanks for any insights. It feels like everyone is making plans for next year based on guesses or what they heard 4th hand, but have decided must be true. But, there is no actual info.

Thanks for any answers.

Curie is the main feeder these days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I've worked with a lot of AAP 6th graders. From my experiences, kids who took Algebra in 6th were all quite talented in math. Kids who took it in 7th were a mixture of talented kids who love math and parentally pushed kids. I can't think of a single kid who failed to qualify for Algebra in 7th who loved math and had high aptitude in math.

Where exactly are they screening 5th graders for Algebra1? Our center refused to even discuss this and I had a kid bored to death

FCPS has a framework for assessing kids at the end of 4th grade for a jump up to 6th grade AAP math while in 5th. Like all things in FCPS, it's inconsistently applied and dependent on the whims of your AAP center's principal. Many centers jump 10 or so kids up each year for 6th grade Algebra. Other centers don't have this as an option simply because the principal doesn't want to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Where do these little kids learn this?

Remember that not every parent has discretionary income to pay for AOPS or the time (or the car) to take their child to extra classes and clubs. Many parents don’t even know what probability and discreet math are. Many parents just assume their smart kids are being challenged by the school’s curriculum, and being placed in accelerated math is the most accelerated a kid can be.

Khan academy, AoPS forums, alcumus, books from the library, and tons of other free online resources or apps. Kids could also ask their advanced math teacher for resources and extensions. Kids in middle school could join the math team and practice for mathcounts or AMC8, learning a lot of math along the way.

Kids who fail to qualify for Algebra in 7th and then likewise fail to pursue any extracurricular math aren't deliberately slowing down their math instruction because they love math and want to develop a deeper understanding. It's really because they like math okay but don't particularly love it and are bright but not notably so in math.

I'm not saying that math should be the end all and be all..... but, a kid should show something. The kid who isn't advanced in math and isn't doing any extra math might be heavily invested in science olympiad or robotics team. Maybe that kid has achieved something in one of those arenas. Kids who haven't really achieved anything, aren't particularly advanced, and aren't heavily invested in some sort of STEM activity, and really just have a good GPA don't belong at TJ over the kids who are STEM rockstars.

I have a 12yo who self studied algebra II and scored ~1400 on the SAT. I know about these free math enrichment programs. And my child has used some of them. We cannot afford an actual extra class. But I am able to guide and encourage my kid and give her the time and space. We are very fortunate to be able to do so. We have good jobs and consistent child care set up. I have the extra time and mental bandwidth to research math resources for her.

But many parents are stressed out about paying bills or taking care of elderly parents. Or maybe they have a SN child. Looking into those free math options isn’t going to happen. Many kids are shuffled all around after school or have to commute to dad’s house across the city 3 times a week. Or maybe they have to come home and babysit younger siblings.

Most kids are not going to push themselves in these conditions without their parents’ support. Most kids will not push themselves in the best conditions without their parents’ support. These are little kids. Yes, my 12yo self studies without a tutor, but she is getting constant encouragement and help from her parents.

My 12yo would not be where she’s at without a lot pushing from us. And we aren’t even one of the ridiculous “3 hours of outside math class a week” families. We just encourage her to work beyond the school’s curriculum because we hope it will give her an advantage.

I recognize that my 12yo isn’t some math genius. She’s been given more opportunities. She’s been given a serious advantage and leg up on many her age. And I know there are many kids who haven’t had these advantages.

So just because free stuff exists doesn’t in any way mean kids from disadvantaged backgrounds should achieve just as well as those in aops academy. For a variety of reasons they cannot. And it’s not necessarily because their parents just don’t value education. For that reason those kids who excel in advanced math alone should be considered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7th grader at one of the three traditional TJ feeders. There were a lot of kids from our school who weren’t admitted to TJ, despite Algebra 2 (or in one case pre-Calc) in 8th, state and national STEM awards, state level science fair wins, years of robotics and placing at worlds, national debate placement, perfect grades in all AAP, state level music recognition, etc., etc. It’s pretty clear that being a strong Asian student attending a traditional feeder is nowstrong disadvantage. Mission accomplished FCPS.

6th and 7th grade parents are looking at some of the kids who were not accepted and are panicking because TJ took some very mediocre kids this year over some real academic rock stars. And now parents are making decisions on how to best help their kid for future admissions cycles. But, it’s all over the map. I’m hearing a lot of contradictory info, all of which is presented as definitive. So, maybe DCUM hive mind can answer questions parents at our MS are asking as they plan for next year:

The biggest question: It’s clear that course rigor and grades aren’t determining the top 1.5% (all AAP/honors kids with 4.0s in Highest level classes, including Algebra II or Pre-Calc in 8th are not getting in, while kids with standard (not honors) humanities and some Bs are. Way more than 1.5% of kids at our MS have 4.0s in all AAP honors and it doesn’t look like the 1.5% are chosen on pure academic merit. The only consistency seems to be that Asian kids who checked “multiracial” instead of “Asian” and white kids did much better in admissions and self-identified Asian kids did worse (we are not at a school with sizable Hispanic or a lack population). So, if it isn’t GPA and rigor, how are they determining top 1.5% in each MS? Principal choice? Are factors like race, ELL, FARMs, etc. considered in naming the top 1.5%? Extracurriculars? “Character”? Bringing the principal a latte each day? If GPA plays a role, is it weighted, like in HS (+.5 for honors)? No one seems to know. The lack of transparency is nuts.

What happens if you check multiracial, because everyone has a relative of a different race somewhere in their past? I know a couple parents who were unofficially advised by people high up in FCPS and the DOE to check multiracial and that seemed to have worked. Is there any downside? What happens if you apply for FARMs in 8th given that they don’t verify income?

Also, I don’t want to start an argument about the wisdom of the old feeder system. But, clearly having a 4.0 in all AAP, Algebra 2 in 8th, state STEM award kid apply next year from our current “TJ feeder” MS won’t work. No matter what my kid does or what he achieves, he doesn’t stand a chance. Meanwhile, his sibling is already at TJ. So, if it’s impossible to get in as a high performing Asian or white kid out of the old feeders, what are the new feeder MSs? The press release talked a lot about underrepresented MSs and how all FCPS MSs sent at least one kid. Which MSs are “underrepresented”? Which had trouble hitting 1.5%? Does this mean every kid at an “underrepresented” school who meets the pretty minimal new academic requirements and attends that school is accepted, full stop? Are any underrepresented MSs also AAP Centers or LLIV?

Also, you pupil place for MS? For example, do any of the schools having trouble getting 1.5% to apply have a foreign language or other program that allows for transfers? Or, can you transfer for an IB Middle Years program? If not, what does it take to establish residency? A lease only, or do you also need to change drivers license, voting location, etc?

And residency within a school zone is established as of when? Can my kid stay at their base MS for first semester, and then transfer second semester? When can they transfer back? After the SIS, etc are complete? Or do they have to wait for decisions?

Does anyone have any experience with a kid getting in from homeschool or a private this year?

Thanks for any insights. It feels like everyone is making plans for next year based on guesses or what they heard 4th hand, but have decided must be true. But, there is no actual info.

Thanks for any answers.

Curie is the main feeder these days

Ignorant racist liar. You will pay for your sins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Where do these little kids learn this?

Remember that not every parent has discretionary income to pay for AOPS or the time (or the car) to take their child to extra classes and clubs. Many parents don’t even know what probability and discreet math are. Many parents just assume their smart kids are being challenged by the school’s curriculum, and being placed in accelerated math is the most accelerated a kid can be.

Khan academy, AoPS forums, alcumus, books from the library, and tons of other free online resources or apps. Kids could also ask their advanced math teacher for resources and extensions. Kids in middle school could join the math team and practice for mathcounts or AMC8, learning a lot of math along the way.

Kids who fail to qualify for Algebra in 7th and then likewise fail to pursue any extracurricular math aren't deliberately slowing down their math instruction because they love math and want to develop a deeper understanding. It's really because they like math okay but don't particularly love it and are bright but not notably so in math.

I'm not saying that math should be the end all and be all..... but, a kid should show something. The kid who isn't advanced in math and isn't doing any extra math might be heavily invested in science olympiad or robotics team. Maybe that kid has achieved something in one of those arenas. Kids who haven't really achieved anything, aren't particularly advanced, and aren't heavily invested in some sort of STEM activity, and really just have a good GPA don't belong at TJ over the kids who are STEM rockstars.

I have a 12yo who self studied algebra II and scored ~1400 on the SAT. I know about these free math enrichment programs. And my child has used some of them. We cannot afford an actual extra class. But I am able to guide and encourage my kid and give her the time and space. We are very fortunate to be able to do so. We have good jobs and consistent child care set up. I have the extra time and mental bandwidth to research math resources for her.

But many parents are stressed out about paying bills or taking care of elderly parents. Or maybe they have a SN child. Looking into those free math options isn’t going to happen. Many kids are shuffled all around after school or have to commute to dad’s house across the city 3 times a week. Or maybe they have to come home and babysit younger siblings.

Most kids are not going to push themselves in these conditions without their parents’ support. Most kids will not push themselves in the best conditions without their parents’ support. These are little kids. Yes, my 12yo self studies without a tutor, but she is getting constant encouragement and help from her parents.

My 12yo would not be where she’s at without a lot pushing from us. And we aren’t even one of the ridiculous “3 hours of outside math class a week” families. We just encourage her to work beyond the school’s curriculum because we hope it will give her an advantage.

I recognize that my 12yo isn’t some math genius. She’s been given more opportunities. She’s been given a serious advantage and leg up on many her age. And I know there are many kids who haven’t had these advantages.

So just because free stuff exists doesn’t in any way mean kids from disadvantaged backgrounds should achieve just as well as those in aops academy. For a variety of reasons they cannot. And it’s not necessarily because their parents just don’t value education. For that reason those kids who excel in advanced math alone should be considered.

Yet, they have time to play basketball 5 hours a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I have a 12yo who self studied algebra II and scored ~1400 on the SAT. I know about these free math enrichment programs. And my child has used some of them. We cannot afford an actual extra class. But I am able to guide and encourage my kid and give her the time and space. We are very fortunate to be able to do so. We have good jobs and consistent child care set up. I have the extra time and mental bandwidth to research math resources for her.

But many parents are stressed out about paying bills or taking care of elderly parents. Or maybe they have a SN child. Looking into those free math options isn’t going to happen. Many kids are shuffled all around after school or have to commute to dad’s house across the city 3 times a week. Or maybe they have to come home and babysit younger siblings.

Most kids are not going to push themselves in these conditions without their parents’ support. Most kids will not push themselves in the best conditions without their parents’ support. These are little kids. Yes, my 12yo self studies without a tutor, but she is getting constant encouragement and help from her parents.

My 12yo would not be where she’s at without a lot pushing from us. And we aren’t even one of the ridiculous “3 hours of outside math class a week” families. We just encourage her to work beyond the school’s curriculum because we hope it will give her an advantage.

I recognize that my 12yo isn’t some math genius. She’s been given more opportunities. She’s been given a serious advantage and leg up on many her age. And I know there are many kids who haven’t had these advantages.

So just because free stuff exists doesn’t in any way mean kids from disadvantaged backgrounds should achieve just as well as those in aops academy. For a variety of reasons they cannot. And it’s not necessarily because their parents just don’t value education. For that reason those kids who excel in advanced math alone should be considered.

No one expects them to do so. What I would hope is that they're showing *something*. If a kid doesn't qualify for 7th grade Algebra and then doesn't really do or show anything at all in math outside of getting good grades, that isn't enough to justify admission to TJ. Many schools have some sort of math club or science club. If they aren't even doing that, then they must not be very interested in math or science.

Also, it's unfortunate, but the (very, very few) kids out there who are brilliant, but so disadvantaged that they can't possibly participate in any extracurricular STEM activities, can't do any amount of self-studying, have no parental support, etc. will not be successful at TJ. They will not have the time to complete the homework. They will not have the resources to get tutoring if they struggle in any class. They will not be able to participate in any of the TJ extracurriculars or clubs. These kids will either end up at the bottom in TJ, or they'll fall back to their base school. Both of these would sabotage this kid's ability to get accepted to a good state school and maybe get a scholarship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I have a 12yo who self studied algebra II and scored ~1400 on the SAT. I know about these free math enrichment programs. And my child has used some of them. We cannot afford an actual extra class. But I am able to guide and encourage my kid and give her the time and space. We are very fortunate to be able to do so. We have good jobs and consistent child care set up. I have the extra time and mental bandwidth to research math resources for her.

But many parents are stressed out about paying bills or taking care of elderly parents. Or maybe they have a SN child. Looking into those free math options isn’t going to happen. Many kids are shuffled all around after school or have to commute to dad’s house across the city 3 times a week. Or maybe they have to come home and babysit younger siblings.

Most kids are not going to push themselves in these conditions without their parents’ support. Most kids will not push themselves in the best conditions without their parents’ support. These are little kids. Yes, my 12yo self studies without a tutor, but she is getting constant encouragement and help from her parents.

My 12yo would not be where she’s at without a lot pushing from us. And we aren’t even one of the ridiculous “3 hours of outside math class a week” families. We just encourage her to work beyond the school’s curriculum because we hope it will give her an advantage.

I recognize that my 12yo isn’t some math genius. She’s been given more opportunities. She’s been given a serious advantage and leg up on many her age. And I know there are many kids who haven’t had these advantages.

So just because free stuff exists doesn’t in any way mean kids from disadvantaged backgrounds should achieve just as well as those in aops academy. For a variety of reasons they cannot. And it’s not necessarily because their parents just don’t value education. For that reason those kids who excel in advanced math alone should be considered.

No one expects them to do so. What I would hope is that they're showing *something*. If a kid doesn't qualify for 7th grade Algebra and then doesn't really do or show anything at all in math outside of getting good grades, that isn't enough to justify admission to TJ. Many schools have some sort of math club or science club. If they aren't even doing that, then they must not be very interested in math or science.

Also, it's unfortunate, but the (very, very few) kids out there who are brilliant, but so disadvantaged that they can't possibly participate in any extracurricular STEM activities, can't do any amount of self-studying, have no parental support, etc. will not be successful at TJ. They will not have the time to complete the homework. They will not have the resources to get tutoring if they struggle in any class. They will not be able to participate in any of the TJ extracurriculars or clubs. These kids will either end up at the bottom in TJ, or they'll fall back to their base school. Both of these would sabotage this kid's ability to get accepted to a good state school and maybe get a scholarship.

Yup, buyer be aware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I have a 12yo who self studied algebra II and scored ~1400 on the SAT. I know about these free math enrichment programs. And my child has used some of them. We cannot afford an actual extra class. But I am able to guide and encourage my kid and give her the time and space. We are very fortunate to be able to do so. We have good jobs and consistent child care set up. I have the extra time and mental bandwidth to research math resources for her.

But many parents are stressed out about paying bills or taking care of elderly parents. Or maybe they have a SN child. Looking into those free math options isn’t going to happen. Many kids are shuffled all around after school or have to commute to dad’s house across the city 3 times a week. Or maybe they have to come home and babysit younger siblings.

Most kids are not going to push themselves in these conditions without their parents’ support. Most kids will not push themselves in the best conditions without their parents’ support. These are little kids. Yes, my 12yo self studies without a tutor, but she is getting constant encouragement and help from her parents.

My 12yo would not be where she’s at without a lot pushing from us. And we aren’t even one of the ridiculous “3 hours of outside math class a week” families. We just encourage her to work beyond the school’s curriculum because we hope it will give her an advantage.

I recognize that my 12yo isn’t some math genius. She’s been given more opportunities. She’s been given a serious advantage and leg up on many her age. And I know there are many kids who haven’t had these advantages.

So just because free stuff exists doesn’t in any way mean kids from disadvantaged backgrounds should achieve just as well as those in aops academy. For a variety of reasons they cannot. And it’s not necessarily because their parents just don’t value education. For that reason those kids who excel in advanced math alone should be considered.

No one expects them to do so. What I would hope is that they're showing *something*. If a kid doesn't qualify for 7th grade Algebra and then doesn't really do or show anything at all in math outside of getting good grades, that isn't enough to justify admission to TJ. Many schools have some sort of math club or science club. If they aren't even doing that, then they must not be very interested in math or science.

Also, it's unfortunate, but the (very, very few) kids out there who are brilliant, but so disadvantaged that they can't possibly participate in any extracurricular STEM activities, can't do any amount of self-studying, have no parental support, etc. will not be successful at TJ. They will not have the time to complete the homework. They will not have the resources to get tutoring if they struggle in any class. They will not be able to participate in any of the TJ extracurriculars or clubs. These kids will either end up at the bottom in TJ, or they'll fall back to their base school. Both of these would sabotage this kid's ability to get accepted to a good state school and maybe get a scholarship.

So we are back to the fact that TJ is only for advantaged kids. Disadvantaged kids can neither compete in admissions nor even successfully attend the school. Not saying your completely off base. But is that the real purpose of a public high school? Of course not every kid has the chops for a selective magnet school. But should TJ give stronger consideration to a kid who took Algebra II in 8th grade over a kid who took geometry or even Algebra I? When all three kids have shown superior ability in math and want to go to TJ?

And just because a child was unable to participate in extracurriculars in elementary school and middle school doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be able to in high school when such things require less support from parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
So we are back to the fact that TJ is only for advantaged kids. Disadvantaged kids can neither compete in admissions nor even successfully attend the school. Not saying your completely off base. But is that the real purpose of a public high school? Of course not every kid has the chops for a selective magnet school. But should TJ give stronger consideration to a kid who took Algebra II in 8th grade over a kid who took geometry or even Algebra I? When all three kids have shown superior ability in math and want to go to TJ?

And just because a child was unable to participate in extracurriculars in elementary school and middle school doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be able to in high school when such things require less support from parents.

TJ isn't just for advantaged kids, but it certainly isn't for severely disadvantaged kids, especially those who haven't shown the initiative to self-study or seek out opportunities. No rigorous program ever could be. Unless they water down TJ pretty significantly, those kids are being set up to fail.

Also, kids in Algebra I have not shown superior math ability. They're not in the top 10% in FCPS or really anywhere anymore. Algebra I in 8th is pretty average in most places. Kids getting accepted with Algebra I should be the exception and not the rule, and these kids should have some compelling reason for being below standard in math for an elite STEM magnet.

Middle school extracurriculars don't require anything at all from the parents. The kids stay after school for an hour and then take the late bus home. If they can't even do that in 8th grade, what makes you think that they'll be able to do so in 9th?

[Anonymous]

The entitlement. Burns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do some of you act like TJ has to accept the very best? It’s not a competition. It’s a magnet school. It’s just too bad that s not big enough to accept all qualified applicants.

The very best are the kids who will surpass the course offerings at their local high schools and run out of classes to take. The math whizzes will be taking Calc in either 9th or 10th grade. TJ is the only place with enough math classes. Likewise, science whizzes will easily handle the AP courses at their local schools and end up without viable classes for their last few years.

It honestly makes no sense at all to admit a bunch of kids to TJ who largely will take the exact same classes that would have been available at their local high school.

It honestly makes no sense to consider a kid who is taking algebra II in 8th grade is somehow more worthy of TJ than a kid who is taking Algebra I in 8th grade. Both kids are advanced. And the majority of kids on these super accelerated paths are only there because of a combination of parental pressure, outside tutoring, and other advantages. And they are only on that path because their parents want TJ, and the old system rewarded previous advantage with more advantage.

The kid taking algebra 2 in 8th is two years more advanced than the kid taking algebra I in 8th.

The kid taking algebra 2 in 8th completes the standard advanced math high school curriculum as a sophomore. If they are a whiz kid at a middling school, they run out of math classes by junior year.

The kid taking algebra 1 in 8th grade is on the average math track for average to somewhat bright students, and just makes it to calc AB as a senior.

There is tremendous difference between the two.

A kid with only algebre 1 in 8th should bever have been given a TJ slot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid spent hours on Khan Academy even when he was in elementary school. Not because anyone made him but because he loved math and thought about it a lot. He would sit and be quiet and then announce some math thing he had figured out even when he was in early elementary. We never paid for extracurricular classes but he sought out every free resource he could find from library books to Khan Academy to clubs at school and free, application based summer programs.

My now college kid was in a class where 5 of the AAP 6th graders were bussed to the local middle school for Algebra.

Of thos 5 kids:

#1 was a math genius who sounds like your kid. Other kids played video games for fun. He did Khan Academy. I recall hearing him tell my kid "I just love math. I could do math all day every day if they would let me." His dad was a computer something and mom was a math expert, so it seemd to run in his family.

#2 & #3 Were geniuses. Period. The two smartest people I have ever met. Smarter than most high school kids in 6th grade. They are in college and still geniuses.

#4 was brilliant, not quite a genius like the other 2. This kid had a tiger mom, but would have been brilliant with or without her.

#5 Was the stereotype of asian kid with tiger mom doing everything possible to get the kid into TJ. But even so, this kid was still heads and shoulders smarter than almost everyone else. The plus was he worked so hard at everything. Prepped or not, hard work should have merit.

None of these kids were kids who only made it to Algebra 1 in 6th/Algebra 2 in 8th because of test prep. These kids were amazing in math and STEM.

And to think that kids like these 5 would not get into TJ, while kids who are just taking Algebra in 8th are getting in this year is just awful.

What an anti merit, anti hard work, anti excellence move by our asian hating school board members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do some of you act like TJ has to accept the very best? It’s not a competition. It’s a magnet school. It’s just too bad that s not big enough to accept all qualified applicants.

The very best are the kids who will surpass the course offerings at their local high schools and run out of classes to take. The math whizzes will be taking Calc in either 9th or 10th grade. TJ is the only place with enough math classes. Likewise, science whizzes will easily handle the AP courses at their local schools and end up without viable classes for their last few years.

It honestly makes no sense at all to admit a bunch of kids to TJ who largely will take the exact same classes that would have been available at their local high school.

It honestly makes no sense to consider a kid who is taking algebra II in 8th grade is somehow more worthy of TJ than a kid who is taking Algebra I in 8th grade. Both kids are advanced. And the majority of kids on these super accelerated paths are only there because of a combination of parental pressure, outside tutoring, and other advantages. And they are only on that path because their parents want TJ, and the old system rewarded previous advantage with more advantage.

The kid taking algebra 2 in 8th is two years more advanced than the kid taking algebra I in 8th.

The kid taking algebra 2 in 8th completes the standard advanced math high school curriculum as a sophomore. If they are a whiz kid at a middling school, they run out of math classes by junior year.

The kid taking algebra 1 in 8th grade is on the average math track for average to somewhat bright students, and just makes it to calc AB as a senior.

There is tremendous difference between the two.

A kid with only algebre 1 in 8th should bever have been given a TJ slot.

I have no dog in this fight, so I am not commenting on all that is going on. My son completed middle school with Algebra 2 and was a straight A student, but decided he did not want to apply/go to TJ and went to one of those middling high schools to use your words. He was able to concurrently enroll at GMU for three math courses in high school (two taught at his high school) and the credits were accepted at his engineering school in college. I do not know if all schools have that option, but if it was an option at his middling school, it probably is at most if not all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

#5 Was the stereotype of asian kid with tiger mom doing everything possible to get the kid into TJ. But even so, this kid was still heads and shoulders smarter than almost everyone else. The plus was he worked so hard at everything. Prepped or not, hard work should have merit.

None of these kids were kids who only made it to Algebra 1 in 6th/Algebra 2 in 8th because of test prep. These kids were amazing in math and STEM.

And to think that kids like these 5 would not get into TJ, while kids who are just taking Algebra in 8th are getting in this year is just awful.

What an anti merit, anti hard work, anti excellence move by our asian hating school board members.

I agree with everything you've said. I also know of a lot of kids who fit the profile of the #5 on your list. Despite the outside math classes and parental pushing, none of these kids were even invited to take Algebra in 6th at a center that typically bumps up about 10 kids. Many of these kids participated in math and science competitions, and despite all of the work they put in, none of them did particularly well. Prepping and tiger parenting will only get a kid so far.

Also, many of the AAP kids that I know who didn't qualify for Algebra in 7th ARE prepped kids. They prepped like crazy over Winter break and on weekends. They still only got like 70th percentile on the IAAT. It's sad that these kids are now assumed to be unprepped and thus more worthy than the Algebra II kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

#5 Was the stereotype of asian kid with tiger mom doing everything possible to get the kid into TJ. But even so, this kid was still heads and shoulders smarter than almost everyone else. The plus was he worked so hard at everything. Prepped or not, hard work should have merit.

None of these kids were kids who only made it to Algebra 1 in 6th/Algebra 2 in 8th because of test prep. These kids were amazing in math and STEM.

And to think that kids like these 5 would not get into TJ, while kids who are just taking Algebra in 8th are getting in this year is just awful.

What an anti merit, anti hard work, anti excellence move by our asian hating school board members.

I agree with everything you've said. I also know of a lot of kids who fit the profile of the #5 on your list. Despite the outside math classes and parental pushing, none of these kids were even invited to take Algebra in 6th at a center that typically bumps up about 10 kids. Many of these kids participated in math and science competitions, and despite all of the work they put in, none of them did particularly well. Prepping and tiger parenting will only get a kid so far.

Also, many of the AAP kids that I know who didn't qualify for Algebra in 7th ARE prepped kids. They prepped like crazy over Winter break and on weekends. They still only got like 70th percentile on the IAAT. It's sad that these kids are now assumed to be unprepped and thus more worthy than the Algebra II kids.

I don't agree with them at all. Decisions are race-blind. They seem very entitled and support gaming the system with prep. I'm glad more children will now have a fair chance not just rich families that can afford to send their kids to Curie.