What are the new TJ feeders

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

My child is not at a feeder school. Not that many kids taking alg 2 in 8th grade. I thought the admissions people would be at least honest about choosing the top 1.5% from within our school. This did not happen. I am waiting to see who actually got in from our school, but I already know of 4.0 kids with Algebra 2 honors getting rejected from our school.

Admission process is corrupt. I cannot believe there is no transparency and no accountability

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is not at a feeder school. Not that many kids taking alg 2 in 8th grade. I thought the admissions people would be at least honest about choosing the top 1.5% from within our school. This did not happen. I am waiting to see who actually got in from our school, but I already know of 4.0 kids with Algebra 2 honors getting rejected from our school.

Admission process is corrupt. I cannot believe there is no transparency and no accountability

Really? I mean, did you actually believe them when they said that?

There are enough lawyers on this forum. Why can't each of you sue FCPS SEPARATELY. Make them run around and respond to each case.. Would be fun watching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is not at a feeder school. Not that many kids taking alg 2 in 8th grade. I thought the admissions people would be at least honest about choosing the top 1.5% from within our school. This did not happen. I am waiting to see who actually got in from our school, but I already know of 4.0 kids with Algebra 2 honors getting rejected from our school.

Admission process is corrupt. I cannot believe there is no transparency and no accountability

Really? I mean, did you actually believe them when they said that?

There are enough lawyers on this forum. Why can't each of you sue FCPS SEPARATELY. Make them run around and respond to each case.. Would be fun watching.

I tried to sue but my lawyer said I had no case. I told them that I should be able to game the system with prep classes but they said I had no such right and laughed at me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is not at a feeder school. Not that many kids taking alg 2 in 8th grade. I thought the admissions people would be at least honest about choosing the top 1.5% from within our school. This did not happen. I am waiting to see who actually got in from our school, but I already know of 4.0 kids with Algebra 2 honors getting rejected from our school.

Admission process is corrupt. I cannot believe there is no transparency and no accountability

Really? I mean, did you actually believe them when they said that?

There are enough lawyers on this forum. Why can't each of you sue FCPS SEPARATELY. Make them run around and respond to each case.. Would be fun watching.

I tried to sue but my lawyer said I had no case. I told them that I should be able to game the system with prep classes but they said I had no such right and laughed at me.

I know you meant to be funny... Pls. don't give up your day job (if you have one).

[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.

TJ feeders are the schools where enrolling in TJ prep classes is common.

[Anonymous]

We are at a top 5 or 6 traditional feeder school and an AAP center. My child was in AAP classes / Honors Algebra 1 and got accepted to TJ. I know of other students with higher math and similar or slightly higher grades that were denied. I do feel bad for the many students who have worked very hard, studied, did STEM ECs whether or not they test prepped. My child Did not do any test prep and Probably would not have applied under the old system because test prep was not an option for our family nor did we really know about it. Child does not have any STEM extracurriculars but it seems that is not a factor anymore and also a reason wouldn’t have applied under the old system. Although happy for the TJ offer, do not believe the change in admissions policy is legal and hope that it is reversed. I read the legal filings for the lawsuits and listened to comments made by school board members and others involved with the changes and it is shocking and blatantly racist against Asians. I will not understand if the court outcomes are in favor of the FCPS school board. These changes to admissions policy were clearly made with the intent to discriminate against Asian kids.

[Anonymous]

OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

[Anonymous]

OMG. Get over it, OP. You sound pathetic.

[Anonymous]

That proposed reform of math pathways seems well aligned with eliminating advanced math and science classes at TJ…

[Anonymous]

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.

Well, you win the Internet for dumb today.

[Anonymous]

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.