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[quote=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. [/quote]

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