Reply to A question about the actual students at Thomas Jefferson for anyone who has actually met them:

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[quote=Gypsyzoo]My son is from one of the smaller middle school centers but every one of the kids who was admitted to TJ has been in FCPS with him since third grade.  Could there be a few kids who recently moved here from abroad?  I am sure there could be, but it is not a significant number.  I just called a good friend of mine who has a sophomore at TJ and asked about how many kids just moved here... She laughed.  She said while there may be a handful, most are born and bred in good ole Fairfax County. She is not aware of any kids who do not speak fluent English.

The Student Information Sheet which used to be a "take home" essay, was given in the middle schools in a controlled setting this year.  In our school there were no big surprises.  The kids that I assumed would get in did - good grades, hard workers, very involved in school activities and all around nice kids.  A couple of very bright kids did not get in but they had few (if any) extra activities and had not taken on any leadership roles.  I am not sure if it really should matter, but I do think they look at how much time you spend volunteering and following your interests outside of school, especially math & science interests.

Lastly, I have never posted on this site and only recently started looking at it now and then.  I am shocked about how much misinformation there is. TJ is clearly not for everyone.  Lots of very bright kids my son knew didn't apply - not because there are "too many Asians" - but because they decided that they didn't want the high pressure environment.  Sound reasonable because again it is not for everyone.  Some very bright kids don't get in because there are simply not enough slots.  Sad but true.

I went to a TJ meet and greet the other night and the kids on the student panel from our cluster were awesome.  Nice, well rounded and honest about both the work load and the amazing student culture at the school.

Lastly, I now see that people are bashing that this school is number 4 in the nation.  Wow, just wow!  I think everyone needs to relax.  I would also encourage people to look at the number of students in the top rated schools.  Imagine how much easier it must be to run a school of under 300 kids!  Imagine if TJ only took the top 70 or so from the area each year.  You can't compare these schools, it is ridiculous.  They are all good and give kids a great education.

I am now going to leave DCUM and not return.  Too many mean people!

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