Be okay with grades below A and the student will be fine.

Anonymous wrote:My DC got acceptance to TJ and AET (Loudoun) and we are having a hard time deciding where to go. He is okay with Math but is not one of those Math counts / AMC kind of kid who lives and breathes math. He is extremely hard working and where he may be lacking in Math, he makes it up by sheer hard work. He excels at all the other STEM subjects, especially science. Would TJ be a good fit for him? Is TJ math-intensive? Are all kids attending TJ, mathematical geniuses? We are a little apprehensive after speaking with current and former students who mentioned that the Math teachers at TJ do not actively teach the subject and kids are left to learn most of it on their own. He aims to pursue a career in science and may stop Math by taking AP Calculus BC in senior year. Have non-math kids thrived at TJ?

OP, I suggest you go to the parent preview night and talk to people. My kid also accepted into both. Kid is very good at math (taking Alg2/Trig currently and getting an easy A) but doesn’t like the math counts/competitions and has a lot of interests, STEM and non-STEM. I don’t think they have to live and breathe math at TJ.

In that case AET math will be easy for them, and they will take AP calculus in 11th grade. They can do AB and then BC, or there might be other options at AET for 12th grade. There definitely will be other options at the base school, though the scheduling could be tough. A lot of students at AOS/AET take a summer PE or foreign language class to clear some space.

For algebra 2 students, they might start at a higher level class like Math 5. This is what many students had trouble with last year, but they were taking it second semester and probably entered with either algebra 1 or geometry in 8th grade.



I would say someone with an A would not have trouble, but possibly would if they really had to struggle to get that A. The LCPS alg 2/trig class is weak and doesn't cover trig very well or for that matter alg 2. I don't know the TJ curriculum to say if this deficiency would have an impact.

Anonymous wrote:What math class is the student in right now?
I have heard that AET math is easy, but others on here have posted that it is not, and sometimes tutors are needed.

TJ math is definitely harder than AET math, but they have choices for what math class the kids will start in. I don't think it is required for students to do more than calculus BC by senior year, but not sure.

One caveat, there is now a geometry class listed for AET/AOS, so they might be moving away from the cohort system for math in the future.

Alg2/Trig. They have an A currently.

What math class is the student in right now?
I have heard that AET math is easy, but others on here have posted that it is not, and sometimes tutors are needed.

TJ math is definitely harder than AET math, but they have choices for what math class the kids will start in. I don't think it is required for students to do more than calculus BC by senior year, but not sure.

One caveat, there is now a geometry class listed for AET/AOS, so they might be moving away from the cohort system for math in the future.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Success at TJ has many paths, some with even non-STEM outcomes. You definitely don't need to be a math genius to do well (my kids did AB Calc before BC)

What you do need, and I think is the biggest predictor of success, is a strong work ethic, good executive skills, some people skills (for teams) and a healthy desire to learn and be involved in activities outside class.

The main benefit at TJ is the cohort and the hope that they might inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

So a kid with a 504 should avoid?

Previous years may have been tough depending on the circumstances. But these new standards have brought in many more generally average math students (8th grade Algebra) and inclusion for special education and english language learners. I think the school will be more receptive to any good student who meets the requirements and has a 504. In fact, its considered a bump in admissions and will give a student with a 504 a leg up over other applicants.

ES and MS have been good, with teachers that are experienced and supportive. But I'm not sure that DC is a good candidate to blaze a trail with teachers who are not already familiar and experienced with kids with executive function deficits, advocate for himself and educate them.

TJ would not have adopted this new admissions standard if this was not what they wanted. It shows in their acceptance numbers as well. They nearly tripled their special education admit numbers. Im sure the OP can make the right choice for themselves, but i wouldnt necessarily steer them away from this new diverse and inclusive TJ.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Success at TJ has many paths, some with even non-STEM outcomes. You definitely don't need to be a math genius to do well (my kids did AB Calc before BC)

What you do need, and I think is the biggest predictor of success, is a strong work ethic, good executive skills, some people skills (for teams) and a healthy desire to learn and be involved in activities outside class.

The main benefit at TJ is the cohort and the hope that they might inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

So a kid with a 504 should avoid?

Previous years may have been tough depending on the circumstances. But these new standards have brought in many more generally average math students (8th grade Algebra) and inclusion for special education and english language learners. I think the school will be more receptive to any good student who meets the requirements and has a 504. In fact, its considered a bump in admissions and will give a student with a 504 a leg up over other applicants.

ES and MS have been good, with teachers that are experienced and supportive. But I'm not sure that DC is a good candidate to blaze a trail with teachers who are not already familiar and experienced with kids with executive function deficits, advocate for himself and educate them.

^^^ Not OP, a DP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Success at TJ has many paths, some with even non-STEM outcomes. You definitely don't need to be a math genius to do well (my kids did AB Calc before BC)

What you do need, and I think is the biggest predictor of success, is a strong work ethic, good executive skills, some people skills (for teams) and a healthy desire to learn and be involved in activities outside class.

The main benefit at TJ is the cohort and the hope that they might inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

So a kid with a 504 should avoid?

Previous years may have been tough depending on the circumstances. But these new standards have brought in many more generally average math students (8th grade Algebra) and inclusion for special education and english language learners. I think the school will be more receptive to any good student who meets the requirements and has a 504. In fact, its considered a bump in admissions and will give a student with a 504 a leg up over other applicants.

ES and MS have been good, with teachers that are experienced and supportive. But I'm not sure that DC is a good candidate to blaze a trail with teachers who are not already familiar and experienced with kids with executive function deficits, advocate for himself and educate them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Success at TJ has many paths, some with even non-STEM outcomes. You definitely don't need to be a math genius to do well (my kids did AB Calc before BC)

What you do need, and I think is the biggest predictor of success, is a strong work ethic, good executive skills, some people skills (for teams) and a healthy desire to learn and be involved in activities outside class.

The main benefit at TJ is the cohort and the hope that they might inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

So a kid with a 504 should avoid?

Previous years may have been tough depending on the circumstances. But these new standards have brought in many more generally average math students (8th grade Algebra) and inclusion for special education and english language learners. I think the school will be more receptive to any good student who meets the requirements and has a 504. In fact, its considered a bump in admissions and will give a student with a 504 a leg up over other applicants.

Anonymous wrote:Success at TJ has many paths, some with even non-STEM outcomes. You definitely don't need to be a math genius to do well (my kids did AB Calc before BC)

What you do need, and I think is the biggest predictor of success, is a strong work ethic, good executive skills, some people skills (for teams) and a healthy desire to learn and be involved in activities outside class.

The main benefit at TJ is the cohort and the hope that they might inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

Very valuable insight. I do believe that my son has atleast a few of those traits. This is re-assuring.

Anonymous wrote:Success at TJ has many paths, some with even non-STEM outcomes. You definitely don't need to be a math genius to do well (my kids did AB Calc before BC)

What you do need, and I think is the biggest predictor of success, is a strong work ethic, good executive skills, some people skills (for teams) and a healthy desire to learn and be involved in activities outside class.

The main benefit at TJ is the cohort and the hope that they might inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

So a kid with a 504 should avoid?

Anonymous wrote:Your kid would be absolutely fine. About 5% of students (around 25) I would say are hard core math.

Lot more to TJ than just math. Good luck!

Thank you! I appreciate your response!!

Success at TJ has many paths, some with even non-STEM outcomes. You definitely don't need to be a math genius to do well (my kids did AB Calc before BC)

What you do need, and I think is the biggest predictor of success, is a strong work ethic, good executive skills, some people skills (for teams) and a healthy desire to learn and be involved in activities outside class.

The main benefit at TJ is the cohort and the hope that they might inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

Your kid would be absolutely fine. About 5% of students (around 25) I would say are hard core math.

Lot more to TJ than just math. Good luck!

My DC got acceptance to TJ and AET (Loudoun) and we are having a hard time deciding where to go. He is okay with Math but is not one of those Math counts / AMC kind of kid who lives and breathes math. He is extremely hard working and where he may be lacking in Math, he makes it up by sheer hard work. He excels at all the other STEM subjects, especially science. Would TJ be a good fit for him? Is TJ math-intensive? Are all kids attending TJ, mathematical geniuses? We are a little apprehensive after speaking with current and former students who mentioned that the Math teachers at TJ do not actively teach the subject and kids are left to learn most of it on their own. He aims to pursue a career in science and may stop Math by taking AP Calculus BC in senior year. Have non-math kids thrived at TJ?