Anonymous wrote:Fit in with other nerds. That's why it's my dream school for DS! (It's his dream school for that and many other reasons)

They want more non-nerds. But those new kids are not able to do the work. Many teachers are leaving.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Access to a wide variety of post-AP math and science courses

which are also available at most FCPS schools

Not true. TJ offers many courses like, Electrodynamics (post AP Physics C), Organic Chemistry (post AP Chem), Neurobiology (post AP Biology), Differential Equations (post Multivariable Calc), etc... that are not available at base schools.

TJ was established for providing such challenging courses. If students expect to take basic minimum graduation satisfying courses that are at the low end of TJ rigor scale, then staying back at base school might be a better option for workload management and accommodating extracurriculars.

Fit in with other nerds. That's why it's my dream school for DS! (It's his dream school for that and many other reasons)

Only if they're really very intellectually curious and want the added special courses.

If they're run of the mill kids, then no, it's better to stand out in their home high school.

My older kid went to TJ, younger to base high school. My take is that TJ prepares you MUCH better for college and beyond. There is no spoon-feeding, students are expected to work hard. Peer group is excellent. I understand it might be difficult to get into state colleges but then there are several excellent out of state options open for TJ students. Older is working now in a West coast company and when he interviewed there, he was surprised that they had heard of TJ and it worked in his favor.

OP not sure if it helps but TJ offers Calculus BC, Multivariable calculus, Artificial Intelligence 1&2, Machine learning 1&2, Computer vision 1&2

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Access to a wide variety of post-AP math and science courses

which are also available at most FCPS schools

Calc AB is available at most base schools, no need to attend TJ and struggle to meet that minimum requirement.

Anonymous wrote:Access to a wide variety of post-AP math and science courses

which are also available at most FCPS schools

Anonymous wrote:They will have better teachers and peers.

but will likely have a tough time getting into a state flagship like UVA since they are competing with their classmates for limited spots

Access to a wide variety of post-AP math and science courses

In addition to math and science, solid reading skills come in handy. Students get assigned a ton of reading and writing assignments for most classes and projects.

High quality education.

They will have better teachers and peers.

TJ Math is demanding. If student is fluent in middle school math, and slightly advanced, they'll have plenty of like minded advanced peers to learn with and take on challenging TJ math and science courses. If not, they'll be playing constant catch-up with math and it would start taking away time from equally demanding english and social studies courses, and leave no time for clubs and sports.

I am trying to understand the good and bad side of going to TJ.
DC is very good at math and love science. But his English is so so and not very interested social study.
Should I push him on English and social study to get into TJ? Or just let him enjoy what he really likes?