Anonymous
09/09/2024 18:54
Subject: AAP Recommendations - TJ, AOL/AOS, IB, or Stay?
Anonymous wrote:BLUF: I do not want my child's intellectual curiosity or desire to learn everything crushed along the way. I firmly believe it is a core part of his identity and a source of pride to himself.
Child is being encouraged by principal and teachers to apply to TJ, HS teachers at his feeder school want him there already, AOS is an option, and I don't really know or understand IB or its competitiveness with these other options. Looking for thoughts especially in consideration of what he wants to study in college and/or do for a career (more to follow). Would love to hear from anyone who's done high-school level AAP and went on to do something similar to his interests below.
Current 8th grader in LCPS. 4.0 throughout MS, all honors, taking Geometry and 2nd year of a foreign language. Already playing with HS marching band. Other ECs (if you call them that in MS).
Which sounds like 10,000 other kids, yes...but...
I think "field science" is his passion (wildlife / marine biology, conservation) v "lab" or "pure" science (microbiology, chemistry, physics). He's not interested in being a doctor, computer scientist, or in whatever status job some parents want of their kids.
Eyeing top-tier schools (him, not us). Very much a self-starter, focused, and applies himself when he has to. Neither parent is directing anything, this is all his own show--we're just here to help where we can and enjoy the performance.
Thanks in advance.
The number and variety of academically focused clubs is mind boggling. They build club activity into the schedule for like 3 hours a week.
It's got the critical mass of bright kids that you need to have a hundred different clubs and they aren't dinky clubs where a teacher babysits the kids while they try to figure out what to do. Generations of TJ students have built programs within these clubs.
Anonymous
09/09/2024 15:21
Subject: AAP Recommendations - TJ, AOL/AOS, IB, or Stay?
I have a TJ sophomore who is really enjoying his TJ experience. You have to go for the right reasons—a great peer group, access to educational opportunities that may not be available elsewhere, a strong interest in STEM, great extracurriculars, etc. You also have to be willing to work hard to do well, but try to avoid being outwardly competitive—having the right attitude is really important. As for college admissions, don’t go to TJ for that reason—you’ll never know if it will be an advantage or disadvantage. Let your kid apply and, if he gets in, go to the admitted student night to see if it’s a good fit. Whatever you do, don’t pressure him to go—let him make his own choice. I will say this, though—if you go for the right reasons, TJ can really be a great high school experience.
Anonymous
09/09/2024 15:17
Subject: Re:AAP Recommendations - TJ, AOL/AOS, IB, or Stay?
Investigate the options with your child and let them decide what they want to do. Attend meetings and open houses for the different options, if they are available. This needs to be their choice, not yours. If they are motivated to look outside theit base school, then they should be driving the research. It sounds like they are getting feedback at school, help them frame the questions and find the answers.
Anonymous
09/09/2024 15:07
Subject: AAP Recommendations - TJ, AOL/AOS, IB, or Stay?
BLUF: I do not want my child's intellectual curiosity or desire to learn everything crushed along the way. I firmly believe it is a core part of his identity and a source of pride to himself.
Child is being encouraged by principal and teachers to apply to TJ, HS teachers at his feeder school want him there already, AOS is an option, and I don't really know or understand IB or its competitiveness with these other options. Looking for thoughts especially in consideration of what he wants to study in college and/or do for a career (more to follow). Would love to hear from anyone who's done high-school level AAP and went on to do something similar to his interests below.
Current 8th grader in LCPS. 4.0 throughout MS, all honors, taking Geometry and 2nd year of a foreign language. Already playing with HS marching band. Other ECs (if you call them that in MS).
Which sounds like 10,000 other kids, yes...but...
I think "field science" is his passion (wildlife / marine biology, conservation) v "lab" or "pure" science (microbiology, chemistry, physics). He's not interested in being a doctor, computer scientist, or in whatever status job some parents want of their kids.
Eyeing top-tier schools (him, not us). Very much a self-starter, focused, and applies himself when he has to. Neither parent is directing anything, this is all his own show--we're just here to help where we can and enjoy the performance.
Thanks in advance.
Child is being encouraged by principal and teachers to apply to TJ, HS teachers at his feeder school want him there already, AOS is an option, and I don't really know or understand IB or its competitiveness with these other options. Looking for thoughts especially in consideration of what he wants to study in college and/or do for a career (more to follow). Would love to hear from anyone who's done high-school level AAP and went on to do something similar to his interests below.
Current 8th grader in LCPS. 4.0 throughout MS, all honors, taking Geometry and 2nd year of a foreign language. Already playing with HS marching band. Other ECs (if you call them that in MS).
Which sounds like 10,000 other kids, yes...but...
I think "field science" is his passion (wildlife / marine biology, conservation) v "lab" or "pure" science (microbiology, chemistry, physics). He's not interested in being a doctor, computer scientist, or in whatever status job some parents want of their kids.
Eyeing top-tier schools (him, not us). Very much a self-starter, focused, and applies himself when he has to. Neither parent is directing anything, this is all his own show--we're just here to help where we can and enjoy the performance.
Thanks in advance.