Anonymous
04/28/2025 14:09
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Anonymous wrote:Can my son take Spanish 3 as a FCPS online class and then take a 2nd elective?
Yes, that would meet the minimum graduation requirement of three language credits before entering TJ. However, be aware that this path prevents the student from earning a fourth language credit at TJ, if that's important to the student.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 13:48
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Can my son take Spanish 3 as a FCPS online class and then take a 2nd elective?
Anonymous
04/28/2025 13:20
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Thank you. We are in a school where highest math is geometry. What is the path for acceleration at Tj?
We have already done 2 years of Spanish. Non Hispanic family. If we switch to German does it go against the 4 years of language requirement most colleges have?
The Geometry and prior to that Algebra 1 taught in middle school are often quite shallow, and that level of learning and practice would likely earn only a C at TJ. To succeed, student should put in genuine effort by completing all homework and extra practice problems and if needed use the 8th period support and teacher office hours to fully understand the concepts in-depth.
Thanks to the new principal Mr Mukai, the math pathway is now more streamlined. In your student's situation, the most practical acceleration would be to take Precalculus BC in sophomore year, followed by Calculus BC in junior year, and Multivariable Calculus in senior year.
As for world language, it’s ultimately your student's choice. Yes, they can switch to German and complete four credits, including AP German in senior year, or just retake TJ spanish 2 and finish with AP level.
Thank you so much. Why should they retake spanish 2? wouldnt they just take spanish 3 and finish off spanish 4 by sophomore?
This has been discussed extensively on this forum.
The Spanish 1 and 2 courses taught in LCPS, FCPS, and other public schools are not rigorous enough to prepare students for TJ Spanish 3. TJ’s preview night also advises against enrolling directly into TJ Spanish 3. However, some families — either unaware or by choice — have placed their freshmen into TJ Spanish 3, only to find their students struggling and dropping back to TJ Spanish 2 within a few weeks.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 13:07
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the 9th class choices - hoping it is explained tonight or tomorrow. Do kids use an elective for history? Computer science? PE? Econ? Is this why need to take classes over summer? Are there just 2 electives in 9th?
Freshman course selection:
ENGLISH 9 (IBET Integrated Block)
BIOLOGY (IBET Integrated Block)
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (IBET Integrated Block)
HEALTH AND PE 9 (**)
World Language:
Math:
Elective: (*)
(*) By default, students have only one elective slot in 9th grade, and the majority choose Foundations of Computer Science for that spot.
(**) However, a good number of students complete PE over the summer before entering TJ, which opens up space for a second elective during freshman year.
There’s no rush to fit Personal Finance Economics into 9th grade, as it can be taken pass/fail at any time during the year (in addition to the 7 courses), as long as it’s completed by the end of junior year. It can be taken during summer for credit as well. Many students also choose to take AP Macro/Micro economics after freshman year, which also fulfills the mandatory economics requirement.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 13:04
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Anonymous wrote:Thank you for this info and starting thread - are clubs 8th period choices?
Yes it is a choices, a lot of choices. The popular one fill up in second.
Some kids also just do the study hall instead.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 13:04
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Thank you. We are in a school where highest math is geometry. What is the path for acceleration at Tj?
We have already done 2 years of Spanish. Non Hispanic family. If we switch to German does it go against the 4 years of language requirement most colleges have?
The Geometry and prior to that Algebra 1 taught in middle school are often quite shallow, and that level of learning and practice would likely earn only a C at TJ. To succeed, student should put in genuine effort by completing all homework and extra practice problems and if needed use the 8th period support and teacher office hours to fully understand the concepts in-depth.
Thanks to the new principal Mr Mukai, the math pathway is now more streamlined. In your student's situation, the most practical acceleration would be to take Precalculus BC in sophomore year, followed by Calculus BC in junior year, and Multivariable Calculus in senior year.
As for world language, it’s ultimately your student's choice. Yes, they can switch to German and complete four credits, including AP German in senior year, or just retake TJ spanish 2 and finish with AP level.
Thank you so much. Why should they retake spanish 2? wouldnt they just take spanish 3 and finish off spanish 4 by sophomore?
Anonymous
04/28/2025 12:39
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
DC has been speaking Spanish since Kindergarten (Spanish Immersion) and not in the home. Will TJ Spanish still be too difficult?
Anonymous
04/28/2025 12:36
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Anonymous wrote:Thank you. We are in a school where highest math is geometry. What is the path for acceleration at Tj?
We have already done 2 years of Spanish. Non Hispanic family. If we switch to German does it go against the 4 years of language requirement most colleges have?
The Geometry and prior to that Algebra 1 taught in middle school are often quite shallow, and that level of learning and practice would likely earn only a C at TJ. To succeed, student should put in genuine effort by completing all homework and extra practice problems and if needed use the 8th period support and teacher office hours to fully understand the concepts in-depth.
Thanks to the new principal Mr Mukai, the math pathway is now more streamlined. In your student's situation, the most practical acceleration would be to take Precalculus BC in sophomore year, followed by Calculus BC in junior year, and Multivariable Calculus in senior year.
As for world language, it’s ultimately your student's choice. Yes, they can switch to German and complete four credits, including AP German in senior year, or just retake TJ spanish 2 and finish with AP level.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 12:28
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Thank you for this info and starting thread - are clubs 8th period choices?
Anonymous
04/28/2025 12:26
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
I don’t understand the 9th class choices - hoping it is explained tonight or tomorrow. Do kids use an elective for history? Computer science? PE? Econ? Is this why need to take classes over summer? Are there just 2 electives in 9th?
Anonymous
04/28/2025 12:16
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Thank you. We are in a school where highest math is geometry. What is the path for acceleration at Tj?
We have already done 2 years of Spanish. Non Hispanic family. If we switch to German does it go against the 4 years of language requirement most colleges have?
We have already done 2 years of Spanish. Non Hispanic family. If we switch to German does it go against the 4 years of language requirement most colleges have?
Anonymous
04/28/2025 12:02
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Anonymous wrote:So you've been admitted to TJ?
Congratulations.
TJ rigor is no joke and there is no lack of advice on whether or not you should attend.
If you do decide to attend, here are a few words of advice.
If you have been taking Spanish up until now and you do not speak Spanish in the home and/or are not culturally Hispanic, switch your language to German or something. Spanish is unreasonably difficult at TJ. French is almost as bad.
Think about taking econ the summer before TJ, it is a required course and you will probably wish you had that slot for something more interesting later on.
A lot of the clubs are capped in size so if you snooze you lose. A lot of clubs are almost frozen out for freshmen because upperclassmen have priority.
Try out for a sport you like, being on a team with upper classmen can provide a lot of peer support (academically, socially and emotionally) that you don't necessarily get from some of the clubs.
Pick at least a few clubs that sound fun and interesting. At LEAST half your clubs should just be fun. At least 1 club should resemble something that demonstrates academic interest. If you load up on clubs like your building a resume, you are going to burn out.
If you go to class and you understand everything that the teacher says and you so there, you are not prepared for the exams, you are on track for a C. Understanding the classroom material is just the starting point. You have to wrestle with the material and get a "deep" understanding. This is especially true in math. So many straight A math students with 99th percentile math standardized test scores get their first C in math at TJ.
If you didn't get in and you really think TJ is the place for you, you should consider froshmore admissions. It is more merit driven so if you get in as a froshmore you can be more confident that you will be able to handle things at TJ.
They take as many as 40 froshmore to back fill the class for all the kids that move out of the area (4-5 kids) and return to their base schools (was high as 40 kids for class of 2025).
Anonymous
04/28/2025 12:02
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So you've been admitted to TJ?
Congratulations.
TJ rigor is no joke and there is no lack of advice on whether or not you should attend.
If you do decide to attend, here are a few words of advice.
If you have been taking Spanish up until now and you do not speak Spanish in the home and/or are not culturally Hispanic, switch your language to German or something. Spanish is unreasonably difficult at TJ. French is almost as bad.
Think about taking econ the summer before TJ, it is a required course and you will probably wish you had that slot for something more interesting later on.
A lot of the clubs are capped in size so if you snooze you lose. A lot of clubs are almost frozen out for freshmen because upperclassmen have priority.
Try out for a sport you like, being on a team with upper classmen can provide a lot of peer support (academically, socially and emotionally) that you don't necessarily get from some of the clubs.
Pick at least a few clubs that sound fun and interesting. At LEAST half your clubs should just be fun. At least 1 club should resemble something that demonstrates academic interest. If you load up on clubs like your building a resume, you are going to burn out.
If you go to class and you understand everything that the teacher says and you so there, you are not prepared for the exams, you are on track for a C. Understanding the classroom material is just the starting point. You have to wrestle with the material and get a "deep" understanding. This is especially true in math. So many straight A math students with 99th percentile math standardized test scores get their first C in math at TJ.
Thanks! Could you elaborate on the econ remark? --Is it because it's boring or less useful or what?
I would suggest take PE summer instead to open up a slot.
Also, if you are a band kid, please joint marching band. It will start on the summer and really it will help you make friends before the school start.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 11:42
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
Anonymous wrote:So you've been admitted to TJ?
Congratulations.
TJ rigor is no joke and there is no lack of advice on whether or not you should attend.
If you do decide to attend, here are a few words of advice.
If you have been taking Spanish up until now and you do not speak Spanish in the home and/or are not culturally Hispanic, switch your language to German or something. Spanish is unreasonably difficult at TJ. French is almost as bad.
Think about taking econ the summer before TJ, it is a required course and you will probably wish you had that slot for something more interesting later on.
A lot of the clubs are capped in size so if you snooze you lose. A lot of clubs are almost frozen out for freshmen because upperclassmen have priority.
Try out for a sport you like, being on a team with upper classmen can provide a lot of peer support (academically, socially and emotionally) that you don't necessarily get from some of the clubs.
Pick at least a few clubs that sound fun and interesting. At LEAST half your clubs should just be fun. At least 1 club should resemble something that demonstrates academic interest. If you load up on clubs like your building a resume, you are going to burn out.
If you go to class and you understand everything that the teacher says and you so there, you are not prepared for the exams, you are on track for a C. Understanding the classroom material is just the starting point. You have to wrestle with the material and get a "deep" understanding. This is especially true in math. So many straight A math students with 99th percentile math standardized test scores get their first C in math at TJ.
Thanks! Could you elaborate on the econ remark? --Is it because it's boring or less useful or what?
Anonymous
04/28/2025 09:39
Subject: Advice to kids that got into TJ (and those who didn't)
So you've been admitted to TJ?
Congratulations.
TJ rigor is no joke and there is no lack of advice on whether or not you should attend.
If you do decide to attend, here are a few words of advice.
If you have been taking Spanish up until now and you do not speak Spanish in the home and/or are not culturally Hispanic, switch your language to German or something. Spanish is unreasonably difficult at TJ. French is almost as bad.
Think about taking econ the summer before TJ, it is a required course and you will probably wish you had that slot for something more interesting later on.
A lot of the clubs are capped in size so if you snooze you lose. A lot of clubs are almost frozen out for freshmen because upperclassmen have priority.
Try out for a sport you like, being on a team with upper classmen can provide a lot of peer support (academically, socially and emotionally) that you don't necessarily get from some of the clubs.
Pick at least a few clubs that sound fun and interesting. At LEAST half your clubs should just be fun. At least 1 club should resemble something that demonstrates academic interest. If you load up on clubs like your building a resume, you are going to burn out.
If you go to class and you understand everything that the teacher says and you so there, you are not prepared for the exams, you are on track for a C. Understanding the classroom material is just the starting point. You have to wrestle with the material and get a "deep" understanding. This is especially true in math. So many straight A math students with 99th percentile math standardized test scores get their first C in math at TJ.
Congratulations.
TJ rigor is no joke and there is no lack of advice on whether or not you should attend.
If you do decide to attend, here are a few words of advice.
If you have been taking Spanish up until now and you do not speak Spanish in the home and/or are not culturally Hispanic, switch your language to German or something. Spanish is unreasonably difficult at TJ. French is almost as bad.
Think about taking econ the summer before TJ, it is a required course and you will probably wish you had that slot for something more interesting later on.
A lot of the clubs are capped in size so if you snooze you lose. A lot of clubs are almost frozen out for freshmen because upperclassmen have priority.
Try out for a sport you like, being on a team with upper classmen can provide a lot of peer support (academically, socially and emotionally) that you don't necessarily get from some of the clubs.
Pick at least a few clubs that sound fun and interesting. At LEAST half your clubs should just be fun. At least 1 club should resemble something that demonstrates academic interest. If you load up on clubs like your building a resume, you are going to burn out.
If you go to class and you understand everything that the teacher says and you so there, you are not prepared for the exams, you are on track for a C. Understanding the classroom material is just the starting point. You have to wrestle with the material and get a "deep" understanding. This is especially true in math. So many straight A math students with 99th percentile math standardized test scores get their first C in math at TJ.