They just take the GPA, they don’t compare the classes. This isn’t college, it is a public high school. AAP and Honors are supposed to be equivalent classes. All that matters is that you meet the basic requirements that are laid out. My kid has two years of foreign language in MS, he maintained an A but it is a risk that you take if you want to apply to TJ.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think any of this matters. It’s just unweighted GPA in core subjects — They aren’t weighing AAP v. Honors for rigor. Nor are they looking at who took world language in 7th. It’s basically a lottery at this point.

GPA is not only core the website states it includes language grade is accounted for GPA as mentioned below

GPA is calculated using 7th grade final marks (report card grades) and 1st Quarter 8th grade marks in math, science, English, and social studies. World language also is considered in this calculation if it is being taken for a full high school credit. We do not look at any other marks.

https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-admissions/eligibility-requirements

can anyone who have applied this year clarify ?

Yes, world language is included in GPA, since it’s a HS level course. What I meant is that I don’t think your child gets a bump or special credit for starting world language in 7th. It’s just another grade contributing to their overall unweighted GPA (along w core curriculum).

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think any of this matters. It’s just unweighted GPA in core subjects — They aren’t weighing AAP v. Honors for rigor. Nor are they looking at who took world language in 7th. It’s basically a lottery at this point.

GPA is not only core the website states it includes language grade is accounted for GPA as mentioned below

GPA is calculated using 7th grade final marks (report card grades) and 1st Quarter 8th grade marks in math, science, English, and social studies. World language also is considered in this calculation if it is being taken for a full high school credit. We do not look at any other marks.

https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-admissions/eligibility-requirements

can anyone who have applied this year clarify ?

I don’t think any of this matters. It’s just unweighted GPA in core subjects — They aren’t weighing AAP v. Honors for rigor. Nor are they looking at who took world language in 7th. It’s basically a lottery at this point.

Hi everyone,
I’m trying to better understand how TJ admissions evaluates academic rigor and GPA when students come from different middle-school paths.
Specifically:
Honor vs AAP coursework
How does TJ distinguish between a strong honors student and an AAP student when grading standards and course depth may differ by school? Is there any normalization or context applied when reviewing transcripts?
World language in 7th grade
Some students take a world language in 7th grade (which counts toward GPA), while others start in 8th grade or later.
• How is this difference handled in GPA evaluation?
• Are students who take a language earlier given additional credit for rigor, or is GPA viewed within the context of what was available/required at the school?
I’d really appreciate insight from families who’ve gone through the process or anyone familiar with how TJ reviews these differences.
Thank you!