Thank you everyone for your replies. Moving in this market is not an option. We have other children. There is an out reach group for TJ parents and they all have considered this issue. It was the first issue brought up in the welcome speech at TJ. NO ONE thought it was a non issue. Many thought it was a very important issue.

OP, have you and your student talked in depth with your base high school about what it really can offer? Can your student get a solid science/math/tech grounding there? Does it also have rigorous, respected and well supported extracurriculars in this area such as Science Olympiad, Math Olympiad, other science or math competitions, a serious robotics program, etc.? Some high schools do have these kinds of programs and are highly competitive in them. If your base HS doesn't have anything to offer, then TJ may indeed be worth any commute. But TJ is not the end-all and be-all of science, math and tech, and it's not for everyone. Many a science major now in college from Fairfax County didn't go to TJ, and still got into college! TJ is great, but if going there would seriously affect your whole family (not just your TJ student -- you do have other family members to consider), then it's OK to get more information and at least consider other options. Yes, it's great to get in. Yes, it's a good school. But it's not the sole path to college and a science or math career.

If the commute is a real issue for your family, it's an issue. It's snarky of others to comment that "it's ONLY 16 miles" and how it's less than a work commute or less than what Loudon TJ students have to do. Make your decision based on both your kid's academic needs and your whole family's needs, not on these people berating you for just trying to make a tough call.

Also, kids can now do HW on Ipads and Chromebooks or catch up on reading. You can be very productive on a bus.

Your child can do homework or sleep on the bus. My son sleeps on the bus going and coming home.

Of course, if you feel it is too much for your child, there is a waiting list of students happy to take your child's spot.

I would give it a try and if the commute is too tiring, I would MOVE CLOSER. It seems to be too great of an opportunity for your son to pass up just because of the traffic. On the other hand, don't underestimate the fatigue involved in the long commute. To me, it would be worth to move. Congratulations and good luck!

Consider yourself lucky for being accepted to TJ. Commuting is just a good problem to have/deal with. There are about a couple of thousand kids not getting that opportunity.

16 miles away from TJ

You've got to be joking. That's a lot less than an average commute to work for just about everybody.

I guess people could find reasons for not attending Harvard too, if they were one of the lucky/hard working ones to be accepted there...

Anonymous wrote:My DS has accepted at TJ. But we live 16 miles away across traffic. I am afraid that too much time will be absorbed in transit time. Anyone else has this problem/solved this problem?

Only 16 miles away from TJ and you worry about your son does not have time to study. How many Loudoun county students who are attending TJ and living about 30 to 45 miles away from TJ. TIME MANAGEMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT when you attend TJ.

The people who bought my house were moving because their son got into TJ.

08:37 here again. You may want to talk to the middle school guidance counselor, and find out who else from the school is going. It's not impossible, of course, but you'll want to consider things like a game plan if he misses the bus, his social life criss-crossing Ffx county to hang out with friends, his level of motivation to manage a lot of additional responsibility. There were times I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner at school or while on the bus. The workload began to feel normal to me, but it was disheartening at times to feel like I was busting my butt everyday incl weekends and not getting straight A's like I prob would have had at base school. That was my personal experience long ago, obviously your son may have a different experience. No one would think a long commute to TJ is an easy road, but certainly doable especially if it is the right fit for him. It's hard to pass up an opportunity like Tj, so I wouldn't let your worry take over. Just focus on things you and he can do to keep things manageable-packing healthy snacks, finding others from your base school to commute with, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, no one in our neighborhood. I am very worried about it.

How's your kid feel about it? If he's really set on going to TJ, it's really not the worst thing to try it and move back to your home school if it doesn't work out. But for some smart kids, TJ is just not a good fit.

Thanks, no one in our neighborhood. I am very worried about it.

I didn't live that far away when I went to TJ, but it was still an incredibly long day, especially if I had to stay after school for any reason. It's possible to sleep or read on the bus, but not that easy to do other homework. Also consider that you'll be driving it fairly often the first few years, and possibly your DS will be driving that distance/time down the road, st which point he couldn't do hw unless carpooling. The bus will likely come very early. I know a lot of people who did long commutes, and I'm not trying to be discouraging, but it really is a lot for a young person to handle. Any activities/sports, and you're looking at very long days with no downtime. Very easy to get burnt out. Are there many others in your neighborhood going, or those who have gone through it already that you can discuss with?

You could try it and see if he can handle it. If not, he can always transfer back to his home High School, no shame in that. Give it a try, you and he will never know unless you try. Best Wishes and CONGRATULATIONS!

My DS has accepted at TJ. But we live 16 miles away across traffic. I am afraid that too much time will be absorbed in transit time. Anyone else has this problem/solved this problem?