Anonymous
Post 10/04/2013 09:55     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

It's all about critical mass. Are there enough smart kids that can test into such a school year after year to make it worth it? I don't have a definitive answer to that. We could create a smaller, test in high school similar to Dallas' TAG high school (#1 usnews fwiw), but then how would that be different from Tech, or Banneker? Perhaps we should just raise the entry standards for them?
Anonymous
Post 10/04/2013 07:01     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

It would skew whites but there's not enough whites in the school system to make it viable. While heck, doesn't TJ skew many asians, so I wouldn't think that the percentage would go directly to whites.

Test-in school like TJ and STEM school are two different calibers. DCPS has designated Woodson High School as their STEM school but it is definitely not a test-in.

A majority-white populated school would survive in DC but there's not anyone vested enough to be the first to start one.
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 23:48     Subject: Re:Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

Anonymous wrote:One of the Google guys went to UMD.


But they both went to Stanford.
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 22:44     Subject: Re:Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

One of the Google guys went to UMD.
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 22:42     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

This has been talked about in hundreds of posts. A true test in school of TJ caliber would skew so heavily white and high SES that it would never fly in DC. To make it appear more equitable, the standards would gave to be lowered for entry and well then you have Banneker, Mckninly and any other DC school.
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 18:58     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

^ yeah, TJ grads -if they don't major in the social sciences at UVA, they become high school teachers ~ we need the teachers. But for some reason the combination of TJ - UVA diminishes the ambitions of many students ~ especially young women.
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 18:53     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

Because, if it were a test-in school, it would skew non-AA, and that would be a problem.
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 18:50     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

banneker is dcps's ap/ib magnet. mckinely is a science/tech magnet
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 18:39     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

Most of TJ's graduates go off to UVA and major in the humanities.
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 17:22     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

Anonymous wrote:Oh my god, hello, Banneker?


By high school it is too late. BASIS offers advanced curriculum in math, science, AND English etc through the LEAP program, which is a school within a school. All kids take the same bio, chem and physics classes 6th and 7th grade, and then they branch out. English and the other areas branch in 8th.

It assumes that some kids can take Algebra I in 5th grade. And some can. There are four 7th graders taking precalculus. You want stem, you got it. Just lottery in, and STEM to your heart's content.

PS most LEAP kids graduate from high school a year early allowing them to do internships or other things that may make good college essays but also may find some co willing to pay their tuition....
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 16:32     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

Oh my god, hello, Banneker?
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 16:31     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

Here we go again. Yes PP is correct. We dont have the school age enrollment numbers that FFX has to make a go of something like TJ. Remember a school can only be funded by how many kids enrolled and DC would have too few to make a school like TJ viable.
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 16:23     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

Banneker.
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 16:03     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

This has been talked about before - will look for the link, but essentially we don't have enough students to make it work.
Anonymous
Post 10/03/2013 16:02     Subject: Why doesn't DC have a STEM school like TJ?

Jeff? You're really into local politics, this would be a great idea to tout really smart kids in the District and create competition. It would be a draw, and one day we could have a future Silicon Valley creative type talking about his great time at his DC public school.