Anonymous wrote:Why bother going to TJ if the student will have the same math sequence as most of the kids at the base school (Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-calculus, calculus) and won't take any advanced math classes?

It is not about the sequence. It is about the environment and what you are learning. If they child is passionate about STEM they will thrive at TJ. Also, like PP mentioned above...you just don't get that at any base school.

Because your kid might, say, work on launching a satellite or curing cancer during science class ...

Why bother going to TJ if the student will have the same math sequence as most of the kids at the base school (Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-calculus, calculus) and won't take any advanced math classes?

Anonymous wrote:The TJ math test is easy so that won't be a problem. The problem is only a small % of applicants applying with only algebra is selected where as most kids selected have at least Geometry and many have Algebra II or Pre-calculus. The likelihood of acceptance increases greatly from Algebra (around 2 - 3 %) to Algebra II or above (20 - 30%).

In addition, starting 9th grade at TJ with Geometry will put the kid in the lowest level in terms of math/science sequence and will not get a chance to take any math class beyond calculus and will have to wait until senior year to take physics etc. The kid will be known as one of the few "Geometry" kid through out 4 years.

TJ kids are much nicer than that. They do not care, particularly if your student is a girl.

Anonymous wrote:My kid didn't take Geometry in 8th grade and found no problem taking TJ test. He is taking Geometry now as freshman in TJ.

There are 28 students in the 9th grade Geometry class, so that would be 7% ?

Almost all (if not all) of the kids who might "struggle" with trying to keep the minimum 3.0 GPA are kids in Geometry or Algebra 2 classes not the ones in Pre-calculus or Calculus BC classes as freshmen.

Sometimes kids with advanced ability in math are rejected and this is due to defective admissions system placing too much emphasis on essays, SIS and not enough emphasis on GPA and test scores. You end up with kids who write decent/good essays/SIS but not really advanced or skilled in math getting accepted.

Anonymous wrote:The TJ math test is easy so that won't be a problem. The problem is only a small % of applicants applying with only algebra is selected where as most kids selected have at least Geometry and many have Algebra II or Pre-calculus. The likelihood of acceptance increases greatly from Algebra (around 2 - 3 %) to Algebra II or above (20 - 30%).

In addition, starting 9th grade at TJ with Geometry will put the kid in the lowest level in terms of math/science sequence and will not get a chance to take any math class beyond calculus and will have to wait until senior year to take physics etc. The kid will be known as one of the few "Geometry" kid through out 4 years.

Could you have your cause and effect backwards?

Given that we keep hearing that the kids selected to TJ are more often NOT the ones who are really good in math, are the kids mentioned above actually being accepted to TJ?
Or, perhaps the ones who speed through Math are accepted (through additional prep as well) but they are the ones who need remedial help because they don't have a thorough foundation?

Just food for thought....

Anonymous wrote:PP@13;18 How can many kids already have Algebra II or Pre-calculus before entering TJ as freshman? What middle schools offer these classes?

I think Longfellow and Carson (there may be others) offer Algebra 2 and some kids go to high school to take precalculus courses. Some even take the AP calculus BC exam and receive 5 to try to place into AP calculus BC as a TJ freshmen.

PP@13;18 How can many kids already have Algebra II or Pre-calculus before entering TJ as freshman? What middle schools offer these classes?

Entering TJ with only Algebra is like entering MIT with only precalculus or calculus AB.

Anonymous wrote:My kid didn't take Geometry in 8th grade and found no problem taking TJ test. He is taking Geometry now as freshman in TJ.

+1

The TJ math test is easy so that won't be a problem. The problem is only a small % of applicants applying with only algebra is selected where as most kids selected have at least Geometry and many have Algebra II or Pre-calculus. The likelihood of acceptance increases greatly from Algebra (around 2 - 3 %) to Algebra II or above (20 - 30%).

In addition, starting 9th grade at TJ with Geometry will put the kid in the lowest level in terms of math/science sequence and will not get a chance to take any math class beyond calculus and will have to wait until senior year to take physics etc. The kid will be known as one of the few "Geometry" kid through out 4 years.

My kid didn't take Geometry in 8th grade and found no problem taking TJ test. He is taking Geometry now as freshman in TJ.

So my DC got the IOWA test results back (in 6th grade). DC wants to attend TJ (no I never put it in her head). However, DC placed in Math7 honors and not in Algebra 1 honor. DC is strong in math and DC's grades reelect that..straight 4's in math for past 2-3 years. However, I think DC is a terrible test taker.

Does placing in Math7 honors put DC at a great disadvantage for getting into TJ and why?

I was told that it does because DC needs some geometry background for the TJ test and now DC will not be able to take geometry in 8th grade. It really is not a big deal for me personally either way but DC really wants to give TJ a try.



Anyone have any experience with this?