Hi all! My name is Jen and I'm the cluster rep for Arlington/Falls Church (and I have 2 kids currently at TJ). What that means is I help families that are new to TJ (or trying to decide whether to send their child to TJ) learn about the school and get acclimated. As a previous poster said, we do (1) have a Facebook group and (2) host a potluck for newly admitted students and their families (date TBD, but in May). I'd prefer to leave the information to that for now -- I'm not a big believer in DCUM postings about TJ (they are FULL of inaccuracies -- which if your child attends TJ you will learn to laugh at). So, if you have a newly admitted student please look for our Facebook group and ask to join. Ask around if you can't find us and feel free to ask around to get my contact info -- any Arlington family with a kid at TJ can help you get in touch with me via Facebook messaging or through the group (and many have my email as well).

I know many of you are desperate for any information you can find about TJ to help your child make a decision. I get it, I've been there. I would urge you though to ONLY speak to families with KIDS AT TJ about the school. As much as they may try and act like they know, people who haven't had a child at the school largely don't know what they are talking about (see my earlier comment on baseless posts on DCUM). Oh, and please don't post questions here . . . I won't look back at this string of posts. I'm rarely on here (and only knew about this thread because some kind Arlington TJ mom told me about it). Again -- get your information from the source . . . it will make life much easier for you and your child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is in but says he isn’t going. I want to try and get more information for him and see if he knows anyone else going. Base school is Yorktown. Has a scholarship offer at O’Connell. Did not apply anywhere else.

Why are you pressuring your kid? He has already told you he doesn’t want to go to TJ, which is a decision that dozens of admitted students make every year. He is the one who’d have to go there for four years, not you.

+1

Too much pressure.

11:40 here! Thank you! And congratulations to your son as well!

I don't particularly think the academics will be better at Arlington public high schools than DJO, in fact, there are more opportunities at the public schools (languages, electives, people to meet). The style of instruction is different, but I think in four years those in public school and those in Catholic school will come out about the same. The peer group is one thing at DJO, as most kids go in from K-8s in hugs droves and have been friends for a while- but if your son is the only one from his school going to DJO, then that's not as pivotal.

DJO is also very much a 'sporty' school, so if your son likes sports, that also might be a reason why he might prefer DJO. The work load at OConnell also isn't that bad freshman year (from what students have said), but no matter where they go for high school, they're going to have to learn to manage their time/work eventually, so might as well establish these habits early on.

After her shadow day, my daughter said 'It was alright, basically the same as middle school.' I'm assuming your son goes to a Catholic K-8 (sorry if I'm wrong) but the work and teaching style is probably very similar, if he likes that or not. Did he shadow? (Though shadow days depend a lot on the host)

The thing about TJ is that it's kind of a one-time offer, like if he doesn't take it now, he can't revert the decision.

My daughter has decided to go to TJ, knowing that she can drop to base or transfer to DJO if she would like. All of these schools are great options, though, and I wish your son the best!

Tldr; DJO academic wise, it's okay. Yorktown, if he wants to go to the same school as his friends, is a very very good choice. Probably the same level as DJO.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in the same place, 50% DJO scholarship and accepted into TJ, base school Washington Lee. Yes, it is a good opportunity. We're also considering tuition and peer group—but if your DS has already said that he's going to O'Connell, let him spend some time texting (I would say talking, but it's spring break) his current friends instead of making a decision right off the bat. You have a whole week from today to decide...make sure he is aware of what he is gaining and giving up. But still keep it his choice.

Did your daughter do a shadow day at DJO? Did she like it? I was concerned about academics at DJO - do you think they will be any better (or even as good) than WL or Yorktown. My DS thinks TJ will be too hard - he was told it is a lot of work. He has not decided on DJO either. I wish they could shadow at TJ. Several friends going to St. Johns and Gonzaga as well as WL and Yorktown. No friends going to TJ or DJO.

Has your daughter decided? And congrats to her for TJ and the DJO scholarship.

It seems like Gonzaga, far more than TJ, would have been the perfect fit for your DS.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in the same place, 50% DJO scholarship and accepted into TJ, base school Washington Lee. Yes, it is a good opportunity. We're also considering tuition and peer group—but if your DS has already said that he's going to O'Connell, let him spend some time texting (I would say talking, but it's spring break) his current friends instead of making a decision right off the bat. You have a whole week from today to decide...make sure he is aware of what he is gaining and giving up. But still keep it his choice.

Did your daughter do a shadow day at DJO? Did she like it? I was concerned about academics at DJO - do you think they will be any better (or even as good) than WL or Yorktown. My DS thinks TJ will be too hard - he was told it is a lot of work. He has not decided on DJO either. I wish they could shadow at TJ. Several friends going to St. Johns and Gonzaga as well as WL and Yorktown. No friends going to TJ or DJO.

Has your daughter decided? And congrats to her for TJ and the DJO scholarship.

My daughter is in the same place, 50% DJO scholarship and accepted into TJ, base school Washington Lee. Yes, it is a good opportunity. We're also considering tuition and peer group—but if your DS has already said that he's going to O'Connell, let him spend some time texting (I would say talking, but it's spring break) his current friends instead of making a decision right off the bat. You have a whole week from today to decide...make sure he is aware of what he is gaining and giving up. But still keep it his choice.

Did he look at the links in the admitted students page? Lots of little videos. Also have him talk to other kids there. The Arlington kids I know there seem to love the school. Agreed that it is a hard opportunity to pass up if he loves science/tech/math.

His decision to apply. No pressure from us and we certainly won't make him go. No prep classes or anything else. I have no idea what he wrote on his SIS essays.

It just seems like such a great opportunity to pass on. He has never had to work hard (at all) in school and he likely thinks it will be hard. Of course, it will be but I don't think he will struggle too much. He just might have to do some homework for a change. He is not a bookish kids - plays baseball and video games. He doesn't think he will fit in.

We just want him to weigh pros and cons not just decline because it might be a lot of work.

Whose decision was it to apply in the first place, and why doesn't he want to go now? TJ is a great school for certain kids, but if it's not the right environment for your child, it can be awful. If his instinct is telling him it's not the right fit for him, that's something to listen to. If he was enthusiastic before and is now getting cold feet because he won't be with his current friend group anymore, trying to connect with other admitted students is a good idea (but still leave the decision to him).

Anonymous wrote:My DS is in but says he isn’t going. I want to try and get more information for him and see if he knows anyone else going. Base school is Yorktown. Has a scholarship offer at O’Connell. Did not apply anywhere else.

Why are you pressuring your kid? He has already told you he doesn’t want to go to TJ, which is a decision that dozens of admitted students make every year. He is the one who’d have to go there for four years, not you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is in but says he isn’t going. I want to try and get more information for him and see if he knows anyone else going. Base school is Yorktown. Has a scholarship offer at O’Connell. Did not apply anywhere else.

Three very different school choices!!!

During opening orientation, I remember the counselors told everyone in the gym that the student should be aware that once he/she turns TJ down, he/she can’t go to TJ anymore. My take away at the time was at least try, you will always have your base school. Now that we are there, I have to tell you just how amazing the school is. The support is incredible. The students and parents all help each other. Are there kids who are struggling? Yes, but that is the case at every school, just different student body. And yes, there are people going back to base school.

Patrick O. A very different school from Yorktown and TJ. My guess is you want a smaller school than Yorktown or maybe you want the religion component. Both are valid reasons. Academically, I don’t see much a difference. With full scholarship, it is hard to say no. But if an admission is offered at TJ at one of the nations’s top schools, one should at least try. Can you defer enrollment at Patrick O?

What is Patrick O? I assume you mean DJO/O’Connell?

Anonymous wrote:My DS is in but says he isn’t going. I want to try and get more information for him and see if he knows anyone else going. Base school is Yorktown. Has a scholarship offer at O’Connell. Did not apply anywhere else.

Three very different school choices!!!

During opening orientation, I remember the counselors told everyone in the gym that the student should be aware that once he/she turns TJ down, he/she can’t go to TJ anymore. My take away at the time was at least try, you will always have your base school. Now that we are there, I have to tell you just how amazing the school is. The support is incredible. The students and parents all help each other. Are there kids who are struggling? Yes, but that is the case at every school, just different student body. And yes, there are people going back to base school.

Patrick O. A very different school from Yorktown and TJ. My guess is you want a smaller school than Yorktown or maybe you want the religion component. Both are valid reasons. Academically, I don’t see much a difference. With full scholarship, it is hard to say no. But if an admission is offered at TJ at one of the nations’s top schools, one should at least try. Can you defer enrollment at Patrick O?

Look for Arlington- Falls Church TJHSST Families Facebook group. I don't think the potluck happens in time for the decision. There may be a new student open house happening at TJ next weekend.

I think TJ can put you in touch with the Arlington/Falls Church parent coordinator. They have a potluck at someone's house before the acceptances are due so you and your child can talk to other TJ families.

My DS is in but says he isn’t going. I want to try and get more information for him and see if he knows anyone else going. Base school is Yorktown. Has a scholarship offer at O’Connell. Did not apply anywhere else.