I wouldn’t assume that the curriculum and standards will be watered down. Kids who can’t cut it will drop to base school. The teachers will teach as they always have.

For those who know other students at TJ, they will still apply. The more advanced students are in classes with cohorts in the year or 2 years ahead anyway. Those students have no choice but to go to TJ because a base school can not support them. All I can say is, fewer kids trying to get spots helps my DC and friends get in. Thanks for the help.

The initial test was not difficult for kids who ended up loving TJ. The second round used to be a holistic review of interest and ability in STEM with teacher recs. Now it involves “experience factors” and minimums by school with no teacher recs, without regard to AAP centers. The process is designed to prioritize and gather a different group of kids.

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be rude, bit it astounds me that you/your child believe they are so superior to other potential applicants. You are aware that each year there were 1000 plus kids who did well enough on the standardized test to get to the semi-final round but only 400+ accepted?

Yes, probably most of those 1000+ would have been highly advanced and capable. However, the admission criteria are very different now and will produce a cohort with a much broader range of abilities. This is not about being superior.

Not trying to be rude, bit it astounds me that you/your child believe they are so superior to other potential applicants. You are aware that each year there were 1000 plus kids who did well enough on the standardized test to get to the semi-final round but only 400+ accepted?

My stem-loving kid is opting out and so disappointed. The commute isn’t worth it for a watered down program.

I also know someone who decided against TJ admissions feeling it won't be as good after the changes.
They still applied to AOPS despite its watering down of standards. They knew someone who moved from
Stone Hill Middle School to west Loudoun to get one of the school's three guaranteed seats.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend with a smart 8th grader said, while he wanted to apply before, he doesn't want to apply now because he doesn't see it as desirable as it was before the admissions changes. He said if it wasn't going to have the best of the best there, it's not worth the extra trouble it takes to go there.

Good! TJ wants kids passionate about STEM not kids looking only for prestige. Your friends DS will be much better off at base school.

The reason many go out of their way to go to a school like that is to be challenged by their peers. Now, the chances that your classmates will be highly capable are less certain. Highly gifted learners are the losers in all of the identity politics.

Awwww. I can hear the sad violin music playing as I read this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend with a smart 8th grader said, while he wanted to apply before, he doesn't want to apply now because he doesn't see it as desirable as it was before the admissions changes. He said if it wasn't going to have the best of the best there, it's not worth the extra trouble it takes to go there.

Good! TJ wants kids passionate about STEM not kids looking only for prestige. Your friends DS will be much better off at base school.

The reason many go out of their way to go to a school like that is to be challenged by their peers. Now, the chances that your classmates will be highly capable are less certain. Highly gifted learners are the losers in all of the identity politics.

*TS

Anonymous wrote:My friend with a smart 8th grader said, while he wanted to apply before, he doesn't want to apply now because he doesn't see it as desirable as it was before the admissions changes. He said if it wasn't going to have the best of the best there, it's not worth the extra trouble it takes to go there.

Good! TJ wants kids passionate about STEM not kids looking only for prestige. Your friends DS will be much better off at base school.

My friend with a smart 8th grader said, while he wanted to apply before, he doesn't want to apply now because he doesn't see it as desirable as it was before the admissions changes. He said if it wasn't going to have the best of the best there, it's not worth the extra trouble it takes to go there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The youtube video has over 5K views already so I assume applications will be way up. Any predictions?

Which video are you referring to?

The TJ admissions one.

Anonymous wrote:The youtube video has over 5K views already so I assume applications will be way up. Any predictions?

Which video are you referring to?

The youtube video has over 5K views already so I assume applications will be way up. Any predictions?