Anonymous wrote:How much more of a time commitment is ECNL than say a ECNL-RL league team? or an EDP? or any competitive team?

About double.

How much more of a time commitment is ECNL than say a ECNL-RL league team? or an EDP? or any competitive team?

My DS played 4 years travel soccer, 1 year JV, and 3 years varsity soccer @ TJ. It's doable. Encourage your DD to budget her time properly. She'll be fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Words of advice:
3. Be happy FCPS placed limits on homework time this year.

Does that apply to TJ?

DC mentioned a couple of teachers saying something along the lines of this should take you no more than 35 mins and I gave class time. Don’t want to hear complaints. So clearly TJ teachers are aware of the policy.

And they know how dumb something like that is with elite academic kids. Preposterous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Words of advice:
3. Be happy FCPS placed limits on homework time this year.

Does that apply to TJ?

DC mentioned a couple of teachers saying something along the lines of this should take you no more than 35 mins and I gave class time. Don’t want to hear complaints. So clearly TJ teachers are aware of the policy.

Anonymous wrote:Words of advice:
3. Be happy FCPS placed limits on homework time this year.

Does that apply to TJ?

We are at a Big 3 with a kid at Bethesda. It's been rough. We have to miss a regular amount of practice (.5-1 practice a week) to keep up with the studies. We've had studies in the car in the parking lot, late at night, early in the morning. Our kid is doing well academically but had to step back from goal of being top 5% of the class as there just wasn't enough time.

I think I'd just ask 'why'? Why are they playing soccer? Is it because they love it (great) or because it's for college or they are going to turn pro one day? What are the priorities 4 years from now? At this point it's probably gone beyond 'playing with friends' and 'just keeping fit' to a question of 'what is the goal of playing this level soccer at this age?'

Anonymous wrote:There are a couple of ECNL girls on the TJ soccer team. Have your daughter reach out to a girls soccer player if she knows one. The group is extremely nice (my daughter is on the team) and I'm sure they'd be happy to talk to her.

My kid is a senior at TJ and played all through school. It WASN’T easy, but you can do it. Have a chat with DD about being SUPER organized, utilize an 8th period here and there for study hall or to get additional help in a subject she may need help with, studying on the road, etc. Also, there were a few instances where my kid missed practices due to homework load or big test. Also, my kid’s coach was well aware of the TJ workload and worked with us (eg sometimes they wanted kids to be at x by a certain time, but we left later so he can attend class especially math and biology freshman year). I am hoping this year TJ follow the homework guidelines. Also, warning….I never felt like TJ supported missing school for sports.

There are a couple of ECNL girls on the TJ soccer team. Have your daughter reach out to a girls soccer player if she knows one. The group is extremely nice (my daughter is on the team) and I'm sure they'd be happy to talk to her.

I am sure that a u18/19 on McLean ECNL is a student at TJ and is heading to West Point after graduation. It can be done but sacrifices will need to be made.

Words of advice:
1. Fly to the NC/SC games to minimize school days missed.
2. Work ahead. On weekends, do all known homework for the upcoming week.
3. Be happy FCPS placed limits on homework time this year.

One of TJ’s counselors is a travel director/coach for Valor - Sean Burke. Might want to talk to him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD just started at TJ (TJHSST) two weeks ago as a freshman and is also playing ECNL. Any parents here have experience with their kids attending TJ and playing ECNL. It seems like it's going to be very difficult to manage the workload of school and ECNL commitments, any advice out there? Hoping to hear from folks who have actually gone through this.

You may want to email Kayley Sullivan (she went to TJ and was a strong soccer player). She is currently an Assistant Coach at UNLV. Doubt she follows DCUM soccer forum. But she probably could talk to you about balancing soccer and TJ

Feel like this forum gets so ugly. I'm not OP, but thanks for a helpful reply.

Anonymous wrote:DD just started at TJ (TJHSST) two weeks ago as a freshman and is also playing ECNL. Any parents here have experience with their kids attending TJ and playing ECNL. It seems like it's going to be very difficult to manage the workload of school and ECNL commitments, any advice out there? Hoping to hear from folks who have actually gone through this.

You may want to email Kayley Sullivan (she went to TJ and was a strong soccer player). She is currently an Assistant Coach at UNLV. Doubt she follows DCUM soccer forum. But she probably could talk to you about balancing soccer and TJ

DD just started at TJ (TJHSST) two weeks ago as a freshman and is also playing ECNL. Any parents here have experience with their kids attending TJ and playing ECNL. It seems like it's going to be very difficult to manage the workload of school and ECNL commitments, any advice out there? Hoping to hear from folks who have actually gone through this.