Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got into both TJ and AOS and we are at a decision point. My main concern is that I have heard from more than a few TJ parents that the teachers at TJ are not really that great. They don’t teach much and just let the students study by themselves. To certain extent, they are “spoiled” by the smart students, and all they need to do is to prepare hard quizzes. The TJ experience is mainly an experience of fierce competition among a bunch of very competitive kids.

1. Are TJ teachers really that bad?

2. Now with the quality of TJ admissions been watered down for 2 years, will this class of 2027 suffer from the deteriorating reputation from class of 2025 and 2026?

The class of 2027 will be the strongest admitted to date. Especially since the new process emphasizes natural ability over prep and test buying.

TJ is also a more collegial and less toxic environment.

With the lowering standards and math admits, Chantilly will probably end up being the better STEM bet. The Math profiles are now similar.

You got that backwards. They raised the standards by eliminating the preppers and test buyers and replacing them with the best and brightest from the whole county, not just the wealthiest schools where parents invested heavily in prep.

incorrect. 1/3 of TJ will now be average math tracks. my reasonably smart, non-aap, gened, non-tj applicant kid will achieve greater math aptitude by 12th grade than 1/3 of TJ.

rocky run -> chantilly + academies is probably a better STEM environment with higher mathematic aptitude.

So you’re basing this evaluation on 1/3 of TJ, when the same level or below applies to 95% of chantilly? That’s just stupid.

Need to create waitlist movement somehow....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why anyone from Loudoun would schlep to TJ now if they can attend AOS, especially given the declining rigor of TJ. It will take a few years to be documented but it’s not fiercely committed to excellence any longer. It’s just kind of…there.

Some kids may want the full high school.
Many who get into TJ did not get admitted to AOS or AET.
TJ offers more opportunities than AOS/AET in math and science classes. Some students can get calculus sooner by declining AOS where you will not get until 11th grade.
At TJ you can take in 9th grade if you are good enough.

AOS and AET have very set curriculum. There is not much flexibility if the kid changes their mind later. Also there's no math tracking at AOS/AET. The whole cohort follows the same math curriculum. Other than the long commute from Loudoun, TJ is a much better option as compared to AOS/AET.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got into both TJ and AOS and we are at a decision point. My main concern is that I have heard from more than a few TJ parents that the teachers at TJ are not really that great. They don’t teach much and just let the students study by themselves. To certain extent, they are “spoiled” by the smart students, and all they need to do is to prepare hard quizzes. The TJ experience is mainly an experience of fierce competition among a bunch of very competitive kids.

1. Are TJ teachers really that bad?

2. Now with the quality of TJ admissions been watered down for 2 years, will this class of 2027 suffer from the deteriorating reputation from class of 2025 and 2026?

The class of 2027 will be the strongest admitted to date. Especially since the new process emphasizes natural ability over prep and test buying.

TJ is also a more collegial and less toxic environment.

With the lowering standards and math admits, Chantilly will probably end up being the better STEM bet. The Math profiles are now similar.

You got that backwards. They raised the standards by eliminating the preppers and test buyers and replacing them with the best and brightest from the whole county, not just the wealthiest schools where parents invested heavily in prep.

incorrect. 1/3 of TJ will now be average math tracks. my reasonably smart, non-aap, gened, non-tj applicant kid will achieve greater math aptitude by 12th grade than 1/3 of TJ.

rocky run -> chantilly + academies is probably a better STEM environment with higher mathematic aptitude.

The math tracks are different at TJ, and do not follow the same one year for geometry. etc path. The students who take algebra 1 in 8th grade have to be very capable of handling math to do well there. This is why they used to take less than 10 students at that level of math.

The math tracks still lead to calculus a students senior year if the enroll with only Algebra under their belt. sorry many TJ kids will be behind many FCPS gened HS students in math.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got into both TJ and AOS and we are at a decision point. My main concern is that I have heard from more than a few TJ parents that the teachers at TJ are not really that great. They don’t teach much and just let the students study by themselves. To certain extent, they are “spoiled” by the smart students, and all they need to do is to prepare hard quizzes. The TJ experience is mainly an experience of fierce competition among a bunch of very competitive kids.

1. Are TJ teachers really that bad?

2. Now with the quality of TJ admissions been watered down for 2 years, will this class of 2027 suffer from the deteriorating reputation from class of 2025 and 2026?

The class of 2027 will be the strongest admitted to date. Especially since the new process emphasizes natural ability over prep and test buying.

TJ is also a more collegial and less toxic environment.

With the lowering standards and math admits, Chantilly will probably end up being the better STEM bet. The Math profiles are now similar.

You got that backwards. They raised the standards by eliminating the preppers and test buyers and replacing them with the best and brightest from the whole county, not just the wealthiest schools where parents invested heavily in prep.

incorrect. 1/3 of TJ will now be average math tracks. my reasonably smart, non-aap, gened, non-tj applicant kid will achieve greater math aptitude by 12th grade than 1/3 of TJ.

rocky run -> chantilly + academies is probably a better STEM environment with higher mathematic aptitude.

The math tracks are different at TJ, and do not follow the same one year for geometry. etc path. The students who take algebra 1 in 8th grade have to be very capable of handling math to do well there. This is why they used to take less than 10 students at that level of math.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why anyone from Loudoun would schlep to TJ now if they can attend AOS, especially given the declining rigor of TJ. It will take a few years to be documented but it’s not fiercely committed to excellence any longer. It’s just kind of…there.

The lengths some will go to try and get off the TJ waitlist by encouraging others to drop out are astonishing.

There was someone at our school who was encouraged to drop out, because there was a teacher that was encouraging parents to consider whether they are capable of TJ's rigor.
This particular student was clearly not capable, and declined admission despite not having an acceptance to Academies of Loudoun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got into both TJ and AOS and we are at a decision point. My main concern is that I have heard from more than a few TJ parents that the teachers at TJ are not really that great. They don’t teach much and just let the students study by themselves. To certain extent, they are “spoiled” by the smart students, and all they need to do is to prepare hard quizzes. The TJ experience is mainly an experience of fierce competition among a bunch of very competitive kids.

1. Are TJ teachers really that bad?

2. Now with the quality of TJ admissions been watered down for 2 years, will this class of 2027 suffer from the deteriorating reputation from class of 2025 and 2026?

The class of 2027 will be the strongest admitted to date. Especially since the new process emphasizes natural ability over prep and test buying.

TJ is also a more collegial and less toxic environment.

The experience at out school is that it is the worst class to date. Total joke of who got admitted vs who applied and were not admitted. There is little natural ability, but perhaps there was prep for the essays that helped them get in.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why anyone from Loudoun would schlep to TJ now if they can attend AOS, especially given the declining rigor of TJ. It will take a few years to be documented but it’s not fiercely committed to excellence any longer. It’s just kind of…there.

Some kids may want the full high school.
Many who get into TJ did not get admitted to AOS or AET.
TJ offers more opportunities than AOS/AET in math and science classes. Some students can get calculus sooner by declining AOS where you will not get until 11th grade.
At TJ you can take in 9th grade if you are good enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got into both TJ and AOS and we are at a decision point. My main concern is that I have heard from more than a few TJ parents that the teachers at TJ are not really that great. They don’t teach much and just let the students study by themselves. To certain extent, they are “spoiled” by the smart students, and all they need to do is to prepare hard quizzes. The TJ experience is mainly an experience of fierce competition among a bunch of very competitive kids.

1. Are TJ teachers really that bad?

2. Now with the quality of TJ admissions been watered down for 2 years, will this class of 2027 suffer from the deteriorating reputation from class of 2025 and 2026?

The class of 2027 will be the strongest admitted to date. Especially since the new process emphasizes natural ability over prep and test buying.

TJ is also a more collegial and less toxic environment.

With the lowering standards and math admits, Chantilly will probably end up being the better STEM bet. The Math profiles are now similar.

You got that backwards. They raised the standards by eliminating the preppers and test buyers and replacing them with the best and brightest from the whole county, not just the wealthiest schools where parents invested heavily in prep.

incorrect. 1/3 of TJ will now be average math tracks. my reasonably smart, non-aap, gened, non-tj applicant kid will achieve greater math aptitude by 12th grade than 1/3 of TJ.

rocky run -> chantilly + academies is probably a better STEM environment with higher mathematic aptitude.

They might be further advanced, but they won't have taken math at TJ. So, no, the aptitude argument doesn't really track either.

Why FCPS still let Loudoun county students apply TJ, they already have AOS, that's kind of not fair to other counties kids?

TJ parent here. Kid is a sophomore. Was admitted to both academies and TJ. Chose TJ. So far I am very happy with how things are going. Kid is thriving there, made several new friends. Commute is too long but we were prepared for that. Class choice/teachers are excellent. Please do not pay heed to negative views here. Please talk to kids/parents from TJ and make an informed decision.

1. If you were just picking TJ to go to “the best HS in the country” and get the brag rights to that then definitely suggest you pick the Academy (because that’s not the right mindset for why to pick TJ and that hyper competitive mentality is what made the school more toxic in prior years).

2. Years f you got into both, it would make sense to save the commute and stay closer to home.

3. Teachers: DD is thriving in 9th there but teachers for math and CS took some getting used to. They seem to have more of a “flipped classroom” approach where direct instruction is intentionally light and the focus is on kids working to problem solve wherever possible instead. I’m still torn on this but after a rough first month of adjusting to it DD seems fine with it now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got into both TJ and AOS and we are at a decision point. My main concern is that I have heard from more than a few TJ parents that the teachers at TJ are not really that great. They don’t teach much and just let the students study by themselves. To certain extent, they are “spoiled” by the smart students, and all they need to do is to prepare hard quizzes. The TJ experience is mainly an experience of fierce competition among a bunch of very competitive kids.

1. Are TJ teachers really that bad?

2. Now with the quality of TJ admissions been watered down for 2 years, will this class of 2027 suffer from the deteriorating reputation from class of 2025 and 2026?

The class of 2027 will be the strongest admitted to date. Especially since the new process emphasizes natural ability over prep and test buying.

TJ is also a more collegial and less toxic environment.

With the lowering standards and math admits, Chantilly will probably end up being the better STEM bet. The Math profiles are now similar.

You got that backwards. They raised the standards by eliminating the preppers and test buyers and replacing them with the best and brightest from the whole county, not just the wealthiest schools where parents invested heavily in prep.

incorrect. 1/3 of TJ will now be average math tracks. my reasonably smart, non-aap, gened, non-tj applicant kid will achieve greater math aptitude by 12th grade than 1/3 of TJ.

rocky run -> chantilly + academies is probably a better STEM environment with higher mathematic aptitude.

So you’re basing this evaluation on 1/3 of TJ, when the same level or below applies to 95% of chantilly? That’s just stupid.

No. the math profile right now of TJ admitting classes is the following:

31% algebra, 51% geometry, and 18% algebra II

Franklin and Rocky Run combined are 50% AAP level IV and even greater level II/III (usually advanced math) of roughly 30 percent of the remaining gened student pop.

The level IV kids from franklin and rocky run probably make up a 40-50% geometry and algebra II math level for entering students to chantilly. This main body will achieve greater math levels than 1/3 of TJ and on par with the main body of TJ. Obviously, there are kids still at 9th grade algebra as well. its not one for one on the math across all freshmen.

But at no time prior, were high school freshmen class math levels even remotely comparable to TJ. There were hardly any kids at any high school that would be ahead of TJ freshmen, just even. Now 1/3 of TJ admits are literally more remedial in math than any number of FCPS freshmen across the county. Chantilly has large AAP level IV feeders make the math profiles similar at a macro level and their excellent academy offerings give them great STEM opportunities.

Add in that 1/3 of these lower math admits were probably also not AAP and it makes a compelling case that the cohort, although smart group of kids, are closer to Chantilly and other top FCPS HS than ever before.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got into both TJ and AOS and we are at a decision point. My main concern is that I have heard from more than a few TJ parents that the teachers at TJ are not really that great. They don’t teach much and just let the students study by themselves. To certain extent, they are “spoiled” by the smart students, and all they need to do is to prepare hard quizzes. The TJ experience is mainly an experience of fierce competition among a bunch of very competitive kids.

1. Are TJ teachers really that bad?

2. Now with the quality of TJ admissions been watered down for 2 years, will this class of 2027 suffer from the deteriorating reputation from class of 2025 and 2026?

The class of 2027 will be the strongest admitted to date. Especially since the new process emphasizes natural ability over prep and test buying.

TJ is also a more collegial and less toxic environment.

With the lowering standards and math admits, Chantilly will probably end up being the better STEM bet. The Math profiles are now similar.

You got that backwards. They raised the standards by eliminating the preppers and test buyers and replacing them with the best and brightest from the whole county, not just the wealthiest schools where parents invested heavily in prep.

incorrect. 1/3 of TJ will now be average math tracks. my reasonably smart, non-aap, gened, non-tj applicant kid will achieve greater math aptitude by 12th grade than 1/3 of TJ.

rocky run -> chantilly + academies is probably a better STEM environment with higher mathematic aptitude.

So you’re basing this evaluation on 1/3 of TJ, when the same level or below applies to 95% of chantilly? That’s just stupid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why anyone from Loudoun would schlep to TJ now if they can attend AOS, especially given the declining rigor of TJ. It will take a few years to be documented but it’s not fiercely committed to excellence any longer. It’s just kind of…there.

The lengths some will go to try and get off the TJ waitlist by encouraging others to drop out are astonishing.

This is 100% what is going on here. Every single false narrative in the book is being pushed here to try to get more spaces open - and these are the same parents who, if their kids get in, will rail against people here for claiming TJ is anything other than the Almighty.

It’s disgusting and obvious.

BINGO! Like clockwork, this happens every year.

"The lengths some will go to try and get off the TJ waitlist by encouraging others to drop out are astonishing."

Before the admissions changes, it would invariably be about the “toxic environment”.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got into both TJ and AOS and we are at a decision point. My main concern is that I have heard from more than a few TJ parents that the teachers at TJ are not really that great. They don’t teach much and just let the students study by themselves. To certain extent, they are “spoiled” by the smart students, and all they need to do is to prepare hard quizzes. The TJ experience is mainly an experience of fierce competition among a bunch of very competitive kids.

1. Are TJ teachers really that bad?

2. Now with the quality of TJ admissions been watered down for 2 years, will this class of 2027 suffer from the deteriorating reputation from class of 2025 and 2026?

The class of 2027 will be the strongest admitted to date. Especially since the new process emphasizes natural ability over prep and test buying.

TJ is also a more collegial and less toxic environment.

With the lowering standards and math admits, Chantilly will probably end up being the better STEM bet. The Math profiles are now similar.

You got that backwards. They raised the standards by eliminating the preppers and test buyers and replacing them with the best and brightest from the whole county, not just the wealthiest schools where parents invested heavily in prep.

incorrect. 1/3 of TJ will now be average math tracks. my reasonably smart, non-aap, gened, non-tj applicant kid will achieve greater math aptitude by 12th grade than 1/3 of TJ.

rocky run -> chantilly + academies is probably a better STEM environment with higher mathematic aptitude.