Anonymous wrote:Why do people keep posting about TJ on the private school forum? Why not go over to the public school forum and sell it there. We get it...you love it. OK...great. People choosing private are looking for something else.
Anonymous wrote:I wrote this on the other TJ/private thread. If your kid is a math/compsci genius, then send to TJ. Otherwise, send to private.
Anonymous wrote:I wrote this on the other TJ/private thread. If your kid is a math/compsci genius, then send to TJ. Otherwise, send to private.
I've had a DC at TJ and a DC at a big 3. The level of homework is equivalent - about 4 hours/school night. Extracurricular opportunities are also equivalent and my DCs were very involved in numerous activities.
TJ does offer more pure STEM classes than the big 3 - especially in math and computer science - so if your DC is brilliant and loves those subjects then TJ would be the better choice.
But generally the big 3 is a better school - better teachers, smaller classes, better college counseling. I also hear that some of the things that made TJ more appealing in the past - ie, a greater level of freedom - have been restricted. A many of the better teachers are no longer there.
I've had a DC at TJ and a DC at a big 3. The level of homework is equivalent - about 4 hours/school night. Extracurricular opportunities are also equivalent and my DCs were very involved in numerous activities.
TJ does offer more pure STEM classes than the big 3 - especially in math and computer science - so if your DC is brilliant and loves those subjects then TJ would be the better choice.
But generally the big 3 is a better school - better teachers, smaller classes, better college counseling. I also hear that some of the things that made TJ more appealing in the past - ie, a greater level of freedom - have been restricted. A many of the better teachers are no longer there.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Tj is not a heathy environment. Not healthy at all.
I know plenty of kids who are thriving there. It's a great education. Or you can pay $40K a year for something almost as good, with a weaker peer group.
Anonymous wrote:Tj is not a heathy environment. Not healthy at all.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A lot of opinions here from people who appear not to have any first-hand experience.
That would be 95% of DCUM threads on schools.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you can get into tj you can crush sidwell. Not vice versa
I agree with this. It’s the getting into Sidwell part that’s the challenge. Not the work itself.
There are fewer spots at Sidwell, and they are not looking for grades/scores only, so lots of kids who would get into TJ will not get in to Sidwell, but similarly, some of the kids who get into Sidwell will not have the grades and scores to get into TJ. They are looking for different things in students.
+1. Sidwell is looking for bold faced names, donor admits and racial balancing, mirroring the college admissions process as it stands today. TJ is pure merit based on academics.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you can get into tj you can crush sidwell. Not vice versa
I agree with this. It’s the getting into Sidwell part that’s the challenge. Not the work itself.
There are fewer spots at Sidwell, and they are not looking for grades/scores only, so lots of kids who would get into TJ will not get in to Sidwell, but similarly, some of the kids who get into Sidwell will not have the grades and scores to get into TJ. They are looking for different things in students.
+1. Sidwell is looking for bold faced names, donor admits and racial balancing, mirroring the college admissions process as it stands today. TJ is pure merit based on academics.
Anonymous wrote:A lot of opinions here from people who appear not to have any first-hand experience.