I think TJ will receive fewer apps from the non AAP middle schools in the future. Word is out that the work at TJ is intense and most kids that age don't want to work that hard especially when you can be top of the class at your base school and not have a long commute.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

Weird since Longfellow sends a higher percentage of its kids to TJ than any other MS?

I think you fundamentally misunderstand the admissions process. TJ admissions personnel don't consider Longfellow as a rigorous alma mater like graduate schools consider the rigor of selective undergraduate programs. If TJ is faced with a choice between two candidates that have exactly the same academic stats, the one from a nontraditional feeder is the one that will be chosen.

I think you're misunderstanding schools and students, as well as the new admission process. Look at the numbers first before drawing your statistical conclusion.

Many students attend TJ from Longfellow/Carson due to the extremely high number of applicants (as a result of the high SES and education of families within their catchments), but that does not imply that attending Longfellow/Carson improves a child's chances of getting admitted. Those percentages you see are not related to probability. Greater probability of admittance is not given to an applicant just because they attended a top-feeder school.

Longfellow is a fine school. But an outsider with a top-of-the-class student new to FCPS with hopes of getting into TJ literally has a better chance by earning a guaranteed spot in the 1.5% reserved at any nontraditional feeders than competing against the hundreds at top-feeders.

DP. With the changes in admissions process, it might be best to look at Carson/Longfellow relative to TJ the same way that some look at TJ relative to admissions to a particular college or university. Don't send your kid to Carson/Longfellow thinking it's a ticket to being admitted to TJ or that TJ is a ticket to a particular college. Send your kid there because these are excellent schools with strong peer groups that will prepare them well for the next step, whatever that may be.

For many, the changes in the TJ admissions process make admissions seem like more of a crap shoot, while at the same time making TJ seem less attractive. It will be interesting to see the number of applications there over the coming years.

I'd say the changes have the opposite effect. TJ seems somewhat more attainable and more attractive.

Agree... it seems likely to be a healthier environment in the years ahead, while still being among the top academic HS in the country.

Now when they fix the teachers, it'll be a really great school!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

Weird since Longfellow sends a higher percentage of its kids to TJ than any other MS?

I think you fundamentally misunderstand the admissions process. TJ admissions personnel don't consider Longfellow as a rigorous alma mater like graduate schools consider the rigor of selective undergraduate programs. If TJ is faced with a choice between two candidates that have exactly the same academic stats, the one from a nontraditional feeder is the one that will be chosen.

I think you're misunderstanding schools and students, as well as the new admission process. Look at the numbers first before drawing your statistical conclusion.

Many students attend TJ from Longfellow/Carson due to the extremely high number of applicants (as a result of the high SES and education of families within their catchments), but that does not imply that attending Longfellow/Carson improves a child's chances of getting admitted. Those percentages you see are not related to probability. Greater probability of admittance is not given to an applicant just because they attended a top-feeder school.

Longfellow is a fine school. But an outsider with a top-of-the-class student new to FCPS with hopes of getting into TJ literally has a better chance by earning a guaranteed spot in the 1.5% reserved at any nontraditional feeders than competing against the hundreds at top-feeders.

DP. With the changes in admissions process, it might be best to look at Carson/Longfellow relative to TJ the same way that some look at TJ relative to admissions to a particular college or university. Don't send your kid to Carson/Longfellow thinking it's a ticket to being admitted to TJ or that TJ is a ticket to a particular college. Send your kid there because these are excellent schools with strong peer groups that will prepare them well for the next step, whatever that may be.

For many, the changes in the TJ admissions process make admissions seem like more of a crap shoot, while at the same time making TJ seem less attractive. It will be interesting to see the number of applications there over the coming years.

I'd say the changes have the opposite effect. TJ seems somewhat more attainable and more attractive.

Only if you’re a kid at a less rigorous middle school without an AAP program.

TJ isn’t going to be the top high school in the county much longer, just a good option for kids zoned to unattractive high schools. The net effect will be that TJ’s appeal will decline.

Anything is possible. But currently, TJ is attainable for students at the most competitive middle schools and for students at other middle schools too. And even more importantly, desired by students at the most competitive middle schools and for students at other middle schools too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

Weird since Longfellow sends a higher percentage of its kids to TJ than any other MS?

I think you fundamentally misunderstand the admissions process. TJ admissions personnel don't consider Longfellow as a rigorous alma mater like graduate schools consider the rigor of selective undergraduate programs. If TJ is faced with a choice between two candidates that have exactly the same academic stats, the one from a nontraditional feeder is the one that will be chosen.

I think you're misunderstanding schools and students, as well as the new admission process. Look at the numbers first before drawing your statistical conclusion.

Many students attend TJ from Longfellow/Carson due to the extremely high number of applicants (as a result of the high SES and education of families within their catchments), but that does not imply that attending Longfellow/Carson improves a child's chances of getting admitted. Those percentages you see are not related to probability. Greater probability of admittance is not given to an applicant just because they attended a top-feeder school.

Longfellow is a fine school. But an outsider with a top-of-the-class student new to FCPS with hopes of getting into TJ literally has a better chance by earning a guaranteed spot in the 1.5% reserved at any nontraditional feeders than competing against the hundreds at top-feeders.

DP. With the changes in admissions process, it might be best to look at Carson/Longfellow relative to TJ the same way that some look at TJ relative to admissions to a particular college or university. Don't send your kid to Carson/Longfellow thinking it's a ticket to being admitted to TJ or that TJ is a ticket to a particular college. Send your kid there because these are excellent schools with strong peer groups that will prepare them well for the next step, whatever that may be.

For many, the changes in the TJ admissions process make admissions seem like more of a crap shoot, while at the same time making TJ seem less attractive. It will be interesting to see the number of applications there over the coming years.

I'd say the changes have the opposite effect. TJ seems somewhat more attainable and more attractive.

Only if you’re a kid at a less rigorous middle school without an AAP program.

TJ isn’t going to be the top high school in the county much longer, just a good option for kids zoned to unattractive high schools. The net effect will be that TJ’s appeal will decline.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

Weird since Longfellow sends a higher percentage of its kids to TJ than any other MS?

I think you fundamentally misunderstand the admissions process. TJ admissions personnel don't consider Longfellow as a rigorous alma mater like graduate schools consider the rigor of selective undergraduate programs. If TJ is faced with a choice between two candidates that have exactly the same academic stats, the one from a nontraditional feeder is the one that will be chosen.

I think you're misunderstanding schools and students, as well as the new admission process. Look at the numbers first before drawing your statistical conclusion.

Many students attend TJ from Longfellow/Carson due to the extremely high number of applicants (as a result of the high SES and education of families within their catchments), but that does not imply that attending Longfellow/Carson improves a child's chances of getting admitted. Those percentages you see are not related to probability. Greater probability of admittance is not given to an applicant just because they attended a top-feeder school.

Longfellow is a fine school. But an outsider with a top-of-the-class student new to FCPS with hopes of getting into TJ literally has a better chance by earning a guaranteed spot in the 1.5% reserved at any nontraditional feeders than competing against the hundreds at top-feeders.

DP. With the changes in admissions process, it might be best to look at Carson/Longfellow relative to TJ the same way that some look at TJ relative to admissions to a particular college or university. Don't send your kid to Carson/Longfellow thinking it's a ticket to being admitted to TJ or that TJ is a ticket to a particular college. Send your kid there because these are excellent schools with strong peer groups that will prepare them well for the next step, whatever that may be.

For many, the changes in the TJ admissions process make admissions seem like more of a crap shoot, while at the same time making TJ seem less attractive. It will be interesting to see the number of applications there over the coming years.

I'd say the changes have the opposite effect. TJ seems somewhat more attainable and more attractive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

Weird since Longfellow sends a higher percentage of its kids to TJ than any other MS?

I think you fundamentally misunderstand the admissions process. TJ admissions personnel don't consider Longfellow as a rigorous alma mater like graduate schools consider the rigor of selective undergraduate programs. If TJ is faced with a choice between two candidates that have exactly the same academic stats, the one from a nontraditional feeder is the one that will be chosen.

I think you're misunderstanding schools and students, as well as the new admission process. Look at the numbers first before drawing your statistical conclusion.

Many students attend TJ from Longfellow/Carson due to the extremely high number of applicants (as a result of the high SES and education of families within their catchments), but that does not imply that attending Longfellow/Carson improves a child's chances of getting admitted. Those percentages you see are not related to probability. Greater probability of admittance is not given to an applicant just because they attended a top-feeder school.

Longfellow is a fine school. But an outsider with a top-of-the-class student new to FCPS with hopes of getting into TJ literally has a better chance by earning a guaranteed spot in the 1.5% reserved at any nontraditional feeders than competing against the hundreds at top-feeders.

DP. With the changes in admissions process, it might be best to look at Carson/Longfellow relative to TJ the same way that some look at TJ relative to admissions to a particular college or university. Don't send your kid to Carson/Longfellow thinking it's a ticket to being admitted to TJ or that TJ is a ticket to a particular college. Send your kid there because these are excellent schools with strong peer groups that will prepare them well for the next step, whatever that may be.

For many, the changes in the TJ admissions process make admissions seem like more of a crap shoot, while at the same time making TJ seem less attractive. It will be interesting to see the number of applications there over the coming years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

Weird since Longfellow sends a higher percentage of its kids to TJ than any other MS?

I think you fundamentally misunderstand the admissions process. TJ admissions personnel don't consider Longfellow as a rigorous alma mater like graduate schools consider the rigor of selective undergraduate programs. If TJ is faced with a choice between two candidates that have exactly the same academic stats, the one from a nontraditional feeder is the one that will be chosen.

I think you're misunderstanding schools and students, as well as the new admission process. Look at the numbers first before drawing your statistical conclusion.

Many students attend TJ from Longfellow/Carson due to the extremely high number of applicants (as a result of the high SES and education of families within their catchments), but that does not imply that attending Longfellow/Carson improves a child's chances of getting admitted. Those percentages you see are not related to probability. Greater probability of admittance is not given to an applicant just because they attended a top-feeder school.

Longfellow is a fine school. But an outsider with a top-of-the-class student new to FCPS with hopes of getting into TJ literally has a better chance by earning a guaranteed spot in the 1.5% reserved at any nontraditional feeders than competing against the hundreds at top-feeders.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, is your goal even TJ, because these discussions quickly head in that direction. My kids have done/will do Louise Archer --> Luther Jackson --> Madison HS. LAES and LJMS are excellent centers with excellent teachers. Seriously, every teacher we have had at both has been excellent. Some don't like LJ because it is 50% FARMS and has a lot of fights in the hallway, etc. The fights, in our experience, do not involve the AAP kids.

This is great to hear about Jackson. My kids are both headed there as well.

Both my kids went to Luther Jackson - AAP. Great teachers, great program. There is a high FARMS rate, but my kids both liked all their electives/gym/band and had friends outside AAP. Also - I had to laugh at the subject of this thread - middle school is just a tough age, especially socially, for many kids - so don't set the bar too high.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

Weird since Longfellow sends a higher percentage of its kids to TJ than any other MS?

I think you fundamentally misunderstand the admissions process. TJ admissions personnel don't consider Longfellow as a rigorous alma mater like graduate schools consider the rigor of selective undergraduate programs. If TJ is faced with a choice between two candidates that have exactly the same academic stats, the one from a nontraditional feeder is the one that will be chosen.

I think you're misunderstanding schools and students, as well as the new admission process. Look at the numbers first before drawing your statistical conclusion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

Weird since Longfellow sends a higher percentage of its kids to TJ than any other MS?

I think you fundamentally misunderstand the admissions process. TJ admissions personnel don't consider Longfellow as a rigorous alma mater like graduate schools consider the rigor of selective undergraduate programs. If TJ is faced with a choice between two candidates that have exactly the same academic stats, the one from a nontraditional feeder is the one that will be chosen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

That's weird since Longfellow sends more kids to TJ than any other MS. Going there is a big advantage.

After all the media attention and all of the changes at TJ receiving so much public attention, you have no business spreading misinformation. Choosing Longfellow is literally a disadvantage. A top-tier student from the nontraditional feeders has a significantly greater chance at TJ.

You consider it a disadvantage even though more kids get in from Longfellow than any other MS? Seems like it has the best odds and your trying to keep it a secret.

Someone in top 20% but not top 10% at Longfellow is not getting in to TJ. That same student has a decent chance to get in at some of these other schools.

This is incorrect, as the admissions numbers show.

A 2nd tier striver like that is probably not a good fit and will struggle at TJ. If the top kids at less affluent schools spent half as much time in outside enrichment, they'd score higher too. It's better that they restrict this to the very best across the board to find those with natural ability.

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

Weird since Longfellow sends a higher percentage of its kids to TJ than any other MS?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

That's weird since Longfellow sends more kids to TJ than any other MS. Going there is a big advantage.

After all the media attention and all of the changes at TJ receiving so much public attention, you have no business spreading misinformation. Choosing Longfellow is literally a disadvantage. A top-tier student from the nontraditional feeders has a significantly greater chance at TJ.

You consider it a disadvantage even though more kids get in from Longfellow than any other MS? Seems like it has the best odds and your trying to keep it a secret.

Someone in top 20% but not top 10% at Longfellow is not getting in to TJ. That same student has a decent chance to get in at some of these other schools.

This is incorrect, as the admissions numbers show.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow is probably the strongest but forget about TJ.

That's weird since Longfellow sends more kids to TJ than any other MS. Going there is a big advantage.

After all the media attention and all of the changes at TJ receiving so much public attention, you have no business spreading misinformation. Choosing Longfellow is literally a disadvantage. A top-tier student from the nontraditional feeders has a significantly greater chance at TJ.

You consider it a disadvantage even though more kids get in from Longfellow than any other MS? Seems like it has the best odds and your trying to keep it a secret.

Someone in top 20% but not top 10% at Longfellow is not getting in to TJ. That same student has a decent chance to get in at some of these other schools.