Anonymous
Post 05/02/2025 16:15     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

If TJ admissions were based on a thorough evaluation of a student's STEM readiness and ability to handle academic rigor, parents wouldn’t be as concerned. But with offers now largely based on a short essay, parents are left guessing how well their child will actually perform at TJ.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2025 16:07     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Dear lord people. The threads lately have actually been USEFUL on TJ for a change because the people who have an ax to grind about admissions changes must have gone on vacation or something. Clearly they are back now.

For the love of god, plz give it a rest. Let people talk about stuff at TJ without dragging every thread back into a discussion about admissions. New families are seeking info on TJ not a diatribe from people with a vendetta.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2025 12:46     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Anonymous wrote:Any student who fails a class at TJ should be sent back to their base school.

If they do that, it would certainly ignite a political firestorm, as the students most likely to remain would be mostly Asian American, and TJ would have the optics similar to that of NBA, NHL, HBCU school, or HSI school, which are apparently OK, but not when it comes to Asian American majority STEM school.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2025 09:26     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Anonymous wrote:Any student who fails a class at TJ should be sent back to their base school.


I agree. If you are failing by the end of 2nd semester, or the end of the year, then you aren’t ready for TJ. But, if you’re failing 1st quarter and can get it up by 2nd semester, I don’t really see the issue.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2025 09:21     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Any student who fails a class at TJ should be sent back to their base school.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2025 09:19     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Many people whose children were accepted to TJ appear shocked to know that AP Calculus is required at TJ.

Math:
4 years of math - Does not include Algebra 1 which is required for application/admission. Math sequence must terminate in at least AP Calculus (AB or BC).

Science - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Geosystems are required courses for all students.

Foreign Language:
3 years of the same language - Must have three consecutive years of the same language – Footnote #4 (2 years of 2 different languages does not apply for the TJ Diploma).

World History/Social Studies: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and World History/Geography I and World History/Geography II. AP World History satisfies the requirement for World History/Geography II. *****Please note that 9th graders do not take a course from this list unless it is their only free choice elective, meaning that your student will need to either complete summer school or use an elective in 10-12th grades to complete this requirement.

Health/PE - 2 years

Virtual Course Requirement - Students shall successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a noncredit-bearing course, or may be a course required to earn this diploma that is offered online.

Fine Arts - not required

Career and Technology Education - The credit is earned via Design & Technology required for all matriculating students. (this class is taken in 9th grade)

3 Required Electives: Computer Science, Senior Research/Mentorship, & an additional credit in Math, Science, Technology, Fine Arts, or a fourth consecutive credit in a world language must be taken to fulfill these ‘elective’ credits.

9th grade - one free elective (60% or more of students take the required computer science elective).
10th grade- two free electives if 3 years of world language have been completed. One free elective if world language requirement has not been completed.
11th grade - 3 free electives if wold language requirement is complete. 2 free electives if world language has not been completed.
12th - 3 free electives

Free Electives must include - 1 history/studies course and 1 computer science elective.

Students who complete the world language requirement before 10th grade have 7 free choice electives and 2 required electives (computer science and world history/social studies are the 2 required electives)

Students who complete the world language requirement before 11th grade have 6 free choice electives and 2 required electives (computer science and world history/social studies are the 2 required electives)

Students who don’t complete the world language requirement until they have finished 11th grade have 5 free choice electives and 2 required electives (computer science and world history/social studies are the 2 required electives)

If your student takes band/orchestra this takes up most of their electives. To have more electives during the school year students often take PE during the summer before 9th/10th grade in order to have 2 additional credits available.

***these classes are all harder than at base high school.














Thank you for the information! Such important information should have been provided to 8th graders and parents at TJ application information session.


NP.

I’m the parent of a current freshman at TJ. He loves science, math, technology, and a challenge. TJ appears to be the perfect fit for him.

He has mentioned a few kids who seem entirely focused on liberal arts, but their parents forced them to go to TJ for no other reason than the parents view TJ as “number one!”

I agree with the PP: the information the OP provided should be clearly spelled out for all prospective TJ students going forward.


My kid was in the last merit based year for TJ applications, and I sat through the meeting for my older kid too, also under the old merit based system.

It was made very clear to parents by then how rigorous the math was at TJ.

Do they no longer communicate that info to applicants now that the application is no longer focused on merit?


The new math tracks at TJ have a:
“Sequence with Additional Math Support”
This includes “failing Geometry” and retaking the class in the summer. “Failing Algebra II” and retaking the class over summer.

For students who enter who have already taken Algebra II, but have troubles, they can take a year of Math 3 & Algebraic Extensions.

For students who struggle with AP Pre-calculus, they can take a year of Intro to calculus + a math elective before taking AP Calculus.

There shouldn’t be so many students failing Geometry/Algebra II, or so many students that need an additional year of Algebra extensions, or students that need to take Intro to Calc after already taking AP Pre-calculus.


This is the problem with the new admissions process. Too many students are being admitted without the appropriate math abilities. The school should really go back and check end of year grades and make sure that all students still have a 3.5 after finishing 8th grade and that all students have pass advanced math on the SOL. Maybe even give a math test similar to the old entrance exam to students who have already been admitted and require a certain % to be able to enter TJ.

Students in middle school are required to pass advance the 7th grade SOL before taking Algebra I in middle school. Something similar should be in place for TJ.

Anonymous
Post 05/02/2025 09:10     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It seems like most TJ students are shooting for colleges that want 4 years of a foreign language, and likely the AP capstone. Are many really stopping at 3 years of a foreign language?


My DC is a freshman at TJ. He completed French 1 and 2 in middle school and took French 3 online through LCPS last summer, since it was not offered by FCPS. He is not planning to take AP French since he has fulfilled the world language requirement.

So he's not going to apply to UVA or other competitive schools?


If you're pursuing a STEM major (like Computer Science, Engineering, or Pre-Med) and applying to UVA from TJHSST, here’s how the world language requirement typically factors in:

3 Years Is Generally Enough for STEM Applicants
UVA does not require 4 years of a world language for admission.


3 years is acceptable and commonly seen even among competitive STEM applicants—especially from rigorous schools like TJHSST.

Admissions will weigh your math, science, and overall course rigor more heavily for STEM majors.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2025 09:02     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It seems like most TJ students are shooting for colleges that want 4 years of a foreign language, and likely the AP capstone. Are many really stopping at 3 years of a foreign language?


My DC is a freshman at TJ. He completed French 1 and 2 in middle school and took French 3 online through LCPS last summer, since it was not offered by FCPS. He is not planning to take AP French since he has fulfilled the world language requirement.

So he's not going to apply to UVA or other competitive schools?


For STEM majors, strong math and science grades matter more than 4 years of WL.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2025 08:44     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It seems like most TJ students are shooting for colleges that want 4 years of a foreign language, and likely the AP capstone. Are many really stopping at 3 years of a foreign language?


My DC is a freshman at TJ. He completed French 1 and 2 in middle school and took French 3 online through LCPS last summer, since it was not offered by FCPS. He is not planning to take AP French since he has fulfilled the world language requirement.

So he's not going to apply to UVA or other competitive schools?

Depends on the major being applied for, student can be competitive by showing rigor in relevant areas. For example, for premed or science majors post AP courses like Organic chemistry and Electrodynamics carry much more weight than an AP world language, as it is relatively easier that those two.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2025 08:30     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It seems like most TJ students are shooting for colleges that want 4 years of a foreign language, and likely the AP capstone. Are many really stopping at 3 years of a foreign language?


My DC is a freshman at TJ. He completed French 1 and 2 in middle school and took French 3 online through LCPS last summer, since it was not offered by FCPS. He is not planning to take AP French since he has fulfilled the world language requirement.

So he's not going to apply to UVA or other competitive schools?
Anonymous
Post 05/01/2025 23:38     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

There has been targeted outreach to underperforming middle schools, suggesting that simply applying to TJ is enough to gain admission under the 1.5% quota. These messages downplay the lack of math and science readiness at those schools, and imply that an emotional personal essay carries more weight. It's only after students receive an offer that they start understanding the real demands of the TJ curriculum. Many ultimately decline the offer, and those spots are then extended to waitlisted students from top-performing middle schools. Those that accept their with the lowest math struggle during freshman and endup leaving, and those spots are backfilled by froshmore 10th grade admits, again from top performing fcps schools that apply.

Anonymous
Post 05/01/2025 22:40     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Many people whose children were accepted to TJ appear shocked to know that AP Calculus is required at TJ.

Math:
4 years of math - Does not include Algebra 1 which is required for application/admission. Math sequence must terminate in at least AP Calculus (AB or BC).

Science - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Geosystems are required courses for all students.

Foreign Language:
3 years of the same language - Must have three consecutive years of the same language – Footnote #4 (2 years of 2 different languages does not apply for the TJ Diploma).

World History/Social Studies: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and World History/Geography I and World History/Geography II. AP World History satisfies the requirement for World History/Geography II. *****Please note that 9th graders do not take a course from this list unless it is their only free choice elective, meaning that your student will need to either complete summer school or use an elective in 10-12th grades to complete this requirement.

Health/PE - 2 years

Virtual Course Requirement - Students shall successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a noncredit-bearing course, or may be a course required to earn this diploma that is offered online.

Fine Arts - not required

Career and Technology Education - The credit is earned via Design & Technology required for all matriculating students. (this class is taken in 9th grade)

3 Required Electives: Computer Science, Senior Research/Mentorship, & an additional credit in Math, Science, Technology, Fine Arts, or a fourth consecutive credit in a world language must be taken to fulfill these ‘elective’ credits.

9th grade - one free elective (60% or more of students take the required computer science elective).
10th grade- two free electives if 3 years of world language have been completed. One free elective if world language requirement has not been completed.
11th grade - 3 free electives if wold language requirement is complete. 2 free electives if world language has not been completed.
12th - 3 free electives

Free Electives must include - 1 history/studies course and 1 computer science elective.

Students who complete the world language requirement before 10th grade have 7 free choice electives and 2 required electives (computer science and world history/social studies are the 2 required electives)

Students who complete the world language requirement before 11th grade have 6 free choice electives and 2 required electives (computer science and world history/social studies are the 2 required electives)

Students who don’t complete the world language requirement until they have finished 11th grade have 5 free choice electives and 2 required electives (computer science and world history/social studies are the 2 required electives)

If your student takes band/orchestra this takes up most of their electives. To have more electives during the school year students often take PE during the summer before 9th/10th grade in order to have 2 additional credits available.

***these classes are all harder than at base high school.














Thank you for the information! Such important information should have been provided to 8th graders and parents at TJ application information session.


NP.

I’m the parent of a current freshman at TJ. He loves science, math, technology, and a challenge. TJ appears to be the perfect fit for him.

He has mentioned a few kids who seem entirely focused on liberal arts, but their parents forced them to go to TJ for no other reason than the parents view TJ as “number one!”

I agree with the PP: the information the OP provided should be clearly spelled out for all prospective TJ students going forward.


My kid was in the last merit based year for TJ applications, and I sat through the meeting for my older kid too, also under the old merit based system.

It was made very clear to parents by then how rigorous the math was at TJ.

Do they no longer communicate that info to applicants now that the application is no longer focused on merit?
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2025 09:48     Subject: TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math

Anonymous wrote:It seems like most TJ students are shooting for colleges that want 4 years of a foreign language, and likely the AP capstone. Are many really stopping at 3 years of a foreign language?


My DC is a freshman at TJ. He completed French 1 and 2 in middle school and took French 3 online through LCPS last summer, since it was not offered by FCPS. He is not planning to take AP French since he has fulfilled the world language requirement.