Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I urge all parents to read the posts about kids being unhappy with their kids’ college options and had they known that except for the very top kids, TJ college applicants generally do worse than had they likely stayed at their base school.

Two time TJ parent here

If your kid is gunning for UVA, don't go to TJ. UVA seems to have some sort of quota limit for TJ students.
But VT and WM seem to love TJ kids so if you're happy with those options, TJ is a viable pathway.

If your kid is gunning for Ivy+ then TJ can help but only if they can maintain a VERY good GPA.
Like pretty close to straight A.
AND fill up their resume with ECs that weave a compelling narrative.

If your kid has consistently scores in the 99th percentile and has good to great study habits. TJ will work well for them.
If your kid is frequently below the 95th percentile, TJ is probably not for them unless they have superhuman time management skills.
Anything in between and it is probably a wash but lazy students will drown at TJ no matter how smart.

I know its not fair but if you are not in honors geometry in 8th grade, there is almost no point to going to TJ. You simply won't get enough of the benefits of TJ to make it worthwhile.

Solid overview. For tj kids, the likelihood of an ivy+ or higher/UVA is not great…but if you are okay with schools like VT or W&M…that’s probable. This needs to be considered now if it is important to you.

So what is the point of sending your kid to TJ, when socially it is not the best school-it is a pressure cooker and all for what? Why not send them to your local public and they will be stellar students that will most certainly get to W&M and VT.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I urge all parents to read the posts about kids being unhappy with their kids’ college options and had they known that except for the very top kids, TJ college applicants generally do worse than had they likely stayed at their base school.

Two time TJ parent here

If your kid is gunning for UVA, don't go to TJ. UVA seems to have some sort of quota limit for TJ students.
But VT and WM seem to love TJ kids so if you're happy with those options, TJ is a viable pathway.

If your kid is gunning for Ivy+ then TJ can help but only if they can maintain a VERY good GPA.
Like pretty close to straight A.
AND fill up their resume with ECs that weave a compelling narrative.

If your kid has consistently scores in the 99th percentile and has good to great study habits. TJ will work well for them.
If your kid is frequently below the 95th percentile, TJ is probably not for them unless they have superhuman time management skills.
Anything in between and it is probably a wash but lazy students will drown at TJ no matter how smart.

I know its not fair but if you are not in honors geometry in 8th grade, there is almost no point to going to TJ. You simply won't get enough of the benefits of TJ to make it worthwhile.

Solid overview. For tj kids, the likelihood of an ivy+ or higher/UVA is not great…but if you are okay with schools like VT or W&M…that’s probable. This needs to be considered now if it is important to you.

So what is the point of sending your kid to TJ, when socially it is not the best school-it is a pressure cooker and all for what? Why not send them to your local public and they will be stellar students that will most certainly get to W&M and VT.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I urge all parents to read the posts about kids being unhappy with their kids’ college options and had they known that except for the very top kids, TJ college applicants generally do worse than had they likely stayed at their base school.

Two time TJ parent here

If your kid is gunning for UVA, don't go to TJ. UVA seems to have some sort of quota limit for TJ students.
But VT and WM seem to love TJ kids so if you're happy with those options, TJ is a viable pathway.

If your kid is gunning for Ivy+ then TJ can help but only if they can maintain a VERY good GPA.
Like pretty close to straight A.
AND fill up their resume with ECs that weave a compelling narrative.

If your kid has consistently scores in the 99th percentile and has good to great study habits. TJ will work well for them.
If your kid is frequently below the 95th percentile, TJ is probably not for them unless they have superhuman time management skills.
Anything in between and it is probably a wash but lazy students will drown at TJ no matter how smart.

I know its not fair but if you are not in honors geometry in 8th grade, there is almost no point to going to TJ. You simply won't get enough of the benefits of TJ to make it worthwhile.

Solid overview. For tj kids, the likelihood of an ivy+ or higher/UVA is not great…but if you are okay with schools like VT or W&M…that’s probable. This needs to be considered now if it is important to you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You mean like the Algebra 1 SOL, the only class they have all taken? That won’t make you happy, you want something that points to how kids who are farther ahead in math are better then the kids in A1 or Geometry. You want something that can be prepped.

Hot take:

Anyone taking algebra in 8th grade shouldn't go to TJ.

You will max out with Calculus BC/Physics in your senior year.

The 8/9 PSAT exists.

The SHSAT exists.

I don't disagree with you, the problem is that there are MS were very few kids are in Geometry in 8th grade and the ones who are do not necessarily get great grades in the subject. I would be fine with a weight being given to applications based on the level of math available at a MS. 1 point for the highest level math, .5 for the next level math. Schools that offer A2H, there are not too many, would give those kids a small bump over kids in Geometry. Kids should have to have an A in Math and Science to apply.

PP Algebra in 8th grade is really not going to work out that well. It usually hasn't worked out that well.

Maybe not but it stopped a law suit so there you have it.

What lawsuit did it prevent? Because the change in admissions certainly generated a couple.

Because now the NAACP and other groups couldn't sue saying that the admissions process was biased towards kids with money for prep and paid extra curricular activities. All the MSs had an opportunity to send kids based on factors that were available to all students and their were weights to bolster kids who might face different struggles due to being 2E or poor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You mean like the Algebra 1 SOL, the only class they have all taken? That won’t make you happy, you want something that points to how kids who are farther ahead in math are better then the kids in A1 or Geometry. You want something that can be prepped.

Hot take:

Anyone taking algebra in 8th grade shouldn't go to TJ.

You will max out with Calculus BC/Physics in your senior year.

The 8/9 PSAT exists.

The SHSAT exists.

I don't disagree with you, the problem is that there are MS were very few kids are in Geometry in 8th grade and the ones who are do not necessarily get great grades in the subject. I would be fine with a weight being given to applications based on the level of math available at a MS. 1 point for the highest level math, .5 for the next level math. Schools that offer A2H, there are not too many, would give those kids a small bump over kids in Geometry. Kids should have to have an A in Math and Science to apply.

PP Algebra in 8th grade is really not going to work out that well. It usually hasn't worked out that well.

Maybe not but it stopped a law suit so there you have it.

What lawsuit did it prevent? Because the change in admissions certainly generated a couple.

Because now the NAACP and other groups couldn't sue saying that the admissions process was biased towards kids with money for prep and paid extra curricular activities. All the MSs had an opportunity to send kids based on factors that were available to all students and their were weights to bolster kids who might face different struggles due to being 2E or poor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You mean like the Algebra 1 SOL, the only class they have all taken? That won’t make you happy, you want something that points to how kids who are farther ahead in math are better then the kids in A1 or Geometry. You want something that can be prepped.

Hot take:

Anyone taking algebra in 8th grade shouldn't go to TJ.

You will max out with Calculus BC/Physics in your senior year.

The 8/9 PSAT exists.

The SHSAT exists.

I don't disagree with you, the problem is that there are MS were very few kids are in Geometry in 8th grade and the ones who are do not necessarily get great grades in the subject. I would be fine with a weight being given to applications based on the level of math available at a MS. 1 point for the highest level math, .5 for the next level math. Schools that offer A2H, there are not too many, would give those kids a small bump over kids in Geometry. Kids should have to have an A in Math and Science to apply.

PP Algebra in 8th grade is really not going to work out that well. It usually hasn't worked out that well.

Maybe not but it stopped a law suit so there you have it.

What lawsuit did it prevent? Because the change in admissions certainly generated a couple.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tonight was preview night.

To the admitted parents / students: how did it go? Did it influence your choice (either way?).

If you don’t mind sharing your thoughts, how could we improve the experience next year?

Preview night was Thursday. Honestly, it was chaotic and hard to navigate. I wish the parents had let their kids ask more questions instead of the parents dominating conversation with the Teachers. I am not a huge fan of the booth with people swarming, I would think classrooms with a 10 minute presentation and time for questions would work better but what do I know. My kid knew they would be attending and was more trying to figure out summer school classes, what language to take, and trying to better understand the pathways for senior research. We were also disappointed that none of the clubs were there, only the sports teams and language clubs were present.

It was a bit hard to navigate. It seemed like some people brought their entire family and then they stood around in a circle blocking hallways.

Yup. There were a lot of people, it was hard to get to talk to someone without being pushy. The gym was a mess, no order to lines for the booster sales tables. I don't mind the informal approach but there needs to be a middle ground between the chaos that was there and formal presentations. Maybe give different group different entry times and add 30 minutes tot he event, that way you get people in and moving through things in smaller groups.

Great suggestions. TJ PTSA needs volunteers just like yourself. Make sure you sign-up for events, leave work early, and stay late. Come with passion, and have a service for others mindset.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tonight was preview night.

To the admitted parents / students: how did it go? Did it influence your choice (either way?).

If you don’t mind sharing your thoughts, how could we improve the experience next year?

Preview night was Thursday. Honestly, it was chaotic and hard to navigate. I wish the parents had let their kids ask more questions instead of the parents dominating conversation with the Teachers. I am not a huge fan of the booth with people swarming, I would think classrooms with a 10 minute presentation and time for questions would work better but what do I know. My kid knew they would be attending and was more trying to figure out summer school classes, what language to take, and trying to better understand the pathways for senior research. We were also disappointed that none of the clubs were there, only the sports teams and language clubs were present.

It was a bit hard to navigate. It seemed like some people brought their entire family and then they stood around in a circle blocking hallways.

Yup. There were a lot of people, it was hard to get to talk to someone without being pushy. The gym was a mess, no order to lines for the booster sales tables. I don't mind the informal approach but there needs to be a middle ground between the chaos that was there and formal presentations. Maybe give different group different entry times and add 30 minutes tot he event, that way you get people in and moving through things in smaller groups.

Great suggestions. TJ PTSA needs volunteers just like yourself. Make sure you sign-up for events, leave work early, and stay late. Come with passion, and have a service for others mindset.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You mean like the Algebra 1 SOL, the only class they have all taken? That won’t make you happy, you want something that points to how kids who are farther ahead in math are better then the kids in A1 or Geometry. You want something that can be prepped.

Hot take:

Anyone taking algebra in 8th grade shouldn't go to TJ.

You will max out with Calculus BC/Physics in your senior year.

The 8/9 PSAT exists.

The SHSAT exists.

I don't disagree with you, the problem is that there are MS were very few kids are in Geometry in 8th grade and the ones who are do not necessarily get great grades in the subject. I would be fine with a weight being given to applications based on the level of math available at a MS. 1 point for the highest level math, .5 for the next level math. Schools that offer A2H, there are not too many, would give those kids a small bump over kids in Geometry. Kids should have to have an A in Math and Science to apply.

PP Algebra in 8th grade is really not going to work out that well. It usually hasn't worked out that well.

Maybe not but it stopped a law suit so there you have it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You mean like the Algebra 1 SOL, the only class they have all taken? That won’t make you happy, you want something that points to how kids who are farther ahead in math are better then the kids in A1 or Geometry. You want something that can be prepped.

Hot take:

Anyone taking algebra in 8th grade shouldn't go to TJ.

You will max out with Calculus BC/Physics in your senior year.

The 8/9 PSAT exists.

The SHSAT exists.

I don't disagree with you, the problem is that there are MS were very few kids are in Geometry in 8th grade and the ones who are do not necessarily get great grades in the subject. I would be fine with a weight being given to applications based on the level of math available at a MS. 1 point for the highest level math, .5 for the next level math. Schools that offer A2H, there are not too many, would give those kids a small bump over kids in Geometry. Kids should have to have an A in Math and Science to apply.

PP Algebra in 8th grade is really not going to work out that well. It usually hasn't worked out that well.