Honestly, at this point you just need to chill and help her chill out. Go over the requirements for applying to TJ and make sure she understands what she needs to aim for. After that, it is pretty much done. Carson is our base school but DSs ES does not have a huge push for TJ. We still end up with 1 or 2 kids from his ES that goes to TJ but it is not something that most of the kids are focused on.

I would talk to your daughter about what has sparked her interest all of the sudden because this sounds new. Talk to her about what she is asking to do requires and what it means to go there. Let her do the work and apply next year. She seems to check the box for activities to write about in her essay next year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: My DD is quite good at most things. She has a passion for stem, is at the right track for math, and is quite creative with her essays. She did a TYE stem bootcamp, and is taking the AMC8 along with mathcounts. Our biggest disadvantage is that she is at Franklin MS. People there aren't really as academically bright as Carson (obviously) so our biggest worry is if she will get the right resources at Franklin to get into TJ. People have also been studying for this school for a while now. We just found out about the competition this year. Will she have enough time?

What competition did you just find out about this year? It’s not clear from your post.

My apologies; what I mean by competition is we just found out how strong the competition for TJ was, and we are wondering if our DD will be too late to the game.

Anonymous wrote:OP: My DD is quite good at most things. She has a passion for stem, is at the right track for math, and is quite creative with her essays. She did a TYE stem bootcamp, and is taking the AMC8 along with mathcounts. Our biggest disadvantage is that she is at Franklin MS. People there aren't really as academically bright as Carson (obviously) so our biggest worry is if she will get the right resources at Franklin to get into TJ. People have also been studying for this school for a while now. We just found out about the competition this year. Will she have enough time?

What competition did you just find out about this year? It’s not clear from your post.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a bit surprised that the kids who are strongly interested in TJ don’t choose to stay at a school like Franklin where there are strong academics and fewer kids applying for TJ. It strikes me like a better move then moving to Carson where the odds of being accepted are probably worse.

OP here, yes I wonder this too. My DD does not have many peers that want to go for TJ which this may be a win for her. But, at the same time, the kids that each school sends can exceed the 1.5% rule.

Was your daughter in AAP and chose to go to Franklin?

She will have a peer group at her base HS if she doesn’t get into TJ. TJ takes 500 kids, and not only from FCPS. A good number of the kids at Carson will end up at Chantilly and she will be in AP classes with them.

My DD was in half time AAP- Level 3. There were peers in her grade last year who wanted to try out for full time, but our DD did not want to. There are rigorous courses at Franklin and most of her friends are at Franklin with her. But, her friends at Carson seem to be ahead in the curriculum, and more TJ “addicted.” We are trying to get our daughter in the top 1.5%, otherwise the open pool would be really hard for her. Please let me know if this is wrong.

Is she currently taking all honors classes or a mixture?

All honors, with algebra 1 hn. She is in the 7th grade.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a bit surprised that the kids who are strongly interested in TJ don’t choose to stay at a school like Franklin where there are strong academics and fewer kids applying for TJ. It strikes me like a better move then moving to Carson where the odds of being accepted are probably worse.

OP here, yes I wonder this too. My DD does not have many peers that want to go for TJ which this may be a win for her. But, at the same time, the kids that each school sends can exceed the 1.5% rule.

Was your daughter in AAP and chose to go to Franklin?

She will have a peer group at her base HS if she doesn’t get into TJ. TJ takes 500 kids, and not only from FCPS. A good number of the kids at Carson will end up at Chantilly and she will be in AP classes with them.

My DD was in half time AAP- Level 3. There were peers in her grade last year who wanted to try out for full time, but our DD did not want to. There are rigorous courses at Franklin and most of her friends are at Franklin with her. But, her friends at Carson seem to be ahead in the curriculum, and more TJ “addicted.” We are trying to get our daughter in the top 1.5%, otherwise the open pool would be really hard for her. Please let me know if this is wrong.

Is she currently taking all honors classes or a mixture?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a bit surprised that the kids who are strongly interested in TJ don’t choose to stay at a school like Franklin where there are strong academics and fewer kids applying for TJ. It strikes me like a better move then moving to Carson where the odds of being accepted are probably worse.

OP here, yes I wonder this too. My DD does not have many peers that want to go for TJ which this may be a win for her. But, at the same time, the kids that each school sends can exceed the 1.5% rule.

Was your daughter in AAP and chose to go to Franklin?

She will have a peer group at her base HS if she doesn’t get into TJ. TJ takes 500 kids, and not only from FCPS. A good number of the kids at Carson will end up at Chantilly and she will be in AP classes with them.

My DD was in half time AAP- Level 3. There were peers in her grade last year who wanted to try out for full time, but our DD did not want to. There are rigorous courses at Franklin and most of her friends are at Franklin with her. But, her friends at Carson seem to be ahead in the curriculum, and more TJ “addicted.” We are trying to get our daughter in the top 1.5%, otherwise the open pool would be really hard for her. Please let me know if this is wrong.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a bit surprised that the kids who are strongly interested in TJ don’t choose to stay at a school like Franklin where there are strong academics and fewer kids applying for TJ. It strikes me like a better move then moving to Carson where the odds of being accepted are probably worse.

OP here, yes I wonder this too. My DD does not have many peers that want to go for TJ which this may be a win for her. But, at the same time, the kids that each school sends can exceed the 1.5% rule.

Was your daughter in AAP and chose to go to Franklin?

She will have a peer group at her base HS if she doesn’t get into TJ. TJ takes 500 kids, and not only from FCPS. A good number of the kids at Carson will end up at Chantilly and she will be in AP classes with them.

Anonymous wrote:I am a bit surprised that the kids who are strongly interested in TJ don’t choose to stay at a school like Franklin where there are strong academics and fewer kids applying for TJ. It strikes me like a better move then moving to Carson where the odds of being accepted are probably worse.

OP here, yes I wonder this too. My DD does not have many peers that want to go for TJ which this may be a win for her. But, at the same time, the kids that each school sends can exceed the 1.5% rule.

I am a bit surprised that the kids who are strongly interested in TJ don’t choose to stay at a school like Franklin where there are strong academics and fewer kids applying for TJ. It strikes me like a better move then moving to Carson where the odds of being accepted are probably worse.

Anonymous wrote:My DD started this year as a freshman. She's returning to her private school this semester. The cohort is unhealthy and she will be successful anywhere. Please look closely at the school and what you want for your kid.

Great advice. TJ isn't a school for everyone. Not all kids will like the "fit". OP seems to think her kid is strongly interested in it though so it's worth a shot. Worst case is kids give it a try and then transfer back home if they hate it. My DC loves it FWIW. Yes it's harder and yes she'd be successful academically at her home school too but the "fit" for her at TJ is wonderful which is why she's thriving there. Like you said, you need to weigh what's best for your own kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: My DD is quite good at most things. She has a passion for stem, is at the right track for math, and is quite creative with her essays. She did a TYE stem bootcamp, and is taking the AMC8 along with mathcounts. Our biggest disadvantage is that she is at Franklin MS. People there aren't really as academically bright as Carson (obviously) so our biggest worry is if she will get the right resources at Franklin to get into TJ. People have also been studying for this school for a while now. We just found out about the competition this year. Will she have enough time?

Wow. “Aren’t as academically bright.”
I’ve now lost any will to help you because you’re so rude. Based on this post, you also still clearly don’t understand the admissions process despite many attempts to explain it to you. I presume you’re also the same poster asking about Algebra 2 at FMS. It took me 15 seconds to find that online.

Well, its not like as many kids go to TJ from Franklin as Carson... I would be lying if I said Franklin had as many opportunities as Carson did. I would be glad if you proved me wrong though. Because from many of these posts, it sounds like Carson kids have the main advantage here...

Not all schools apply to TJ at the same rates. Some schools like Carson are TJ-mania areas where tons of the kids apply and so they have more in the general pool to work with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: My DD is quite good at most things. She has a passion for stem, is at the right track for math, and is quite creative with her essays. She did a TYE stem bootcamp, and is taking the AMC8 along with mathcounts. Our biggest disadvantage is that she is at Franklin MS. People there aren't really as academically bright as Carson (obviously) so our biggest worry is if she will get the right resources at Franklin to get into TJ. People have also been studying for this school for a while now. We just found out about the competition this year. Will she have enough time?

Wow. “Aren’t as academically bright.”
I’ve now lost any will to help you because you’re so rude. Based on this post, you also still clearly don’t understand the admissions process despite many attempts to explain it to you. I presume you’re also the same poster asking about Algebra 2 at FMS. It took me 15 seconds to find that online.

Well, its not like as many kids go to TJ from Franklin as Carson... I would be lying if I said Franklin had as many opportunities as Carson did. I would be glad if you proved me wrong though. Because from many of these posts, it sounds like Carson kids have the main advantage here...

I disagree that kids at Franklin don't have as many opportunities as kids at Carson. As a parent who sent children through both Carson and Franklin (AAP at both), I can tell you that the instruction at Franklin was superior to what our child at Carson received. Far superior. At Franklin, there was more rigor, opportunities for critical thinking, cross-curricular projects, and detailed feedback on assignments.

That's great to hear! May I ask if either your kid at Carson or Franklin went to TJ? OP here btw.

Anonymous wrote:My DD started this year as a freshman. She's returning to her private school this semester. The cohort is unhealthy and she will be successful anywhere. Please look closely at the school and what you want for your kid.

DP. My DS has had a good freshman year so far with a good cohort. The IBET group seems to be like a lottery and I'm sorry to hear that your DD didn't draw a good one. If that's the issue though, switching IBET groups would be the solution though, not switching schools. Wishing her success at her new high school!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: My DD is quite good at most things. She has a passion for stem, is at the right track for math, and is quite creative with her essays. She did a TYE stem bootcamp, and is taking the AMC8 along with mathcounts. Our biggest disadvantage is that she is at Franklin MS. People there aren't really as academically bright as Carson (obviously) so our biggest worry is if she will get the right resources at Franklin to get into TJ. People have also been studying for this school for a while now. We just found out about the competition this year. Will she have enough time?

Wow. “Aren’t as academically bright.”
I’ve now lost any will to help you because you’re so rude. Based on this post, you also still clearly don’t understand the admissions process despite many attempts to explain it to you. I presume you’re also the same poster asking about Algebra 2 at FMS. It took me 15 seconds to find that online.

Well, its not like as many kids go to TJ from Franklin as Carson... I would be lying if I said Franklin had as many opportunities as Carson did. I would be glad if you proved me wrong though. Because from many of these posts, it sounds like Carson kids have the main advantage here...

I disagree that kids at Franklin don't have as many opportunities as kids at Carson. As a parent who sent children through both Carson and Franklin (AAP at both), I can tell you that the instruction at Franklin was superior to what our child at Carson received. Far superior. At Franklin, there was more rigor, opportunities for critical thinking, cross-curricular projects, and detailed feedback on assignments.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: My DD is quite good at most things. She has a passion for stem, is at the right track for math, and is quite creative with her essays. She did a TYE stem bootcamp, and is taking the AMC8 along with mathcounts. Our biggest disadvantage is that she is at Franklin MS. People there aren't really as academically bright as Carson (obviously) so our biggest worry is if she will get the right resources at Franklin to get into TJ. People have also been studying for this school for a while now. We just found out about the competition this year. Will she have enough time?

Wow. “Aren’t as academically bright.”
I’ve now lost any will to help you because you’re so rude. Based on this post, you also still clearly don’t understand the admissions process despite many attempts to explain it to you. I presume you’re also the same poster asking about Algebra 2 at FMS. It took me 15 seconds to find that online.

Well, its not like as many kids go to TJ from Franklin as Carson... I would be lying if I said Franklin had as many opportunities as Carson did. I would be glad if you proved me wrong though. Because from many of these posts, it sounds like Carson kids have the main advantage here...

Most (not all) of the clubs are driven by parent volunteers. Nothing stops Franklin kids/parents to start the clubs and create opportunities!

I think the clubs in MS are more Teacher guided then parent, but I could be wrong. That said, the kids suggest clubs that are interesting to them and work to find Teacher sponsors/supervisors. There is a different level of STEM interest at Carson than Franklin so there are different club options.