My kids friend, who has been in AAP, couldn't get into algebra I in 7th, got few B+, A-s, got in to TJ, has wealth/educated parents, openly admitted to friends that he lied about all sorts of things on the portrait sheet as he and his parents know there is not going to be validation of anything they claim in the essays. May be this other kid is better at articulating things, but there is no way this kid should be preferred over a straight A students from the same school with demonstrable stem achievements, just based on few less than perfect lines in an essay. There are few that defend the new process to death, probably never didn't have their kids go through such unexpected rejections.

I had a friend who criticized so much about insurance companies covering for pre-existing conditions, how it gets expensive for everyone, country will break down, blah blah, but once someone in the family diagnosed with a serious medical condition, realized that it could happen to anyone. So, no one realizes until it hurts.

The old process is bad, but new process is far worse.

Anonymous wrote:Most of the problems would be fixed if schools had better leeway in picking their own top 1.5% it seems.

Vocal pro-reform here - and I agree with you. Teacher recommendations that require teachers to compare students to one another would go a long way to ensuring that the kids who can have the most positive impact on the TJ environment are the ones who are selected.

Most of the problems would be fixed if schools had better leeway in picking their own top 1.5% it seems.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

I don't "hate" any middle school and I don't think anyone is trying to "stick it to" anyone. It's not about you.

Our community would love to see less opportunity hoarding by a small group of parents who have figured out the specific steps required to game the system and the community would love to increase access for more of the community.

We can agree that we do not want opportunity hoarding by a small group of parents who have figured out how to game the system. The previous system was broken.

The "reform" unfortunately excludes truly deserving kids from feeder schools with parents who are all on the straight and the narrow. They have approached the admissions process the way it should be approached but there is no way for them to succeed. And that is nota acceptable. The School Board is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Any time a concerned parent tries to speak up, they are drowned out by chants that all preppers are cheats. And that is the crux of the issue.

This is not an issue between preppers/gamers at the feeder schools and the under-represented schools. That is an easy one to resolve.

This is an issue between the truly deserving STEM students at feeder schools and the process that does not give them an opportunity. These kids also come from tax paying households and deserve a fair shake.

I am so glad someone actually gets it. I understand that old system is broken and needs to be fixed. But, it is fixed in a wrong way. Now the so called preppers realized how much of a weightage essays have and are getting their kids prepared for essays with exclusive classes, one-on-one writing coaches etc. When it comes to TJ, I would rather have people prepare for math/science than essays. Also, when you see center kids with perfect or near perfect grades, 5 to 6 stem electives, lots of participation both school sponsored (and outside?) stem activities/achievements don't get selected while random kids who neither have grades, nor the advanced math (at the center, even being in AAP) or any stem interest to show for get selected, you know the system is broken to the point that its depressing to the kids. You can argue all you want about public schools need to be provided for everyone, which no one denies, but you need to understand that the new system, for whatever the merits its supposed to have is not working as expected and sacrificed the talent in the name diversity, which was never really achieved to begin with. There is some poster (on this thread or other) who provided a 10 or 11 point selection criteria which should alleviate everybody's concerns and if a random poster can come up with such a comprehensive list in few min, how come the fcps board, with all its merits can come up with such a dumb process with full of holes from the very start and even some of their own members had concerns. Sorry for the rant!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

I don't "hate" any middle school and I don't think anyone is trying to "stick it to" anyone. It's not about you.

Our community would love to see less opportunity hoarding by a small group of parents who have figured out the specific steps required to game the system and the community would love to increase access for more of the community.

We can agree that we do not want opportunity hoarding by a small group of parents who have figured out how to game the system. The previous system was broken.

The "reform" unfortunately excludes truly deserving kids from feeder schools with parents who are all on the straight and the narrow. They have approached the admissions process the way it should be approached but there is no way for them to succeed. And that is nota acceptable. The School Board is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Any time a concerned parent tries to speak up, they are drowned out by chants that all preppers are cheats. And that is the crux of the issue.

This is not an issue between preppers/gamers at the feeder schools and the under-represented schools. That is an easy one to resolve.

This is an issue between the truly deserving STEM students at feeder schools and the process that does not give them an opportunity. These kids also come from tax paying households and deserve a fair shake.

Great. It sounds like everyone - aside from the cheaters/preppers who continue to push irrational claims - can work together to come up to tweak the current process to identify the best candidates from across the county.

I think you have an exaggerated sense of who is invested in TJ and the extent to which they are invested. It's not the only game in town. Mess around with it too much and people look elsewhere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

I don't "hate" any middle school and I don't think anyone is trying to "stick it to" anyone. It's not about you.

Our community would love to see less opportunity hoarding by a small group of parents who have figured out the specific steps required to game the system and the community would love to increase access for more of the community.

We can agree that we do not want opportunity hoarding by a small group of parents who have figured out how to game the system. The previous system was broken.

The "reform" unfortunately excludes truly deserving kids from feeder schools with parents who are all on the straight and the narrow. They have approached the admissions process the way it should be approached but there is no way for them to succeed. And that is nota acceptable. The School Board is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Any time a concerned parent tries to speak up, they are drowned out by chants that all preppers are cheats. And that is the crux of the issue.

This is not an issue between preppers/gamers at the feeder schools and the under-represented schools. That is an easy one to resolve.

This is an issue between the truly deserving STEM students at feeder schools and the process that does not give them an opportunity. These kids also come from tax paying households and deserve a fair shake.

Great. It sounds like everyone - aside from the cheaters/preppers who continue to push irrational claims - can work together to come up to tweak the current process to identify the best candidates from across the county.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

I don't "hate" any middle school and I don't think anyone is trying to "stick it to" anyone. It's not about you.

Our community would love to see less opportunity hoarding by a small group of parents who have figured out the specific steps required to game the system and the community would love to increase access for more of the community.

While it's possible that phrases like "opportunity hoarding" and "gam[ing] the system" are your love language, that seems unlikely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

I don't "hate" any middle school and I don't think anyone is trying to "stick it to" anyone. It's not about you.

Our community would love to see less opportunity hoarding by a small group of parents who have figured out the specific steps required to game the system and the community would love to increase access for more of the community.

We can agree that we do not want opportunity hoarding by a small group of parents who have figured out how to game the system. The previous system was broken.

The "reform" unfortunately excludes truly deserving kids from feeder schools with parents who are all on the straight and the narrow. They have approached the admissions process the way it should be approached but there is no way for them to succeed. And that is nota acceptable. The School Board is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Any time a concerned parent tries to speak up, they are drowned out by chants that all preppers are cheats. And that is the crux of the issue.

This is not an issue between preppers/gamers at the feeder schools and the under-represented schools. That is an easy one to resolve.

This is an issue between the truly deserving STEM students at feeder schools and the process that does not give them an opportunity. These kids also come from tax paying households and deserve a fair shake.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

I don't "hate" any middle school and I don't think anyone is trying to "stick it to" anyone. It's not about you.

Our community would love to see less opportunity hoarding by a small group of parents who have figured out the specific steps required to game the system and the community would love to increase access for more of the community.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many folks posting comments here are either delusional or have no clue and would write anything to support their point of view that defies common logic. TJ math 4 article detailing email from tj 4 math teachers was not a surprise given all the tj kids now admitted are not tested for math even in the essay portion. TJ math is generally much harder than regular high school math, and even those with aptitude in math have to work hard to get good grade in these classes. Based on the email from math 4 teachers, this tj class was offered extra support, extra practice tests and quizzes, much easier test still the scores were the lowest ever, many students did not bother to even show-up for remedial 8th period classes. The practice final exam contained similar questions that were in final exam still many student got it wrong. Read the full email from the teachers to get better perspective. Unfortunately the low level school board politician or the brain dead TJ principal and the equity crusaders will not care about any of this simply because they don’t care about common sense reforms, but this will not go away because students without solid understanding of math 4 will face problems with math 5 and calculus ab and bc. I expect this problem will continue until they update the admission process to identify strong math students or dumb down the math curriculum significantly.

There were 2024 kids in Math 4. And the kids from 2025 who took geometry in 8th.

And many kids are still recovering from the world being turned upside down. Not getting help? Not doing the test corrections? That’s a motivation issue, not because the kids weren’t strong in math.

Sorry - can’t blame it all on admissions.

Did you even read the email from the math 4 teachers which explicitly says they can’t blame it on teachers, exam or pandemic, it is on the student themselves. Teachers did everything possible to help the students but students need to help themselves. It is a moviation issue so now TJ is sopposed to fix the motivation issue also ?

You mean one teacher’s opinion?

I wonder if that same teacher is on here trashing class of 2025/26.

It means don’t try to twist it to fit your narrative.

Clearly you fit the bill of folks who would say anything to justify their point of view without looking at the evidence. The email represented all math 4 teachers, it said so in the email. No individual teacher would sent the email as to not get targeted by the school board or the principal. You are the one trying to say anything to justify your narrative but this will keep coming back and you can keep shifting your narrative. I bet you are not in a job that uses analytical reasoning.

You are projecting big time.

Teacher opinions about one math class <> conclusive evidence about anything

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

Do you really think that there are parents who have the money to live in McLean or Langley who are choosing to live in a neighborhood that feeds into Annadale, Lewis, Justice, or Mt. Vernon? The parents who have extra money who live in those schools boundaries send their kids to private schools.

My kid will attend Carson as his base school and I still support the 1.5% seat allocation by MS. TJ is supposed to draw from all of FCPS. I have no problem with tweaking the current system, raise the GPA to a 3.75 and include all classes, not just the core classes. Require Algebra 1 and Geometry. Make sure the essay and practical problem are done in a proctored environment. Balance the bonuses for income and SPED better.

Agree 95% - still stuck on the Geometry requirement.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

Read what you wrote, logically doesn't that all make the most sense?

Also FCPS has been a 2 tier system for at least a decade.

From a policy perspective, it makes sense if you're OK further increasing the gap between the top and bottom neighborhood high schools, but creating an off-ramp to TJ for a few more kids at the lowest-performing neighborhood schools. What does that do for the other 98% of the kids at Poe or Whitman?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

Apparently equity doesn’t matter when facilities are involved. How else do you explain Mclean high school? I really wish Mclean would form a township, split from FFX county and take their tax dollars with them.

That's not going to happen, and there's more to a school that the quality of its facilities. When FCPS last published the results of teacher satisfaction surveys, the two schools with the highest overall teacher satisfaction were McLean and Falls Church, which happened to be two of the schools with the oldest facilities.

Most likely they will publish a new renovation queue before the fall 2023 School Board elections. If they don't, the Democrats will take a hit at the polls.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

Read what you wrote, logically doesn't that all make the most sense?

Also FCPS has been a 2 tier system for at least a decade.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this page should follow the discussion on Progressives gone wild in San Francisco and the blowback from "regular" Dems (SFO is overwhelmingly dem and has recalled 3 progressive school board members and a progressive DA)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1063188.page

Our School Board should see the writing on the wall and quit.

Most people are sick on virtue signaling that is eating away at community values

One value our community has is providing educational resources for the community. Not just a handful of wealthy middle schools.

You obviously hate Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run MS, so you think capping the number of TJ students from those schools will stick it to the "wealthy middle schools."

Instead, it will just make Langley, McLean, Oakton, and Chantilly HS more attractive, as education-focused parents hedge their bets by moving into those pyramids.

And the students at schools like Annandale, Lewis, Justice, and Mount Vernon who would have been role models at those schools? They'll more likely be at TJ instead - which over time will become more like an AAP program at the HS level.

This is what happens when you equate "educational resources" with enrollment at a single HS in a system with 25 high or secondary schools. It's the law of unintended consequences.

Apparently equity doesn’t matter when facilities are involved. How else do you explain Mclean high school? I really wish Mclean would form a township, split from FFX county and take their tax dollars with them.