OMG - calm the F#ck down!!!!

I think it's great that TJ is getting an upgrade b/c it really needs it. But I wonder if that's the best use of taxpayer dollars. There are so many schools in Fairfax County where students don't have adequate supplies or hell enough nurses or social workers. (I know some of it is outside funding which is good.)

TJ is in the middle of a $100 million renovation. It will be great (and have better science facilities -- a dozen specialty labs with sophisticated equipment -- than most colleges).

OP (if you are still there...) The atmosphere at big 3 is very different from the atmosphere at TJ. TJ is an excellent public magnet school. But it is still a public school. The physical plant is outdated (except for the science equipment), the teachers are not all the best, and it is a very mixed population -- although everyone there is very smart and motivated.
A Big 3 private school is a private on steroids. Lots of money, lots of brains, not a very mixed group. Their idea of diversity is: the Senators DD goes there and she is Haitian. It is just a different atmosphere. You really should look at both and then make a decision.
But you still need to get accepted and both are difficult, accepting far less than apply. GL.

Hate to say it but 21:12 has a point. Usually private school parents have an inflated sense of importance about where their kids go to school. It is refreshing to see public school parents be just as obnoxious as "Big 3" types.

Wonder if all the bile you have affects your health PP. Maybe a TJ or Big 3 kid can research the connection between negativity and longevity and do something to help your kids recover from your toxicity.