Hi,

I am trying out for AOS, and what type of essay do they give?

I believe that TJ is better school. There a much larger variety of STEM courses at TJ compared to AOS.

Hello,

My kid got into AOS and TJ and we are trying to figure it out. Any thoughts or insights are appreciated.

Anonymous wrote:Recently without any public review or board approval AOS/AET changed their admission criteria. They removed PSAT and SOL score requirements. Reason given in one of the meeting was that PSAT test needs preparation and helps certain class of students. Instead AOS/AET want to use CCTDI tests.

Removing PSAT test means diluting the admission criteria. Hence future quality of AOS/AET is questionable.

It is may be better to send kids to TJ, which has fine tuned its admission criteria over the time but still attracts students that are intelligent and also can work hard.

Do you honestly believe the bolded or are you just annoyed because you've paid for PSAT prep for your kid?

Recently without any public review or board approval AOS/AET changed their admission criteria. They removed PSAT and SOL score requirements. Reason given in one of the meeting was that PSAT test needs preparation and helps certain class of students. Instead AOS/AET want to use CCTDI tests.

Removing PSAT test means diluting the admission criteria. Hence future quality of AOS/AET is questionable.

It is may be better to send kids to TJ, which has fine tuned its admission criteria over the time but still attracts students that are intelligent and also can work hard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share their experience or thoughts on TJ vs LCPS AOS/AET/MATA. Heard LCPS is planning a full expansion of AOS by 2018, where high school students will have three STEM program options - Academy of Science (AOS), Academy of Engineering and Tech (AET) and Monroe Advanced Technical Academy (MATA), to choose from or qualify for. Would love to understand the differences between these three academies and how they stack up to TJ.

You know, the biggest drawback I see right now is the administration at TJ. The principal doesn’t want the teachers to spend time writing recommendations. And this is a major problem.

Is this true? If the teachers don't write recommendations, then won't it affect exmissions, which then reflects badly on the principal.

The whole US school system itself is rigged. People from rich neighborhoods have better schools because the kids can afford to have extra help to get better and hence property value increases and hence attracts more wealthy people. The poorer neihborhoods will go the other way for the same reason and go worse and worse.
Same thing with TJ and even with AET, AOS too. Since only students of those caliber are coming, teachers need not do much. The parents and students will one way or the other, make sure that they get good grades from parents or external help. I do not think that TJ, AET or AOS has any kids that come from a poor family, since they cannot afford to tutor for the selection exams.
So in short the rating of the school is high because they chose to have the best kids in that place.

A school will be great if the teachers can do something to enhance the capacity of kids in need.

Anonymous wrote:From what I heard. AET/AOS has some very excellent teachers. One of my friend's kid goes to AET and the other friend's kid goes to TJ. THe kid who goes to AET was not liking the math and science in middle school, but once he got into AET, the teachers are so fantastic that he loves math and science. In TJ, kids are on their own and they need to learn on their own. Finally we all go for learning. So teachers matter.

Second that. Most of the TJ kids have to take extra tutoring.

Anonymous wrote:From what I heard. AET/AOS has some very excellent teachers. One of my friend's kid goes to AET and the other friend's kid goes to TJ. THe kid who goes to AET was not liking the math and science in middle school, but once he got into AET, the teachers are so fantastic that he loves math and science. In TJ, kids are on their own and they need to learn on their own. Finally we all go for learning. So teachers matter.

Is this true?

Why TJ parents/students are not doing something about this issue?

From what I heard. AET/AOS has some very excellent teachers. One of my friend's kid goes to AET and the other friend's kid goes to TJ. THe kid who goes to AET was not liking the math and science in middle school, but once he got into AET, the teachers are so fantastic that he loves math and science. In TJ, kids are on their own and they need to learn on their own. Finally we all go for learning. So teachers matter.

Anonymous wrote:DC got in TJ, AOS and AET, has strong interest in robotics...any suggestions on which school would be better?

TJ for sure.

My child is attending Ivy Prep. They teach nutritional content of food so they are able to make educated choices.

DC got in TJ, AOS and AET, has strong interest in robotics...any suggestions on which school would be better?

The education at TJ has been amazing though. My child has been very happy there.

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share their experience or thoughts on TJ vs LCPS AOS/AET/MATA. Heard LCPS is planning a full expansion of AOS by 2018, where high school students will have three STEM program options - Academy of Science (AOS), Academy of Engineering and Tech (AET) and Monroe Advanced Technical Academy (MATA), to choose from or qualify for. Would love to understand the differences between these three academies and how they stack up to TJ.

You know, the biggest drawback I see right now is the administration at TJ. The principal doesn’t want the teachers to spend time writing recommendations. And this is a major problem.