On Dec 17, the FCPS School Board voted to change the TJ Admissions policy. More details here.
If you’d like to provide feedback on the policy, feel free to contact these policymakers: https://tjptsa.com/policymakers/
This is an email I received from an at-large School Board member. A few things it does not mention, but the link above does, include that the admission test, application fee, and teach recommendations have been eliminated. Teach recommendations have been replaced by “experience factors”.
TJ admissions section from the email from FCPS School Board Member-at-large Rachna Sizemore Heizer is below. Click here to see the complete email.
TJHSST Admissions
Our Board reviewed options for revising admissions to the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) admissions process and voted to implement a holistic review admissions process.
- On September 5, 2020 the Superintendent proposed a Merit Lottery process for admissions.
- After Board review and comment, the Superintendent revised this plan to present to the Board two different TJ admissions plans – a hybrid merit lottery admissions plan and a holistic review admissions plan. More details on these plans are in the links below:
- After hearing from many community advocates and much Board discussion, on December 17th, the School Board voted to change the admissions policy for TJHSST to a holistic review as detailed in pages 10, 11, and 12 of the presentation linked above.
- A holistic review will be done of students whose applications demonstrate enhanced merit, which includes being enrolled in Algebra I in 8th grade as well as demonstrating strong preparedness for TJ through enrollment in honors classes.
- Students will be evaluated on their grade point average (GPA); a portrait sheet where they will be asked to demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes and 21st century skills; a problem-solving essay; and experience factors, including students who are economically disadvantaged, English language learners, special education students, or students who are currently attending underrepresented middle schools.
- 550 seats will available to the freshman class
- The top 1.5 percent of the eighth grade class at each public middle school who meet the standards will be eligible for admission.
- The remaining seats will be offered to the highest-evaluated students. There will not be regional pathways for admissions.
- The Board also voted to make the process opt out versus opt in for all eligible students, asked for a community outreach plan to reach out to eligible students and their families to encourage applications and asked for the Superintendent to report on the diversity of the class, attrition rates and more in a public meeting.
- More Information Here