AoS vs. TJ

Prep School Admissions
1

My son received admission to TJ and AOS. We are now trying to decide which one to choose from. As parents, we want to help him to make an informed decision. We live Loudoun County. We would really appreciate if you can help us clarify the questions:

  • Is there difference in TJ GPA with AOS GPA? (I was told that TJ students study hard to get the same GPA with similar courses as in base school)
  • Are there any advantages to study in TJ over AOS? or AoS over TJ?
  • He likes to study Astro Phsicics, Quantum Mechanics and related fields. I guess both school provide exposure to this?
  • I also like him to continue his other activities outside school such as Scout, Piano, Basketball.
  • Is AoS now as well known as TJ to colleges? Do colleges know AoS?

Any guidance/suggestions would really help!

Thanks in advance.

2

MODERATOR’S NOTE
For the benefit of those who may not be familiar, since they are not often discussed here:

TJ is Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and AOS is Academy of Science, 2 Virginia magnet schools.

3

Thank you!
Just to add on to that - TJ is Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology located Alexandria, VA (Fairfax County) and AOS is Academy of Science is in Loudoun County itself in Sterling. Both are Virginia magnet schools.

Any responses would be really appreciated.

4

Hi! I’m currently a junior at TJHSST. I am a Fairfax resident, so I’m not especially familiar with AOS, but I will just add in my two cents.

It is hard to maintain a high GPA at TJ, but the GPA is presented in context of the school. What I’ve heard about AOS is that since AOS is not an actual school but rather a program, the GPA’s of students at AOS are compared to those of their base school peers and are often lower just because of the rigor of the classes at AOS.

If your son is interested in Quantum Mechanics, we have a pretty developed quantum physics and optics lab, in addition to a very rigorous physics department and electives such as Electrodynamics and Optics. I’m not sure if he could get so much intensive exposure at AOS just because of the resources that TJ has (we just renovated our labs!)

I’d love to answer any more questions you have! Sorry that I couldn’t be that helpful because I’m not a Loudoun kid.

5

Finally which one you choose and what reasons?

6

I go to AOS. In my opinion, a major advantage is the small environment it provides. Students get to know their peers and teachers very well. Also, students have a two year research project, and there are several categories it can be in, including physics. I like that AOS has a focus on inquiry learning, so we try to find the answers instead of the teachers directly giving them to us (in both science and math). There is also enough time to do extracurriculars, even though there can be a lot of homework at times.