TJHSST Sophomore Eligibility

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Admissions

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Residency Requirements

All sophomore applicants must, at the time of application, live with a parent or legal guardian who resides full time in, and meets the residency requirements of, a school division that participates in TJHSST. (FCPS Regulation 3355) The applicant and the parent/legal guardian, therefore, must actually reside (be present) in the participating school division at the time of application (which includes the verification of the transcript and test scores). 

The school divisions currently participating in TJHSST are: Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William Counties and the City of Falls Church.

The window to submit the high school unofficial transcript as well as PSAT or SAT test scores (optional but recommended) is April 1 - 24, 2024. These documents will be evaluated for rigor and you will be notified if you qualify to move forward with the application process.

Active-Duty Military families moving into the area should contact the Admissions Office regarding residency requirements. Title 10 PCS orders (not Separation Papers) will be required to begin the process and must be received beginning April 1 and received no later than April 24, 2024, to begin an application. Other federal employees serving under orders pursuant to Title 22 or 50 should also contact the Admissions Office regarding residency requirements. These orders will also be required to be received by us between April 1 - 24 in order to begin and complete an application

Proof of Residency 

If you are not currently enrolled in a public middle or high school in a school district that participates in TJHSST at the time of application, proof of residency is required. 

When submitting an application, please upload one document from each of the three following groups: (1) lease, deed or mortgage statement; (2) gas, water or electric bill; and (3) driver's license or bank statement.  Each document must contain the name of the primary parent as well as the address listed within the application.

Contact the Admissions Office at [email protected] for additional information regarding required proof of residency requirements.

  • Arlington County
  • Fairfax County (includes Fairfax City)
  • Falls Church City
  • Loudoun County
  • Prince William County

Coursework Requirements:

  • All sophomore round applicants must submit (no sooner than April 1, 2024, and no later than April 24, 2024) a copy of your high school transcript, containing all courses taken prior to 9th grade for high school credit, along with your official PSAT/SAT scores (optional but recommended and must be in the 90th percentile or above) before you are approved to begin an application. Biology and geometry (minimum math) must be included in your transcript. If you have any questions, please email the Admissions Office at [email protected].


Applicants to the sophomore class must have completed the following graduation credits by the end of the 2023-2024 academic year:

  • English – 1 credit
  • Algebra 1 – 1 credit
  • Biology – 1 credit
  • Geometry – 1 credit
  • Health/PE – 1 credit
  • World Languages – 1 credit
  • Elective – 1 credit

If your school does not offer the exact courses listed above, you must submit with your application documentation from your prior school (such as copies of the curriculum, course syllabus, etc.) that describes in detail each course and the material covered.

Biology is required as a course for 9th grade students and Geometry is the minimum required math class.

If you have taken Algebra 2, but not Algebra 2/Trigonometry, you may apply to TJHSST. If admitted, you will be placed in the appropriate math course to address the Trigonometry component.

 

Test Requirements (Optional) 

All applicants to the sophomore class of TJHSST are not required to take either the PSAT or the SAT for admissions. [This is optional (but recommended) and we will accept any PSAT or SAT scores you have already received.]

  • Copies of your official PSAT or SAT score reports may be submitted along with your high school transcript directly to the TJHSST Admissions Office between April 1 - 24, 2024, before you can begin an application. Make sure that the test scores clearly show your name. 

We do not accept or consider ACT, ASPIRE, or any other standardized tests at this time as a substitution for the PSAT or SAT.

The College Board administers the SAT. Go to www.collegeboard.org to obtain information about the SAT and to register for that test. Your current school’s student services/guidance office can assist you with this process.

The TJHSST Admissions Office will not receive scores sent to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology through SAT Registration.

If you have any questions, please email the Admissions Office.