Early on the morning of Feb. 3, hundreds of Carson students packed into the cafeteria to take the admissions test for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ). Meanwhile, the Supreme Court was considering making a decision that could drastically alter their chances of getting in.

“TJ is basically the best high school anyone here can go to,” said Sylvia Miller, an eighth-grader who took the test, “so a lot of people are obsessed with it.”

TJ is a STEM-focused high school for academically ambitious students. It’s ranked fifth nationally and first in the state. 

Changes to its admissions policy in 2020 generated so much backlash that a case was brought to the US Supreme Court. On Feb. 19, the court decided not to hear the case, meaning the current admissions process will stay.

“These changes have helped to make TJHSST accessible to all talented students with a passion for science and technology,” said the School Board in an email to the FCPS community.

The new test consists of several essays about Portrait of a Graduate attributes such as communication, collaboration, and leadership as well as one problem-solving essay. The admissions office also considers factors like socioeconomic status, English language learning, and IEPs, aiming for a holistic review.

Sarah Dalmet, an eighth-grader on the Voyagers team, believes the test is fair. 

“It’s math based and science based,” she said, “and there are also other essays so they get a wider scope of who you are.”

Students will receive their decision on or before April 26, at which point they will find out whether they’ve been admitted, waitpooled, or rejected.

“You can still get into a good college if you go to your base school,” Sylvia said. “I think it’s important to know that TJ doesn’t define your future.”