TJHSST sophomore Admissions · Applying in 9th grade
A new application.
A year of growth
to draw on.
Applying TJ for 10th grade? We help students prepare strong test scores and thoughful written responses that show what they would bring to the school.
Our private 1:1 PSAT/SAT tutoring in addition to strategy and essay coaching are planned around your student’s starting point and the spring application deadlines. Don’t wait until applications open to get started.
A different application Process
Applying for
tenth-grade entry.
Ninth graders may apply for tenth-grade entry, including eligible students who were not offered freshman admission. Openings are limited and depend in part on student attrition. Previous years have admitted 15-20 students.
The application brings together a Student Portrait Sheet and personal essay, high school transcript, three teacher recommendations, residency documentation, and optional PSAT or SAT scores.
How PRINCIPIA Helps
A stronger application starts before spring.
We help ninth graders plan ahead for the sophomore round—from testing decisions to making more of their academic interests. When application prompts arrive, students have experiences to draw on and time to develop their responses.
01
PSAT/SAT Prep
We review existing results, identify gaps, and build a preparation plan with time for a retake where appropriate. Students are welcome to join one of our in-person SAT group classes in summer or fall before the 9th grade PSAT or work 1:1 in advance of a December or March test date.
While FCPS makes scores optional, we strongly recommend submitting competitive results and include test planning in our sophomore admissions work.
02
Application Strategy & Writing
For a competitive admissions process, it’s not enough to just get good grades in 9th grade. TJ wants to see how you are going above and beyond to pursue your academic and intellectual interests. Build relationships with your teachers beyond the classroom.
Through weekly writing sessions, we help students choose revealing examples, answer each prompt directly, and revise for reflection, specificity, and clarity. We don’t wait until applications open to begin.
Before you begin
Confirm eligibility,
then plan the work.
FCPS will go through an official approval process before students can proceed with the full application. If you’re unsure, confirm with the school before proceeding with us.
Residency
Families outside Fairfax County should contact TJ Admissions to confirm whether their school division may participate.
Coursework
Required credits must be completed by the end of ninth grade. Biology and at least Geometry must be on the applicant’s transcript. Review the full FCPS course list.
Transcript
Submit ninth-grade first-semester marks and earlier courses taken for high school credit for eligibility review.
PSAT or SAT
FCPS recommends scores at the 90th percentile or above. We use that guidance as a starting point when planning preparation.
2027 sophomore admissions
Plan before spring deadlines.
These are the dates currently listed by FCPS for spring 2027 for entry into TJHSST in the fall of 2027.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| April 1 | Application process opens at 4 pm. |
| April 21 | Transcript and optional PSAT/SAT scores due by 4 pm. |
| April 23 | Eligibility review notification deadline, 4 pm. |
| May 5 | Teacher recommendation information due. |
| May 14 | Full application due by 4 pm. |
| July 9 | Final decisions released no later than this date. |
The next step
Tell us about your student
Share your student’s coursework, test results, and interest in TJ. We’ll recommend a starting point and timeline for testing and writing support.
Common questions
Before you get started.
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Begin during ninth grade, as soon as your student is considering the sophomore round. There’s only so much we can do if you wait until applications open. Starting before spring leaves ample time for test preparation to maximize scores, and essay work can begin months before applications open.
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We strongly recommend it. FCPS’s policy is test-optional, but we have not yet had a student admitted through the sophomore round without scores. That experience shapes our recommendation to prepare and submit competitive PSAT or SAT results.
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Earlier ideas and prep may be useful, but the student’s development should guide the new responses. TJ still has their original responses. They’re looking for what ninth grade has added to the student’s interests and experiences that makes them an even better candidate for the school now.
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No. Openings are limited, and even strong preparation cannot guarantee acceptance. We focus on helping students present their academic readiness and experiences as clearly as possible to show why they’re a good fit and how they will contribute to the TJ community.