Debate Over Admissions at T.J. High School

Many parents assert that the current admissions system at T.J. High School is fair and rewards the hardest working students. They express concern that proposed changes may lower the school's standards and its prestigious status. Critics of the existing system argue that admissions decisions heavily rely on standardized test scores, which often reflect a child's access to preparatory resources rather than their true abilities. A significant industry of test prep services has emerged, underscoring this issue. Nevertheless, some parents manage to invest in test preparation despite financial constraints, demonstrating their commitment to education. Some believe that criticisms regarding opportunity and discrimination overlook the abundant free educational resources, like libraries, available to everyone. They argue that these resources signify a wealth of opportunity rather than a crisis in access to education.