Some thoughts about the #1 High School in the US: TJHSST

I went there.

At first it is a revolting idea to start something very different than what “the norm” is, but eventually – if it works – enough people catch on and that becomes the norm, the old becoming outdated….

At TJ, we aren’t afraid to try the new, to push ourselves beyond what is the “average”. In fact, we have created a new “Average”, which has been defined at TJHSST, so growing up in that environment puts the expectation on the whole lot. It is those we search to admit into the school, who will live up to that “average”, and not be happy with the “norm” in America.

Other schools sometimes call us snobs, “We think we are better than everyone else,” But if you consider it from a certain standpoint, isn’t it true? Outscoring the US average on every test, we get told about a state test the day before – because that test is for the average, not the above average. We have our own tests, our own bars to set. Those people who think we are snobs are only jealous of our tireless effort and drive to be the best.

But, if we didn’t “act” like snobs, maybe it would help.. so instead of creating a fence around our school, we could let the culture pass to bordering schools. All that defines TJHSST, is driven by the students, followed by the teachers. New teachers learn how to teach as we “command” them, they learn how to adapt. It is the students who are in power, just as Thomas Jefferson imagined the US to be – governed by it’s people. I think the next step should be the students having a say in what teachers to hire, having actual students interview potential teachers.

Coming out of the school, every student knows what hard work is, and respects those who also engage in hard work, rather than becoming jealous at their collegue’s success (after they work harder than they do). If you invest time in something, it is surely to succeed, but you have to have patience and believe.