Blog
Alumni Illuminations
TJS Class of 2019
Siena Evers
October 2021
I attended TJS from 6th to 8th grade, now I am a junior at my public high school, with a 4.0 unweighted/4.61 weighted GPA and taking many GT and AP classes. When I first heard about TJS, I was unsure if I wanted to go there because of how different it seemed from public school, but I can confidently say that TJS not only well prepared me for high school, it also gave me the resources to grow and learn many valuable life skills such as time management, problem-solving, and independence. Having a smaller group of students and having the same teachers all three years meant that the teachers were able to learn about the students' unique learning styles and understand their challenges and strengths. For me in particular, I always struggled with reading and writing, but at TJS my English teacher, Mrs. Samantha, was able to help me with the parts I struggled with. Over time, I learned how to self-teach and ask for help when I needed it. These skills taught me how to find my own success and to advocate for myself. The school environment at TJS allowed me to personally grow while having the guidance of my teachers and peers. Working in groups and collaborating was an important aspect at TJS. I learned how to navigate conflicts calmly and resolve issues through meaningful discussions. Another aspect of TJS was being able to pursue my own interests. We would have many projects where we could choose what we wanted to research. Students would present their projects and it was always fun to see other students' research. I really enjoyed my time at TJS and recommend it to any student that is self-motivated, interested in having a say in their education, and eager to learn.
