U.S. News and World Report has come out with its annual ranking of top high schools in the nation and making the top of the list this year is Northern Virginia’s Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)—ranked #1 in Virginia and #4 in the nation. Exceeding the overall admittance rates to this elite school is our own Nysmith students who have nearly tripled the average rate of acceptance this year and over the past 5 years.
According to our numbers, of the Nysmith students that applied to TJHSST in 2019, 44% gained admission, compared with TJ’s average overall acceptance rate of 17%. And for the past 5 years, of the Nysmith students who have applied for admission to TJHSST, an average of 49% gained admittance—close to three times the average rate of acceptance.*
Nysmith’s Upper School Director, Nora Webb, attributes these high numbers to Nysmith’s educational philosophy which combines advanced learning within a fun, nurturing environment. She says, “Nysmith alumni at Thomas Jefferson share that they are well prepared academically plus they know how to form peer groups, self- advocate with faculty, and create opportunities to achieve their academic goals. Many attribute these “soft skills” to the experiences and discussions they had while at Nysmith.” The Nysmith School has a history of working in tandem with TJHSST. In 2014, the Nysmith School received one of two “Tommy Awards” from TJHSST for “providing its students with exceptional preparation for TJ’s curriculum and activities, and for enabling gifted students to reach their full potential.” The Nysmith School remains the only school to have ever received this honor.
The Nysmith Class of 2019 will graduate in early June and will continue their education at the following schools:
Schools for Science & Technology
- Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology
- Loudoun Academy of Science
- Loudoun Academy of Engineering and Technology
Boarding
- Philips Exeter Academy (NH)
- Choate Rosemary Hall (CT)
- St. Paul’s (NH)
- Loomis Chaffee (CT)
- Episcopal High School (VA)
- Groton School (MA)
- Middlesex School (MA)
Area Private Day/Boarding
- Sidwell Friends
- Georgetown Day
- Maret
- St. Albans
- National Cathedral School
- Holton Arms
- Madeira
- Foxcroft
- Potomac School
- St. Stephens and St. Agnes
- Flint Hill School
- Middleburg Academy
- Basis McLean
- Paul VI
Public HS with Honors/AP or IB track
- Freedom High School ]
- Langley High School
- Oakton High School
- Patriot High School
*Source: Nysmith School for the Gifted Admissions Office