No, you do not exclusively have to live in Fairfax County to attend Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). While TJHSST is located within Fairfax County and is part of Fairfax County Public Schools, eligibility for admission extends to students residing in any of the participating school divisions that contribute to this specialized regional Governor's School.
Understanding TJHSST's Residency Requirements
TJHSST operates as a magnet high school, drawing students from across multiple school divisions in Northern Virginia. This regional model means that students from various local jurisdictions are eligible to apply, provided their specific school division participates in the program and they meet all other admissions criteria.
Who is Eligible?
The fundamental requirement for admission to TJHSST is that both the applicant and their parent or legal guardian must actually reside (be present) in a participating school division at the time of application.
- Actual Residency is Key: It is crucial to understand that merely owning property within a participating school division is not sufficient for eligibility. The student and their parent/guardian must physically live in the eligible area. If you own property but do not actually live there, you are not eligible to apply unless and until you establish actual residency.
- Participating School Divisions: As a regional school, TJHSST typically accepts students from several contributing school divisions in Northern Virginia. While the school is overseen by Fairfax County Public Schools, the "participating school division" clause broadens the pool of potential applicants. These divisions commonly include:
- Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)
- Arlington Public Schools (APS)
- Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS)
- Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS)
- Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS)
- Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
Example: A student who lives and attends school in Loudoun County is eligible to apply to TJHSST because Loudoun County is one of the participating school divisions. However, a student living in Stafford County, which is not a participating division, would not be eligible, even if they commute close to Fairfax County daily.
Key Eligibility Points:
- Physical Presence: Eligibility hinges on the actual, physical residency of both the student and their parent/guardian within one of the approved participating school divisions.
- Regional Access: TJHSST's design as a regional school significantly expands access beyond just Fairfax County, offering opportunities to a wider population of high-achieving students in Northern Virginia.
Why the Regional Model for TJHSST?
The regional operational model for specialized schools like TJHSST enables the concentration of advanced educational resources, expert faculty, and highly motivated students from multiple communities. By having several school divisions contribute funding and resources, TJHSST can offer an exceptionally rigorous and specialized curriculum in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that would be challenging for a single school division to provide independently.
| Requirement Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Residency | Applicant and parent/legal guardian must actually reside in a participating school division. |
| Location | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is physically located in Fairfax County, Virginia. |
| Eligibility Basis | Not solely Fairfax County residency; includes other contributing Northern Virginia school divisions. |
