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Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), renowned for its rigorous STEM curriculum, is undergoing significant academic shifts under the leadership of its new principal, Mr. Michael Mukai. These updates, set to take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, aim to streamline course progression while maintaining the school’s academic excellence. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes impacting students across math, science, and English.
Math Course Changes
TJ Math 4 and TJ Math 5 will transition to AP Precalculus (proposed AP Math 4 and AP Math 5).
Current sophomores in Math 4 HN or Math 5 HN will not have the option to take AP Precalculus
Students completing TJ Math 2 (last semester of Geometry) will be eligible to take AP Precalculus starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
There is still ambiguity on whether TJ Math 5 will continue as a summer course, as this was not discussed in the recent updates.
English Course Changes (No Major Changes Beyond AP Seminar Option)
Beginning next school year, rising 10th graders can take AP Seminar instead of English 10 HN while still receiving English 10 HN credit.
There is no information yet on whether an AP English option will be available for English 11 HN.
This is likely due to English 11 HN being tied to American Literature through HUM 2 with AP U.S. History.
Science Course Changes
Physics
Physics 1 HN has been completely removed from the course offerings in SIS course requests and has been changed to AP Physics 1
Students currently in Chemistry 1 HN who would have taken Physics 1 HN will now be enrolled in AP Physics 1 instead.
Geosystems
Geosystems is no longer recognized by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and has been fully phased out.
It will not be offered at TJHSST starting next year.
Four-Year Science Requirement Clarifications
Students must take four years of science, including:
Biology 1 HN
Chemistry 1 HN
Physics HN (now AP Physics 1)
If students haven’t already earned a fourth science credit by double-sciencing, they must take a VDOE-recognized science course from the following:
AP Physics
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
If students already have four approved science credits, they must still take a full year of science, but can choose from any TJHSST science course.
Common Fourth-Year Science Course Options
Geospatial Analysis
Bioinformatics
Computational Physics
Electrodynamics
DNA Science 1 & 2
Other TJHSST science electives listed in the catalog
Final Thoughts on Changes to TJHSST Courses
These changes to TJHSST courses, introduced by new Principal Michael Mukai, aim to clarify graduation requirements and better align TJHSST’s curriculum with state education standards while maintaining the school's reputation for academic rigor. Based on these updates, your course selections may need to change, so plan accordingly to ensure you meet all the new requirements.
For incoming students or those newly admitted to TJHSST, these adjustments may affect your academic trajectory, so it’s crucial to stay informed and consult with your counselors for guidance.
For further clarifications, students can reach out to their counselors or refer to upcoming updates from Student Services. More details on additional changes may be announced in the future, so keep an eye out for official communications.
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