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What Are My Chances #7: Frost Middle School

Each year, around 3,000 students apply to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), and students from Frost Middle School are among them. If you’re an 8th grader at Frost wondering about your odds, this guide breaks down the numbers and how you can maximize your shot.


Frost Middle School's TJHSST Admissions Data (Class of 2025–2028)

Class of

Students Offered

Students Waitlisted

Students Applied

Offer Rate

2028

31

13

108

28.7%

2027

19

28

89

21.3%

2026

24

54

103

23.3%

2025

<10 (TS)

42

97

N/A

Note: “TS” stands for “too small,” meaning fewer than 10 offers were made and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) did not release the exact number for privacy reasons.


What Do These Numbers Mean?

Frost’s numbers tell an interesting story:

  • Steady applicant pool: Between 89 and 108 students applied each year—one of the higher application volumes among FCPS middle schools.

  • Highly competitive: The offer rate has varied between 21% and 29%, meaning roughly 1 in 4 students from Frost has gotten into TJ over the past four years.

  • Waitlist matters: The waitlist numbers are significant. In 2026, more than half the applicants who got in were initially waitlisted (24 offered vs. 54 waitlisted). That means a strong application could still result in an eventual offer even if not immediate.


How Frost Compares to Other FCPS Schools

Compared to other top feeders like Rocky Run, Longfellow, or Cooper, Frost is in the upper-middle tier in terms of offer rate. While not always breaking records, Frost students are competitive—especially in years like 2028 when the school saw a nearly 29% offer rate.


How to Improve Your Chances from Frost

If you’re applying from Frost, here’s how to stand out:


1. Don’t Overlook the Essay

The SPS and PSE are heavily weighted in the TJHSST holistic process. Be sure to showcase:

  • Passion for STEM

  • Creativity in problem-solving

  • Leadership or initiative in your school or community

  • A clear, authentic voice


2. Know the Experience Factors

Frost is a public school, which is neutral in admissions. But if you have any of the following experience factors, they may boost your chances:

  • English Language Learner (ELL)

  • Special Education

  • Economically Disadvantaged

  • Underrepresented Middle School (not applicable to Frost, but other factors still help)


3. Highlight STEM Involvement

Frost students often come in with Science Olympiad, MathCounts, coding camps, or robotics. Use those experiences in your essays—but go deeper:

  • What problems did you solve?

  • What did you build?

  • What did you learn?


4. GPA Still Matters

While not everything, a GPA of 3.5 or higher is the baseline for most serious applicants. The strongest applicants often report GPAs of 3.9+.


Final Thoughts

If you’re a student at Frost Middle School, you absolutely have a shot at getting into TJHSST. Use the data above to set expectations, but remember: your story matters most. Even in years with fewer offers, determined students from Frost have earned their spots.


Frost middle school

 
 
 

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