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What Are My Chances #8: Stone Hill Middle School

Stone Hill Middle School is one of the most active contributors to the TJHSST applicant pool, especially from Loudoun County. But what do the numbers say about your actual chances of getting in? Let’s dive into the admissions data and what it means for students applying from Stone Hill.


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

Class of

Students Offered

Students Waitlisted

Students Applied

Offer Rate

2028

13

19

102

12.75%

2027

19

34

106

17.92%

2026

21

70

108

19.44%

2025

13

39

81

16.05%

4-Year Trends at Stone Hill: What Do the Numbers Say?

Low Offer Rates Across the Board

Stone Hill’s highest offer rate in the past four years was 19.4% (Class of 2026), with most years closer to 13–17%. That makes Stone Hill one of the more competitive middle schools to apply from, especially considering the high number of applicants.


High Waitlist Numbers

Stone Hill consistently sees more students waitlisted than accepted. For example:

  • In 2026, 70 waitlisted vs. 21 offered

  • In 2027, 34 waitlisted vs. 19 offered

This trend suggests that many applicants from Stone Hill are right on the borderline of acceptance—so a strong waitlist application can still turn into an offer.


Application Volume Is Consistently High

With 100+ applicants per year, Stone Hill is one of the biggest feeders from Loudoun County. But because there’s no guaranteed seat number per middle school, more applicants doesn’t mean more offers—it just raises the bar.



What This Means for You as a Stone Hill Applicant

1. You’re in a Crowded Pool

With over 100 students applying each year, the competition is internal as much as external. You’re not just being compared to other Loudoun and Fairfax students—you’re being compared to your classmates, too.

2. You Need to Go Beyond Surface-Level STEM

It’s not enough to list Science Olympiad or math competitions. Admissions reviewers want to see:

  • Initiative: Did you start a STEM project or lead a club?

  • Problem-solving: What was a challenge you overcame in science/math?

  • Depth: Did you dive deep into a passion area—like building an app, designing an experiment, or learning a niche topic?

3. A Weak SPS/PSE Can Cost You

With such a high volume of applicants and a relatively low acceptance rate, a generic SPS or poorly constructed essay can be the deciding factor. Be sure to:

  • Avoid clichés (“I love STEM because it’s everywhere”)

  • Use specific examples from your life

  • Reflect on why your experiences matter to you

4. Experience Factors May Give You an Edge

Stone Hill is a public school, so there’s no extra bump just from school type. But if you qualify under:

  • Economically Disadvantaged

  • ELL (English Language Learner)

  • Special Education

…you may receive a slight boost in the holistic process.


Final Thoughts

Stone Hill is competitive, but absolutely capable of producing successful TJ applicants year after year. In fact, in the Class of 2026, nearly 1 in 5 applicants were accepted—a huge showing for a Loudoun County school. So what’s the takeaway?

You can get in from Stone Hill.


But to do that, you’ll need to:

  • Make your SPS and essay memorable

  • Avoid generic STEM tropes

  • Show leadership, initiative, and true passion

  • Take advantage of any experience factors you qualify for


Stone Hill Middle School

FAQ

What’s a good offer rate? Is Stone Hill’s 12–19% too low?

An offer rate of 15–20% is about average for high-volume public schools. While schools like Longfellow or Rocky Run sometimes go higher, Stone Hill is competitive and has sent dozens of students to TJ each year—many via the waitlist.


Why are there so many waitlisted students from Stone Hill?

Stone Hill students often have strong but similar profiles, which leads to a large “middle pack.” These students aren’t quite strong enough for a first-round offer, but TJ doesn’t want to close the door. Waitlisting gives them flexibility as seats open up.


Does applying from a Loudoun school hurt my chances?

No, but it does shift the context. TJHSST reviews applicants within region, and Stone Hill is one of the most represented Loudoun schools. You’re likely being compared with many peers—so standing out is harder.


Is getting waitlisted the same as being rejected?

Absolutely not. In some years, Stone Hill has had 70 waitlisted students, and many of them were later offered admission. Treat the waitlist as a second chance—it means you were close.

 
 
 
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