Fairfax County's Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is tough to get into. Ranked second in the nation this week by U.S. News & World Report, the school attracted 3,243 applicants this year for the 480 slots in its freshman class.

Rachel Carson Middle School in Herndon, accounting for 76 students of the 480 total accepted, will send the most students to the presitigious high school next year. Carson Middle, with many students from Oakton, is in the Oakton High pyramid. 

Kilmer Middle School in Vienna saw the largest jump this year over last year in the number of students it sends: From 31 students in 2011 to 43 this year.

Out of the county's 24 middle schools, the following eight schools* sent the most students to TJHSST: 

*If less than 10 students were admitted from a middle school, the middle school name does not appear on the list. Numbers under 10 were redacted by FCPS as containing identifiable student information which are exempt from disclosure according to state code.

For more information on admission to TJHSST, see the Patch series that ran last year.