Thomas Jefferson High School
School Profile
4248 S. 288th Street
School Website: http://www.fwps.org/tj/ (253) 945-5600
Interim Principal: Liz Drake
School Built: 1968
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What is Special About Our School?
All Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHS) students have access to rigorous classes and a nurturing learning environment.
We serve over 1800 students in grades 9-12. It is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools.
TJHS is marked by the International Baccalaureate Program (IB), which requires all students to challenge themselves at a high academic level. Rigorous course work prepares each student with the skills to acquire knowledge beyond high school. Students in 9th and 10th grade are enrolled in the Middle Years IB Program (MYP), which prepares them for the IB Diploma Program (DP). IB learning targets are aligned to state standards and all assessments are sent to external assessors, assuring that student work conforms to “world-class” standards.
Recent graduates have gained entrance to 4 and 2 year colleges, art schools and technical schools, as well as serving the military and entering the workforce.
The Construction Apprenticeship Preparation Program (CAPP) is an integrated 4-year program for students interested in careers and apprenticeships in the construction industry. Construction, Language Arts, and Math instructors team to take students through the four-year curriculum. Free college credit is available to enrolled students.
Raider Advantage, an after-school tutoring program is available to all students two hours per day four days a week. Additional programs such as AVID, Gear-Up and PAL help to provide support and resources beyond the school day.
No Child Left Behind Report Card
The No Child Left Behind Act requires all schools and school districts in the United States to prepare annual reports for parents and the public detailing their academic achievement. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s web site makes this information available on-line. Find your school’s report card on-line at http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/, Click on Federal Way in the “Summary” box, then choose your school from the list. You may also request a paper copy of the report card at your school’s office. For more information about the NCLB Act, go to http://www.nclb.gov/index.html
Academic and Student Programs
| ADL Club | DECA/Student Store | National Honor Society |
| Advanced Placement/Pre-AP | Diversity Club | Orchestra |
| American Sign Language | Drama | Photography |
| AmeriCorps | Driver’s Education | Project Lead the Way |
| Anime Club | ELL English Language Learners | PTSA |
| Art | ELO Extended Learning Opportunities | REACH Club |
| Associated Student Body ASB | FBLA Future Business Leaders of America | SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) |
| Athletics – SPSL League | FCCLA Family Career Community Leaders of America | School Newspaper/Journalism |
| Automotive/VICA NATEF Cert. | French | Spanish |
| AVID (Advance Via Individual Determination) | Gator Nation | Spanish for Heritage Speakers |
| Band (Concert, Wind Ensemble, Marching, Drum Line, Pep & Jazz) | Gators Taking Action (World Affairs Club) | Special Ed Inclusion |
| Black Student Union | GSA Club | Special Ed Resource Room |
| Book Club | Horticulture Program | Special Ed Self-contained |
| Cheer Squad/Team | Key Club | Sports Medicine |
| Choir (Treble, Concert & Jazz) | Latino Club | Summer School/Classes |
| Creative Writing Club | Leadership | Yearbook/Annual |
| Dance/Drill Team | Math Team |
Student Characteristics
Distribution of Student Ethnicity |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| African American | 10.20 | 10.62 | 9.56 |
Asian American |
20.20 | 20.80 | 22.53 |
Hispanic |
15.80 | 17.57 | 17.93 |
Native American |
1.20 | 1.06 | 1.25 |
White |
49.80 | 46.09 | 44.37 |
| Pac Islander | 1.20 | 1.64 | 1.70 |
| Multi-Racial | 0.60 | 1.21 | 1.35 |
Other Student Characteristics |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
Number of Students (Oct.) |
1,999 | 2,020 | 1,997 |
Free/Reduced Meals |
38.8% | 35.0% | 39.36% |
How Are We Using Our Financial Resources?
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Thomas Jefferson High School used resources to enhance student curriculum and programs. Purchases included classroom books and materials, in-service activities, emergency management training, and day-to-day operations.
Athletics
Thomas Jefferson High School provides its students with a rich variety of opportunities for students to excel in the athletic arena. TJ student athletes compete in Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity levels in a variety of sports. Thomas Jefferson offers Boys and Girls Cross Country, Football, Boys and Girls Golf, Girls Soccer, Girls Swimming and Diving, Boys Tennis, and Volleyball in the Fall. Winter brings Boys and Girls Basketball, Gymnastics, Boys Swimming and Diving, and Wrestling. TJ also offers Cheer and Dance Team during the Fall and Winter seasons. Thomas Jefferson wraps up the sports seasons in Spring with Baseball, Fastpitch, Boys Soccer, Track and Field, and Girls Tennis. Student athletes at TJ compete in the South Puget Sound League (SPSL) and Thomas Jefferson High School is a member of the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association (WIAA).
High School Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2008
Because student learning is the critical product of education, the Federal Way Public Schools Board of Education has established grade level expectations for students to receive a high school diploma.
With the Class of 2000 and beyond, students shall achieve 23.5 high school graduation credits to be eligible to receive a high school diploma. The equivalent of 90 class periods of 50 minutes each equals 0.5 credits toward graduation.
To qualify for high school graduation in Federal Way Public Schools, students must receive at least a “C-“ grade in each of the required courses. For information on specific course requirements, see the following web site: http://www.fwps.org/info/policies/2000/2410.htm
All students are required to have a minimum of 23.5 credits, which must include:
Subject |
Credits Needed |
English |
4.0 |
Math |
3.0 |
Science |
2.5 |
Social Studies |
4.0 |
Physical Education |
2.0 |
Occupational Education |
1.0 |
Health |
.5 |
Fine Arts |
1.0 |
Electives (Includes Foreign Language) |
5.5 |
Class Rank and Grading System
Class rank is computed semi-annually and cumulatively. All courses that receive a letter grade are used to determine class rank.
One half or .5 credit is granted for satisfactory completion of each six classes per semester. A minimum passing grade is a “C- “or 70%. No credits are awarded for “D” grades or lower and grades and GPA’s are not weighted.
| Letter Grade |
GPA |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 0.0 |
| D | 0.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE)
Beginning in the spring of 2010, the State of Washington requires the HSPE be given tenth and eleventh grade. The HSPE replaces the WASL.
Percentage Meeting Standards in:
| Grade 10 | WASL | WASL | WASL | HSPE |
Math |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
School |
63.0 | 58.0 | 55.0 | 47.2 |
District |
53.0 | 51.0 | 49.0 | 43.1 |
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Reading |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
School |
93.0 | 91.0 | 89.0 | 82.3 |
District |
87.0 | 87.0 | 88.0 | 77.5 |
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Writing |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
School |
90.0 | 93.0 | 93.0 | 88.5 |
District |
87.0 | 92.0 | 91.0 | 84.4 |
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Science |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
School |
51.0 | 53.0 | 42.0 | 43.7 |
District |
38.0 | 45.0 | 39.0 | 39.9 |
Thomas Jefferson High School International Baccalaureate Program
The IB program is a two-year pre-university course of study designed to meet the needs of highly motivated students and to promote international understanding.
The effectiveness of the IB program is due not only to the depth of the individual courses, but also to the comprehensive nature of the program. Unlike other elective honors programs, the IB requires each student to take courses in six academic areas. In order to qualify for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, students must take written examinations in six subject areas. In addition, the students must participate in a creative project and community service activity.
Students earning the IB Diploma are awarded advanced standing at prestigious universities around the world. Many colleges and universities recognize the IB Diploma for admissions or course credit.
| IA* - 10th Grade | WASL | WASL | WASL | HSPE |
| Math | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| # Testing | -- | -- | 255 | 357 |
| # Students | -- | -- | 213 | 225 |
| % Meeting Standard | -- | -- | 84% | 63% |
| IA* - 10th Grade | WASL | WASL | WASL | HSPE |
| Reading | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| # Testing | -- | -- | 255 | 357 |
| # Students | -- | -- | 250 | 320 |
| % Meeting Standard | -- | -- | 98$ | 90% |
| IA* - 10th Grade | WASL | WASL | WASL | HSPE |
| Writing | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| # Testing | -- | -- | 255 | 357 |
| # Students | -- | -- | 250 | 355 |
| % Meeting Standard | -- | -- | 98% | 94% |
| IA* - 10th Grade | WASL | WASL | WASL | HSPE |
| Science | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| # Testing | -- | -- | 255 | 357 |
| # Students | -- | -- | 170 | 198 |
| % Meeting Standard | -- | -- | 67% | 55% |
Advanced Programs Assessment Numbers District
| Programs | # of Assessments 2009 - 2010 |
Projected # of Assessments 2010 - 2011 |
| Advanced Placement | 1,525 | 2,088 |
| Cambridge | 1,350 | 1,961 |
| International Baccalaureate | 793 | 833 |
| Total Assessments | 3,668 | 4,882 |
| 2010 International Baccalaureate Assessment Thomas Jefferson High School |
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| # of Exams | # Passing | %Passing |
| 617 | 408 | 66% |