Jefferson Junior High School

I have transferred my student from a private school to this one as it provided more opportunities and level of expectation than the private school. The Honors classes were very challenging and pushed my daughter to work hard. I see her maturity level and work ethic changing rapidly. The teachers are incredibly friendly and always willing to provide extra help. There are discipline problems, but what public school dosen't have them? My daughter never witnessed any of these serious problems throughout the year. Great school with an amazing staff!
—Submitted by a parent

I took my son out of a Catholic School environment to go to Jeff Jr. He was far more challenged at Jeff Jr. as a public school academically than he was at the Catholic School. He took Honors classes in the 8th grade, which he was unable to do at the other school. The class size was a bit larger, but any time he needed any help in any subject, all he had to do was talk with the teacher and they worked it out together. He became more responsible, more mature and time managed and more was demanded from him, therefore he performed to the task as expected and no one 'babied' him. He is much more prepared to enter high school now than he was before due to the expectations of him as a student. The parental involvement is pretty good, as well.
—Submitted by a parent

I actually go to Jeff. Its a good school, just because some students decide to act up doesn't make Jeff a bad school. The teachers really care about the students and what they have to say. They're hard on us because they know someday we're going to be great and change the world. Jeff is amazing and anyone who says it isn't just because of issues with disapline needs to live the day and the life of a student there and you'll see differently.
—Submitted by a student

This is an awesome school! The teachers really respect the students and do everything they can to help their students be successful.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a failure. The undue emphasis on standardized testing and the minority gap hinders the ability of gifted and talented students to excel and achieve their potential. Even the so-called honors classes are filled with mediocre and lazy students. As for extracurricular activities, the school places a much higher importance on sports than on intellectual clubs. And, of course, there are serious discipline problems. Most incidents go unreported and unpunished. Profanity is ubiquitous in the hallways. Any parent with a gifted student will not find any support in this school.
—Submitted by a former student

I feel that safety and discipline is an issue at this school. There are children who continually get in fights and cause very disruptive behavior that are allowed to return to school time after time. I think that Columbia schools needs to enforce their no tolerance policy more effectively. Also there is drug problem in most of the schools from middle school thru high school. This needs to be looked into more throughly than it has in the past. Suggestion: drug dogs brought into the schools several times throughout the year and search lockers and walk through class rooms. Violators should suffer strict consequences.
—Submitted by a parent

I have real concerns regarding the school staff's participation in protecting the kids. I fear that before they take these things seriously, someone will end up with irrepairable harm. I guess schools are no different than any place else. They don't repair things until someone is hurt or sued.
—Submitted by a parent