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GreatSchools Rating

Thomas Jefferson High School

Public | 9-12 | 1400 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 1 rating

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted February 7, 2013

I am a very proud 2011 graduate from this school. I was in Cary when TJs reputation plummeted BUT I saw Thomas Jefferson High School change. Teachers, administrators and students alike decided to make a difference. The reputation of this school is rising sky high. Even though it has its ups and downs like any other school, I believe it will only get better.


Posted May 9, 2011

This school is ghetto and the students are very disrespectful. I really hate it here.
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 5, 2010

thomas jefferson is great many people criticize this school causee ofits past with the drugs and they don't really recognize that every student at j are great, smart, and that they hav dreams just like any other student in he world. I think peple should just stop criticizing and stop talking about the school cause every scool has problms wit drugs and they might not even know it or might know it and hate to admit. Our school is great our pnciple is awesome and so are the teachers
—Submitted by a student


Posted October 30, 2007

I attended this school 3 years, 9th 10th and 11th grade. I regret not graduating there. thomas jefferson high school is one of the best schools I've attended, there are good teachers such as mr.Sanchez (chemistry), mr.Summers (english 1), mr.Vasquez (english 3 & 4), mrs.Roth (art), ms.Islas (algebra), mr.Muniz (french & spanish), Mrs.Sneed-Hardy (dance). this school is amazing, and even though it had some problem this school is still the best. people attending Thomas Jefferson High School should be proud and glad they are there, they are lucky to be there.
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 16, 2006

the band is one of the best in the city winning major awards in both marching and concert.
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 25, 2005

Low performance in academics. The school is does not have a good sports department. There is not much parent involvement since it is populated with low income families who work and do not have much time to attend parent-teacher meetings.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted July 13, 2005

This school is much to small for the number of students attending.
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 3, 2003

TJ has very smart, well bevahed students and very good extra-curricular activities, but us parents definitely need to be more involved.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 70% in 2011.

337 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
56%

2009

 
 
54%

2008

 
 
38%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

353 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
79%

2008

 
 
65%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 91% in 2011.

324 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
82%

2008

 
 
73%
Math

The state average for Math was 74% in 2011.

315 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
68%

2009

 
 
48%

2008

 
 
44%
Science

The state average for Science was 76% in 2011.

319 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
49%

2008

 
 
43%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 93% in 2011.

310 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
86%

2008

 
 
86%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 95% in 2011.

255 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
88%

2008

 
 
80%
Math

The state average for Math was 90% in 2011.

250 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
69%

2008

 
 
61%
Science

The state average for Science was 91% in 2011.

252 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
76%

2008

 
 
64%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 99% in 2011.

254 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
97%

2008

 
 
89%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students70%
Female67%
Male74%
Black or African American33%
Asiann/a
Hispanic72%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged71%
Not economically disadvantaged58%
Special education50%
Not special education71%
Limited English proficient (LEP)60%
Proficient in English74%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant70%
Gifted/talented94%

Reading

All Students81%
Female86%
Male77%
Black or African American100%
Asiann/a
Hispanic80%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged81%
Not economically disadvantaged79%
Special education31%
Not special education83%
Limited English proficient (LEP)64%
Proficient in English88%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant81%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

All Students87%
Female91%
Male83%
Black or African American75%
Asiann/a
Hispanic87%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Special education45%
Not special education88%
Limited English proficient (LEP)68%
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant87%
Gifted/talented100%

Math

All Students68%
Female65%
Male70%
Black or African American42%
Asiann/a
Hispanic69%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged68%
Not economically disadvantaged67%
Special education33%
Not special education69%
Limited English proficient (LEP)57%
Proficient in English72%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant68%
Gifted/talented93%

Science

All Students54%
Female48%
Male59%
Black or African American50%
Asiann/a
Hispanic53%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged53%
Not economically disadvantaged71%
Special education29%
Not special education54%
Limited English proficient (LEP)33%
Proficient in English63%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant54%
Gifted/talented83%

Social Studies

All Students90%
Female91%
Male89%
Black or African American64%
Asiann/a
Hispanic90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged90%
Not economically disadvantaged83%
Special education71%
Not special education90%
Limited English proficient (LEP)78%
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant90%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

All Students89%
Female91%
Male86%
Black or African American88%
Asiann/a
Hispanic89%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Special education87%
Not special education89%
Limited English proficient (LEP)67%
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant89%
Gifted/talented100%

Math

All Students88%
Female93%
Male83%
Black or African American88%
Asiann/a
Hispanic88%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Special education73%
Not special education89%
Limited English proficient (LEP)75%
Proficient in English93%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant88%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students86%
Female88%
Male83%
Black or African American86%
Asiann/a
Hispanic86%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged83%
Special education57%
Not special education87%
Limited English proficient (LEP)66%
Proficient in English94%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant86%
Gifted/talented100%

Social Studies

All Students98%
Female98%
Male98%
Black or African American100%
Asiann/a
Hispanic98%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged98%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special education93%
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)96%
Proficient in English99%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant98%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

  • In 2010-2011, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".

About the tests


Texas uses Accountability Ratings to indicate the overall performance of each school and district. The ratings are based on TAKS test results, dropout rates for grades 7 and 8 and school completion rates for grades 9 through 12. Schools and districts rated under standard accountability procedures are designated as Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable or Academically Unacceptable. Schools and districts rated under alternative education accountability (AEA) procedures are designated as either AEA: Academically Acceptable or AEA: Academically Unacceptable.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic 95% 48%
Black 4% 14%
White 1% 34%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 0%
Asian/Pacific Islander 0% 4%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 10%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 12%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 38%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 87%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 12N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 11%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 28%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 17%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 18%N/A23%
21 or more years 25%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

4001 Walnut Hill Ln
Dallas, TX 75229
Website: Click here
Phone: (972) 502-7300

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