Jefferson Middle School

Great school. We are new to Arlington and had some concerns about being "south of 50." Thankfully, we have been pleasantly surprised. TJ has been great, our kids have had a relatively easy time transitioning in and the teachers have gone out of their way to reach out to our girls. Academics have been top notch and we have really appreciated the level of effort that the staff has put into making sure that our kids are being challenged and that they are obtaining a mastery of their material. Overall, I can't say enough good things about TJ - we are definitely looking forward to the next two years.
—Submitted by a parent

I love TJ!!!The teachers are amazing and I've learned a lot! If your looking for a wonderful, caring school, you've found one!

At first it was just like any other school. Now i have fit in well I don't get bullied, I have friends etc. Overall it's a good school

This is an not a good school. The facilities are below average, and the education is not great. I would not send your children here. Also the school offers very little freedoms to the kids.

Thomas Jefferson Middle School is a hidden gem among Arlington schools. The teachers are very responsive to individual students and provide quality flexibility in a understanding enviornment. Recent overall student scores are soaring at Jefferson, and it is reflected in the eagerness of students wanting to learn and be at school. The administrative team, headed by Ms. Monde, and the teaching staff should be well pleased and appreciated for their successful efforts!
—Submitted by a parent

This year in TJMS was my best year, also my last. I am no longer a Yellow Jacket, but boy was going to TJ fun. When I was a little, I just knew TJ as being the school that the County Fair was held at. I really think parents showed enroll their children in TJ because kids spend a great amount of their day at school & the school kinda becomes your second home and no one wants a bad home. I am really sad to leave TJ, but it was an amazing school. Also, for new comers to TJMS, I encourage students to get involved. Do sports, be in the SCA, get good grades so that in 8th grade you can be in NJHS and/or Ambassadors to the school. I was a cheerleader, team representative, and so many other things (: TJMS is an amazing school!
—Submitted by a student

Hi I'm a student who was recently elected Turbo Tiger representative for my team as a rising sixth grader. I was extactic to learn I had won, and I'm also running for secretary next year! Yes Thomas Jefferson might not be completely attractive yet, but the school has launched a beautiful renevation program that will be completed in two years by the time I'm in eigth grade. Please enroll your child in Thomas Jefferson's fabulous program! (Plus we'd love to have a new student/friend! :D)
—Submitted by a student

My daughter and I have had a very good experience at Jefferson this year in 6th grade. Classroom size is small, the teachers are responsive and involved, and she had a good transition entering 6th grade. The school is in need of physical improvements but with the strong leadership of the PTA and parent involvement, I think that will happen. My child also has received an appropriate level of homework. I agree with the other commentor that it is a place that focuses on learning and we really like the small and friendly atmosphere at the school. In sum, no complaints and a very good experience .
—Submitted by a parent

One of the most important things for me is a school that nurtures my children's independence and love of learning. Jefferson is a great fit for us. We've enjoyed the principal, the teachers, and the other students. We have had no problems at all. Jefferson is a terrific school.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't know if the rest of the kids went to the same school that I did, but jefferson is great!!!! I am very happy and have never been bullied, hurt, I've never got in a fight and only 1 or 2 have broken out since I've been there. Maybe I was just fortunate and had good classmates. Excuse me for saying this, but middle school is hard. Teachers are less involved then in Elemantary school. Your kids just need to grow up and live with it. The teachers and staff were great, plus if you have a problem with a teacher, deal with it. A teacher teaches in their own way, if you don't like it deal! I don't agree with everyone of my teachers, but I don't whine and change schools. That's ridic! Jefferson is a great IBMYP with great teachers! Yay TJ!
—Submitted by a student

Well the 2007-2008 school is finished and I have removed my child from this school. The principal is unresponsive, to the point that she told me 'if I did not like the teachers, I could remove my child.' This to me was the easy way out, a cop out and an insulte. Don't get me wrong, there were a few good teachers but not a good match for a struggling child or a special needs child. I would not recommend this school to anyone!
—Submitted by a parent

Okay; I was a student at Jefferson for 2 years before I moved and I must say this school is great. The teachers care about the students needs and they have a great personalites. It just recently turned into an International Baccalaureate World School (IB for short) which is an amazing program that lets your child learn about diffrent cultures more than a tradtional school. Please ignore the fictious comments about gangs because there are no gangs! Yes, there is cliques, but every school has them! Every school , and I mean every, has cussing and backstabbing going around. our child is most likely to invovled in it as well, so do not feel as if your child is victimized if they went to T.J because they will feel this way at any other school. It's quite normal. All in all, T.J is a great school!
—Submitted by a student

This school is not a good school. Admin. staff as well as the principal have no clue on how to solve the issue of Bullying, so much so as I have witnessed as well as heard of teachers bullying the children. I thought TJ had a good reputation. Fights are a big problem too, not enough supervision. If only someone cared, it could be turned around. Teachers just turn thier head at bulling and bad language. I walked through the hall once and saw a group of students cussing, the teachers standing there paid no attention, and it was a heated discussion, I a parent stopped it.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent at this school, and I believe this school is the worst experience my child has ever had. The Staff is unkind and the students are usually bullied to tears. There are constant fights that brekout. There should definetly be a stricter and more proper dress code. If there was a negative star, I would give this school one!
—Submitted by a parent

Thomss Jefferson middle school is wonderful. It just became IB. My child is challenged, and the teachers are excellent. She is having agreat time. I highly recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

well I think that TJ is the Best school in Arlington, Va it does have some Gang involvment which they are trying to stop but what school doesn't. I recommend TJ because the teachers are nice to the students and they Respect them. The only problem in TJ is bullying (Kids talking about kids). Every school has this problem and I see that in TJ when a teacher hears a kid make a comment about another kid they let it go. I suggets that TJ becomes VERY strict about this because some kid's feelings get hurt.
—Submitted by a parent

T.J is a wonderful school. I brought my child over half way during the school year from Gunston. My child was having trouble there. His grade were failing. He was an A student going into the school. After I seen this I sent him to T.J. and there was a huge turn around in his grades. I recommend T.J to everyone. The principal and teachers a great
—Submitted by Kassandra Smith, a parent