Jefferson Forest High School

JF is simply in the top of the area. I am a current junior. Of the teachers I've had, two were below average, most were average, and maybe five or six have been GREAT. JF offers the most AP classes in the area, and is part of the VASS grant that both pays for the AP test, pays for review sessions for the AP test, and gives both the student and teacher $100 if the student passes the AP test. I have had no qualms with he building. JF has some of the highest test scores in the area. I am lucky enough to be in both the JF Cross Country team and Wind Symphony (Both consistently successful for over 15 years). The soccer and volleyball teams are also often successful. The other arts such as theater are also good, just not at the level of the nearby EC Glass High (the only comparable school in the area). Yes, there are cliques, as in every high school. I am in what would be considered cliques for band (the biggest), Latin (The most fun and diverse), Cross Country (The most...Health Conscious), and CVGS (This one spans multiple schools in the area). People tend to stay in their groups, but they don't resent others. New ones are constantly formed. New students are welcomed with open arms.
—Submitted by a student

JF is a great school to which to send your child. There are many course offerings, and they challenge the students to think critically and develop understanding of the world around them. They offer many Advanced Placement courses, and have many students in upper level and advanced classes. The students take pride in their school and most seem to enjoy being there. As others have stated, there are problems with cliques, but that is in any high school in any city or county in the country. I would encourage any parent or student to find a school anywhere in the country or for that matter in the world that doesn't have cliques. I guarentee that you cannot. The staff does a much better job in enforcing the rules, and in making sure that students are respected. Student input in resolving inter-student issues is highly encouraged. I would most definately send my children to JF without any reservations. The education that they receive there goes beyond the classroom to teach them about life and how to interact with people of all types and how to deal with cliques, which students will have to deal with even after school.

Great school. Puts the most students in the area through the Gov's school program. Recent ranking 160 best high school in America. Kids had great experience and environment to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

There are many problems with fights, and selling, buying and trading things. Most families are unsophisticated, insular types. The typical "popular" student drives a pickup or SUV too fast, chews tobacco, smokes, uses crude language. Girls cake on makeup and wear revealing clothes. Quality of education is average for comparable rural Virginia schools. Teachers drag their heels on special needs. Admin focuses entirely on rules. Arts are virtually nonexistent, No hockey or lacrosse. Excellent volleyball. Lynchburg City schools are definitely better: my child has gone to both. JF kids say Glass students think they're a bunch of rich snobs--I'm actually quoting here!--but the reality is that city students think Bedford Cty students are rednecks. The average income and education level of the population from which the school draws is higher in the city. Wish I hadn't bought a home outside city. I'd willingly pay higher taxes for better schools.
—Submitted by a parent

As a current student, I would give JF a 2 1/2 star rating. JF's an okay school but there is defenitly nothing special about it for the average student. The only things I really consider positive are good test scores and their good band and cross country/soccer teams. However, JF is ruled by cliques-if you're not solely in one, you become a social outcast-and a bunch of extremely judgemental students. Also the so called 'newly renevated' school has problems with water leaking through the ceiling in the brand new part of the building. For the average student who fits in, JF's probarly fine, but for me, it defenitly does not do me any justice.
—Submitted by a student

I can't give JF a five star rating, because there are a lot of cliques among students, but I didn't send my son there for the social life. My son has a learning disability which for most of his life had been ignored, pushed away, or even turned around on him as 'laziness' or even 'stupidity.' At JF, I have had several congenial meetings with all of his teachers and the administrators, his disability is addressed head on and on a daily basis, and he is learning faster and getting better grades and standardized scores than ever before. I am thrilled to have found such a fine school.
—Submitted by a parent

I find this school be a bad example of a learning institution. The administrators appear to be more focused on the rules than the student. 3 out of 10
—Submitted by a parent

As a previous student, one who has attended three separate high schools, I can honestly say that Jefferson Forest is among the worst high schools I've attended, or seen. The majority of the teachers are sub-standard at best, though I admit, there are some teachers that are well above what one could hope for, which balances out the teaching situation. Beyond that, the school is formed into a mass of cliques that constantly war against each other. That's to be expected to a point, in a high school, but there's virtually no interference by the teachers or administration. In the months that I attended Jefferson Forest, I saw numerous fights, most of which led to rather severe injury to one or both parties. Also, JF is full of drugs changing hands, children dipping in halls, etc. Find a new school for your child.

Great teachers and a fun place to go to school!
—Submitted by a parent

The testing scores speak for themselves... JF is at the top!
—Submitted by a student

Jefferson Forest is a school for those who are serious about their educations. Unlike the city schools, Jefferson Forest teachers aren't willing to put up with nonsense and imature behavior in their students. More is expected of JF students both in the areas of academics and personal growth. JF's teachers are top notch and committed to mentoring and developing the growth of the community's youth. For years JF has been the most desired school in the county for parents to send their children to. It's no accident that the largest growth in the county takes place in the Jefferson Forest School district.
—Submitted by a parent

If you are not part of that click, then you are out and definitely made to feel as if you have no self-worth. I would strongly suggest one seek another high school.
—Submitted by a parent

JF is a great school. I am proud to say my child attends this school. I can not believe the comment from the person saying jf is two grades behind Lynchburg city schools. The sols speak for themselves on that matter. I have talked to parents from surrounding schools and they are amazed at our parent participation at JF. I feel that my child is getting a good education and has a great group of friends at JF. The forest schools are the only schools that i would want my kids to attend in this area.
—Submitted by a parent

I think there is far too much favoritism shown and not enough teachers willing to be mentors as well. There is alot of peer pressure at JF.
—Submitted by a parent

Jefferson Forest is a wonderful school with fantastic academics. The sports program is phenomenal and the band program is the best in Central Virginia. The staff is friendly and the administration does a fine job at supporting our children's education in a safe, healthy environment. The 'mold problem' was addressed over 4 years ago with commendable efficiency and I am not at all concerned with this problem at all now. I would never dream of sending any of my children to a different school within a hundred miles of JF.
—Submitted by a parent

JF may be academically 'ok', but the teachers do not enforce the dress code.
—Submitted by a parent

JF is a horrible school...first we had to deal with the cancerous mold problems and now we have to deal with the children being behind two grade levels at least from the surrounding schools. That is why I took my children to Lyncburg City Schools which are by far better.
—Submitted by a parent

Jefferson Forest is a great school, and in my opinion the best in the area. Jf excels in SOL's, Standford 9 grades, as well as in their extracurricular activites.
—Submitted by a student