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{{Infobox school
| name = Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
| logo = tjlogo.png
| streetaddress = 6560 Braddock Road
| city = ]
| state = Virginia<!-- do not link per MOS:GEOLINK -->
| zipcode = 22312
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{Coord|38|49|06|N|77|10|07|W|type:edu_region:US|display=inline,title}}}}
| schooltype = ] ]
| fundingtype = ]
| established =
| founded = {{Start date and age|1985}}
| district = ]
| principal = Ann Bonitatibus (resigned Oct 2024)
| teaching_staff = 114.00 (]) (2022–23)<ref name="ed.gov" />
| ratio = 17.25 (2022–23)<ref name="ed.gov" />
| grades = 9–12
| gender = ]
| enrollment = 1,967 (2022–23)<ref name="ed.gov">{{cite web |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?ID=510126002034 |title=Search for Public Schools - Thomas Jefferson High (510126002034) |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204055615/https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?ID=510126002034 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| conference = {{ubl | ] | ]}}
| team_name = Colonials
| accreditation = SACS CASI<ref name="AdvancED">{{cite web |title=Institution Summary |url=http://www.advanc-ed.org/oasis2/u/par/accreditation/summary?institutionId=10426 |website=AdvancED |publisher=Advance Education, Inc. |access-date=March 16, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402233730/http://www.advanc-ed.org/oasis2/u/par/accreditation/summary?institutionId=10426 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| newspaper = tjTODAY<ref>{{cite news |date=2017 |title=tjTODAY - The student news site of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology |url=https://www.tjtoday.org/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=January 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107055507/https://www.tjtoday.org/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
| yearbook = Techniques
| communities = ]
| website = {{URL|tjhsst.fcps.edu}}
| USNWR_ranking = 14 (2024)<ref name=usnews>{{cite news |date=2024 |title=Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia/districts/fairfax-county-public-schools/thomas-jefferson-high-school-for-science-and-technology-20461 |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217153430/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia/districts/fairfax-county-public-schools/thomas-jefferson-high-school-for-science-and-technology-20461 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| feeders = ] schools
| campus_type = ]an
| colors = {{Ubl | Red, white, and navy | {{Color box|red|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|white|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|navy|border=darkgray}}}}
}}
'''Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology''' (also known as '''TJHSST, Thomas Jefferson, or TJ''') is a ] state-chartered ] ] in ] operated by ]. The school occupies the building of the previous ], constructed in 1964. A ] program was initiated in 1985 through the cooperation of state and county governments and corporate sponsorship from the defense and technology industries. It is one of 18 Virginia ], and a founding member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology.


Attendance at the school is open to students in six local jurisdictions based on academic achievement described in the Student Portrait Sheet—a compilation of 4 essays, problem-solving skills—assessed by the Problem Solving Essay, an unweighted grade-point average consisting of 7th grade final grades—8th grade first quarter grades—and summer grades, and socio-economic background.<ref name=admissions>{{Cite web |title=TJHSST Freshman Application Process {{!}} Fairfax County Public Schools |url=https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-admissions/tjhsst-freshman |access-date=August 23, 2022 |website=www.fcps.edu |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823152607/https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-admissions/tjhsst-freshman |url-status=live}}</ref> Before the 2020–21 school year, the admissions process also involved a math, reading, and science exam.<ref name=Natanson>{{Cite news |last=Natanson |first=Hannah |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Fairfax school board eliminates admissions test at Thomas Jefferson High School |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/thomas-jefferson-high-admissions-change/2020/10/07/0a1f8faa-08a7-11eb-9be6-cf25fb429f1a_story.html |access-date=August 24, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707204639/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/thomas-jefferson-high-admissions-change/2020/10/07/0a1f8faa-08a7-11eb-9be6-cf25fb429f1a_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
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'''Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology'''
]


== History ==
===20th century===
] was constructed and opened in 1964.<ref name=Baye>{{Cite news |last=Baye |first=Rachel |date=April 1, 2013 |title=Elite 'TJ' plans for $90 million expansion |language=en |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/elite-tj-plans-for-90-million-expansion |access-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830053519/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/elite-tj-plans-for-90-million-expansion |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schwartz |first=Deborah |date=June 6, 1985 |title=Old and New Celebrated At Jefferson |access-date=November 23, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138647589/50F38E0746794116PQ |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219002217/https://www.proquest.com/docview/138647589/50F38E0746794116PQ |url-status=live }}</ref> Fairfax County Public Schools' superintendent William J. Burkholder and his staff began working on the idea of a science high school in 1983 with advice from the superintendent's business/advisory council.<ref name=Henderson>{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Nell |date=August 27, 1984 |title=Educators, Businessmen Creating High-Tech High School in Fairfax |access-date=November 23, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138202735 |id={{ProQuest|138202735}} |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219002222/https://www.proquest.com/docview/138202735 |url-status=live }}</ref> Burkholder announced the plans for the magnet school in January 1984.<ref name=Latimer>{{Cite news |last=Latimer |first=Leah Y. |date=January 18, 1984 |title=Bell Urges Business To Support Education |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 23, 2022 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138367236 |id={{ProQuest|138367236}} |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219002216/https://www.proquest.com/docview/138367236 |url-status=live }}</ref> The school board chose Thomas Jefferson High School as the location for the new magnet school in June 1984<ref name=Painton>{{Cite news |last=Painton |first=Priscilla |date=June 29, 1984 |title=Jefferson High In Fairfax Will Become Magnet |access-date=November 23, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington post |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138220120 |id={{ProQuest|138220120}} |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219002222/https://www.proquest.com/docview/138220120 |url-status=live }}</ref> and approved the funding in February 1985.<ref name=Carton>{{Cite news |last=Carton |first=Barbara |date=February 21, 1985 |title=Fairfax School Board Approves Budget |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 23, 2022 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138716460 |id={{ProQuest|138716460}} |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219002218/https://www.proquest.com/docview/138716460 |url-status=live }}</ref>


The school was originally intended to only serve ] students, but after Virginia governor ] chose Fairfax County as the location of a regional science and technology school, the school board voted to accept the funding from the state and allow students from ], ], and ] counties and from the Cities of ] and ] to attend as well.<ref name=Painton2>{{Cite news |last=Painton |first=Priscilla |date=June 23, 1984 |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=High-Tech School Set In Fairfax |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138255905 |access-date=November 23, 2022 |id={{ProQuest|138255905}} |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219002220/https://www.proquest.com/docview/138255905 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Painton3>{{Cite news |last=Painton |first=Priscilla |date=October 12, 1984 |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=Fairfax to Open Science High School to Other Jurisdictions |access-date=November 23, 2022 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138131242 |id={{ProQuest|138131242}} |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219002217/https://www.proquest.com/docview/138131242 |url-status=live }}</ref> The business community played a significant role in the creation of the school, providing around $3 million in contributions and advice on the school's curriculum.<ref name= Sugawara>{{Cite news |last=Sugawara |first=Sandra |date=June 18, 1989 |title=Companies and Classrooms |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/307148367 |access-date=September 1, 2022 |id={{ProQuest|307148367}} |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219002218/https://www.proquest.com/docview/307148367 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hazleton Laboratories (now ]), ], ], ], ], ], ], and other companies made contributions in equipment or finances to the school before it opened.<ref name=Blechman>{{Cite news |last=Blechman |first=Barbara H. |date=August 22, 1985 |title=Back to School: New Facilities, High-Tech Challenges Await Students in Fairfax County |access-date=November 23, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138561982 |id={{ProQuest|138561982}} |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219002220/https://www.proquest.com/docview/138561982 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Henderson /> Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology opened in fall 1985 with 400 ninth-graders and 125 seniors who were selected from 1,200 applicants.<ref name=Blechman />
<table style="background: transparent; text-align: left; table-layout: auto; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0; font-size: 100%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Established</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">School type</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Principal</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">Evan M. Glazer</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Address</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">6560 Braddock Road<br>Alexandria, Virginia 22312</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Enrollment</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">1738</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Average SAT Scores (2006)</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">717-Critical Reading<br />737-Math<br />701-Writing</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Athletic Conference</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">]<br />]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Athletics</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">19 Sports<br />46 Teams</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Colors</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">Red, blue, & white</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Nickname</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">Colonials ]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Homepage</th>
<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top"></td>
</tr>
</table></div><!-- end of slate grey box -->
</div><!-- end of floated right section; article starts here -->


===21st century===
'''Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology''' ('''TJHSST, TJ, Jefferson''') is a public ] in ], with a focus on science and technology. It is operated by ], but enrolls students from most of the school districts in ]. The magnet school program was founded in ] through the cooperation of state and county governments, as well as corporate sponsorship from the defense and technology industries, and occupies the building of a previous non-magnet ] (constructed in ]). As a publicly funded and administered high school with selective admissions, TJHSST is often compared with other notable public magnet schools such as ]'s ], ] and ], ]'s ], the ], and the ]. TJHSST is one of 16 Virginia ], and a founding member of the ].
From 2013 to 2017, the school underwent renovations, adding additional research labs, internet cafes, three-dimensional art galleries, a black box theater, and a dome reminiscent of President ]'s ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Avni |title=Administration celebrates end of renovation with ribbon cutting ceremony |language=en-US |newspaper=tjTODAY |date=April 20, 2017 |url=https://www.tjtoday.org/20612/showcase/administration-celebrates-end-of-renovation-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony/ |access-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830053538/https://www.tjtoday.org/20612/showcase/administration-celebrates-end-of-renovation-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Tim |title=Renovation Keeps Rolling at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria |language=en-US |newspaper=Connection Newspapers |url=http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2014/nov/20/renovation-keeps-rolling-thomas-jefferson-high-sch/ |date=November 20, 2014 |access-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830053538/http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2014/nov/20/renovation-keeps-rolling-thomas-jefferson-high-sch/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The renovations cost $90 million.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Prestigious Fairfax School Plans $90 Million Renovation |language=en-US |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prestigious-fairfax-school-plans-90m-renovation/2100725/ |date=April 2, 2013 |work=NBC Washington |access-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830053523/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prestigious-fairfax-school-plans-90m-renovation/2100725/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


In the 2020s, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) underwent three major controversies regarding its admissions process<ref name="Natanson" />, intentionally delayed distribution of National Merit awards<ref name=":0" />, and its relationship with Chinese entities.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-10-16 |title=Thomas Jefferson High School gave permission to China-affiliated organizations to create schools in China using the Virginia school's name and likeness |url=https://defendinged.org/incidents/thomas-jefferson-high-school-gave-permission-to-china-affiliated-organizations-to-create-schools-in-china-using-the-virginia-schools-name-and-likeness/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Parents Defending Education |language=en-us}}</ref> The school replaced its test-based admissions with a holistic review process in 2020, leading to significant demographic changes and legal challenges.<ref name=":2" /> Additionally, it was revealed that between 2014 and 2021, the school's Partnership Fund had received $3.6 million from Chinese Communist Party-linked entities in exchange for the school's intellectual property and curriculum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-10 |title=Youngkin’s Office Vows to ‘Get to the Bottom’ of CCP Influence after NR Exposes Effort to ‘Clone’ Premier Virginia School |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/youngkins-office-vows-to-get-to-the-bottom-of-ccp-influence-after-nr-exposes-effort-to-clone-premier-virginia-school/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=National Review |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Amidst these controversies, Principal Ann Bonitatibus resigned in October 2024<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-10-23 |title=Thomas Jefferson High School principal resigns |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/education/elite-virginia-high-school-principal-steps-down/65-cc65fe8b-363e-4c28-9d0f-d4440a4e516e |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=wusa9.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-22 |title=Principal of top-ranked Virginia high school resigns |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/principal-top-ranked-virginia-high-school-resigns |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=FOX 5 DC |language=en-US}}</ref>; she stated in an email to parents that she had "pursued and accepted" a "promotion" to the ]' Human Resources department, which drew widespread skepticism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Asra Q. Nomani / Special to the Fairfax County |date=2024-10-25 |title=Controversial TJHSST principal set to resign |url=https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fairfax_county/controversial-tjhsst-principal-set-to-resign/article_e65653cc-924c-11ef-b92c-7b0de32075f0.html |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Fairfax County Times |language=en}}</ref>
==Admissions and enrollment==
]
Every fall, the TJHSST Admissions office solicits applications for freshman admission from rising eighth-graders who live in eligible parts of Northern Virginia. After paying a registration fee, all applicants take an admissions test, which consists of a standardized reasoning test and two essay questions.


== Admissions ==
The reasoning test scores are combined with the student's middle-school GPA to form an overall, objective ranking; the Admissions office will designate the top scorers as semifinalists, a group generally about twice as large as the planned freshman class. The semifinalists will submit further information, including teacher recommendations, awards, and a personal statement. This info, along with the student essays written during the admission test, is reviewed by the two selection panels who will pick the next year's freshman class.
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+ Admission statistics
|-
! Year
! Applicants
! Admits
! Admit rate
|-
| 2012<ref>{{Cite web |title=TJHSST Admissions Statistics for Class of 2016 |access-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404073947/http://www.fcps.edu/cco/pr/tj/tjadmissions0412.pdf |url=http://www.fcps.edu/cco/pr/tj/tjadmissions0412.pdf |archive-date=April 4, 2015}}</ref>
| 3,423
| 480
| 14.0%
|-
| 2013<ref>{{Cite web |title=TJHSST Admissions Statistics for Class of 2017 |access-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412004754/http://www.fcps.edu/cco/pr/tj/tjadmissions0413.pdf |url=http://www.fcps.edu/cco/pr/tj/tjadmissions0413.pdf |archive-date=April 12, 2015}}</ref>
| 3,121
| 480
| 15.4%
|-
| 2014<ref>{{Cite web |title=TJHSST Admissions Statistics for Class of 2018 |access-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404073953/http://www.fcps.edu/cco/pr/tj/tjadmissions0414.pdf |url=http://www.fcps.edu/cco/pr/tj/tjadmissions0413.pdf |archive-date=April 4, 2015}}</ref>
| 2,900
| 487
| 16.8%
|-
| 2015<ref name = "Demographics">{{cite news |last1=Shapiro |first1=T. Rees |title=Asian students dominate admissions to elite Thomas Jefferson High School |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/asians-students-dominate-admissions-to-elite-thomas-jefferson-high-school/2015/03/31/fd6771be-d7de-11e4-ba28-f2a685dc7f89_story.html |newspaper=] |access-date=April 19, 2017 |date=March 31, 2015 |archive-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518034051/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/asians-students-dominate-admissions-to-elite-thomas-jefferson-high-school/2015/03/31/fd6771be-d7de-11e4-ba28-f2a685dc7f89_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 2,841
| 493
| 17.4%
|-
| 2016<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 16, 2016 |title=FCPS - News Releases |url=http://commweb.fcps.edu/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=2955 |access-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416035840/http://commweb.fcps.edu/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=2955 |archive-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref>
| 2,868
| 483
| 16.8%
|-
| 2017<ref>{{Cite news |title=FCPS Offers Admission to TJHSST to 490 Students {{!}} Fairfax County Public Schools |date=May 16, 2017 |url=https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-offers-admission-tjhsst-490-students |access-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824023206/https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-offers-admission-tjhsst-490-students |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 2,902
| 490
| 16.9%
|-
| 2018<ref>{{Cite news |title=TJHSST Offers Admission to 485 Students for the Class of 2022 {{!}} Fairfax County Public Schools |date=April 9, 2018 |url=https://www.fcps.edu/news/tjhsst-offers-admission-485-students-class-2022 |access-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824023208/https://www.fcps.edu/news/tjhsst-offers-admission-485-students-class-2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 3,160
| 485
| 15.3%
|-
| 2019<ref>{{Cite news |title=FCPS' TJHSST Offers Admission to 494 Students {{!}} Fairfax County Public Schools |date=May 31, 2019 |url=https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-tjhsst-offers-admission-494-students |access-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824023208/https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-tjhsst-offers-admission-494-students |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 2,766
| 494
| 17.9%
|-
| 2020<ref>{{Cite news |title=TJHSST Offers Admission to 486 Students {{!}} Fairfax County Public Schools |date=June 1, 2020 |url=https://www.fcps.edu/news/tjhsst-offers-admission-486-students |access-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824023116/https://www.fcps.edu/news/tjhsst-offers-admission-486-students |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 2,539
| 486
| 19.1%
|-
| 2021<ref name=admissions2021>{{Cite news |title=TJHSST Offers Admission to 550 Students; Broadens Access to Students Who Have an Aptitude for STEM {{!}} Fairfax County Public Schools |url=https://www.fcps.edu/news/tjhsst-offers-admission-550-students-broadens-access-students-who-have-aptitude-stem |date=June 23, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824023207/https://www.fcps.edu/news/tjhsst-offers-admission-550-students-broadens-access-students-who-have-aptitude-stem |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 3,034
| 550
| 18.1%
|-
| 2022<ref name=admissions2022>{{Cite news |title=Thomas Jefferson High School Continues to Increase Access for All {{!}} Fairfax County Public Schools |url=https://www.fcps.edu/news/thomas-jefferson-high-school-continues-increase-access-all |date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921170904/https://www.fcps.edu/news/thomas-jefferson-high-school-continues-increase-access-all |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 2,544
| 550
| 21.6%
|}


The school is part of the ] system of ]. Students from ], ], ], and ] counties and from the Cities of ] and ] are eligible for admission.<ref name=eligible>{{cite web |title=TJHSST Eligibility Requirements |url=https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-admissions/eligibility-requirements |publisher=] |access-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826085949/https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-admissions/eligibility-requirements |url-status=live }}</ref> Students must be enrolled in Algebra 1 or a higher level math class in 8th grade and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 to be eligible.<ref name=eligible />
===Class size===
While most of the local high schools base their class size on the number of rising eigth-graders, Jefferson is able to control its freshman class size through its selective admission process. Of the over 2500 freshmen that apply, only about one in five are admitted. This target class size has slowly grown through the history of the school, beginning at 400 students per class in 1988. The class of 2009 contained about 450 students. For the upcoming freshmen classes of 2010 ''et seq.'', the enrollment has been increased to about 500 students to reflect the growing population of its constituent communities in Fairfax County and other participating localities, as well as to place it in accordance with the recent ] initiatives the Fairfax School Board has promoted.


The admissions process is based on grade point average, a math or science related problem solving essay, a student portrait sheet demonstrating skills and character, and details about a student's socio-economic background including whether they are economically disadvantaged, a special education student, or an English language learner.<ref name=admissions /> Each public school is allocated a number of seats equal to 1.5% of that school's 8th grade student population; the remaining seats are unallocated and offered to the highest evaluated remaining students.<ref name=admissions /> During the admissions process, students are identified only by a number; admissions officers do not know their race, ethnicity, sex, or name.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regulation 3355.16 |url=https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/CEHHLJ490428/$file/R3355.pdf |access-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811024554/https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/CEHHLJ490428/$file/R3355.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Student diversity===
TJHSST has been criticized for its lack of minority representation and ethnic diversity. While Asians are well represented, other minority groups, particularly African-Americans and Hispanics, comprise a smaller portion of the student body than would be expected from the populations of the participating localities. The school's largest racial groups are Whites (at about 61.4%) and Asians (at about 30.4%.)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:13:11873615098731818825::::P0_CURRENT_SCHOOL_ID:300|title=FCPS - School Progfiles - Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) - Demographics|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref> Despite this criticism, TJHSST includes students from a great variety of social, ethnic and economic backgrounds, and the school is largely free of any ethnic or racial tension, with members of various ethnicities intersocializing freely.


Before the 2020–21 school year, the admissions process also included a math, reading, and science exam.<ref name= Natanson />
In ], the Fairfax County School Board commissioned a study to determine what steps, if any, should be undertaken to remedy the underrepresentation of certain racial or ethnic groups among enrollees. Prior to the study, although admissions decisions were based mainly on middle school grades and students' scores on the admission examination, the administration nonetheless ensured that underrepresented minorities were admitted in higher proportion than quantitative scores alone would determine. In recent years attorneys working for Fairfax County Public Schools published an interpretation of law that restricted such "soft affirmative action" and which led to a severe decline in enrollment among black students in particular (to the extent that only two or three black students enrolled at TJHSST in certain incoming classes). The commission concluded that a program of affirmative action is necessary to mitigate the underrepresentation, which caused controversy about what course of action should be taken based on this conclusion. Despite efforts, the percentage of minority students has not conspicuously increased. During the 2004/2005 school year, the Black population of TJHSST reached 1.24% and the Hispanic population reached 2.42%.


===Demographics and exam controversy===
===Participating localities===
While the school is part of the ] system (which serves residents of Fairfax County and the ]), residents of ], ], ], and ] counties and the City of ] are also eligible to apply for admission, with a particular number of admission slots allotted to each participating locality. In March 2006, the Alexandria School Board voted 7-2 in favor of allowing a maximum of two students from ] to attend the school. Each school district shares in the cost of operating the school. The ] of ] and ], although located within a participating county, have declined to purchase spaces for their students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://information.tjhsst.edu/admissions/eligibility.shtml|title=TJHSST - Admissions - Eligibility|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible floatright"; style="text-align:right"
==Curriculum==
|+ style="font-size:90%" |''Data are based on the 2020-2021, 2019-2020 and 2018-2019 academic years.''<ref name=usnews />
TJHSST offers an extensive mathematics and science curriculum, including courses in ], ], ], ] science, and ]. All courses at TJHSST are taught at the Honors/GT, ], or post-Advanced placement level. All students are required to complete an introductory ] computer science course. Starting with the class of 2008, the computer science course must be completed before junior year. Students are also required to participate in the Senior Technology Laboratory Research program, in which seniors are required to complete a year-long research project or an off campus mentorship through one of the school's , devoted to fields including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://academics.tjhsst.edu/|title=TJHSST - Courses and Curriculum|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| ]
|align=right| {{bartable|72.0|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| ]
|align=right| {{bartable|18.3|%|2||background:gray}}
|-
| ]
|align=right| {{bartable|4.8|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| ]
|align=right| {{bartable|3.0|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| ]
|align=right| {{bartable|1.8|%|2||background:mediumblue}}
|-
| ]
|align=right| {{bartable|0.1|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| ]
|align=right| {{bartable|0.1|%|2||background:yellow}}
|-
! Sex
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| Male
|align=right| {{bartable|59|%|2||background:blue}}
|-
| Female
|align=right| {{bartable|41|%|2||background:red}}
|}


{{See also|Coalition for TJ v. Fairfax County School Board}}
The school also offers a strong humanities and foreign language curriculum. ], ], and ] are taught in addition to the more traditional ], ], ], and ]. Every other year, the Russian class goes to Russia, and during the other years, students from Russia come to TJ.


The admissions process and the demographics of the student body it produces, in particular the under-representation of ] and ] students relative to the school system overall, have been a source of controversy throughout the school's history.
TJ also offers its IBET (Integrated Biology, English, and Technology) program to ninth graders. Students spend nine class periods a week with the same group of peers, and the IBET teachers work together to produce an integrated curriculum. The technology aspect of the program (formally known as Principles of Engineering and Technology) stresses drafting, CAD, and basic electronics skills. Integrated Humanities courses are offered in 10th and 11th grade, with several integrated programs available for seniors.


After the school's early graduating classes included relatively few black and Hispanic students, FCPS created a race-based ] program to admit more black and Hispanic students.<ref name=Kahn>{{Cite journal |last=Kahn |first=Hilde |date=June 26, 2018 |title=A Stubborn Excellence Gap |url=https://www.educationnext.org/stubborn-excellence-gap-despite-efforts-diversity-stalls-elite-public-high-school/ |journal=Education Next |access-date=August 26, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826082947/https://www.educationnext.org/stubborn-excellence-gap-despite-efforts-diversity-stalls-elite-public-high-school/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The program was in effect for the admissions process for the graduating classes of 1997 through 2002; the county ended it because of legal challenges to similar programs.<ref name=Kahn /> Following the end of this program, the share of black and Hispanic students at the school decreased from 9.4 percent in 1997–98 to 3.5 percent in 2003–04.<ref name=Kahn /> Black and Hispanic students remained significantly under-represented at the school through the 2000s and 2010s.<ref>{{Cite news |title=How should a premier magnet school boost Black and Latino enrollment? A suggested lottery spurs fierce debate. |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/how-should-a-premier-magnet-school-boost-black-and-latino-enrollment-a-suggested-lottery-spurs-fierce-debate/2020/10/02/ccd10348-04b1-11eb-a2db-417cddf4816a_story.html |access-date=August 26, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914204903/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/how-should-a-premier-magnet-school-boost-black-and-latino-enrollment-a-suggested-lottery-spurs-fierce-debate/2020/10/02/ccd10348-04b1-11eb-a2db-417cddf4816a_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/30/AR2010103003460.html |title=Black, Hispanic students dwindle at elite Va. public school |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 14, 2011 |date=October 30, 2010 |archive-date=November 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124221705/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/30/AR2010103003460.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Students at TJ are not given a class rank because the administrators of the school determined that such competition among the student body would not promote the educational and developmental goals of the school. Moreover, the vast majority of the students at Jefferson were among the top 5% of their middle school. The concept of "rank in class" among such already highly competitive students is immaterial.


In 2012, a civil rights complaint against the school was filed with the ] Office of Civil Rights by ''Coalition of the Silence,'' an advocacy group led by former county School Board member Tina Hone, and the Fairfax chapter of the ], alleging that it discriminated against black, Hispanic, and ] students.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thomas Jefferson High School For Science And Technology Hit With Civil Rights, Discrimination Suit |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/thomas-jefferson-high-sch_n_1700247.html |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=March 16, 2015 |date=July 24, 2012 |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226063219/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/thomas-jefferson-high-sch_n_1700247.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Turley |first=Jonathan |title=Thomas Jefferson High School Sued Over Minority Admissions |newspaper=Jonathan Turley |date=July 27, 2012 |url=http://jonathanturley.org/2012/07/27/thomas-jefferson-high-school-sued-over-minority-admissions/ |access-date=January 14, 2014 |archive-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116082756/http://jonathanturley.org/2012/07/27/thomas-jefferson-high-school-sued-over-minority-admissions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In response, the Office of Civil Rights, in September 2012, opened an investigation.<ref>{{cite letter |first=Dale |last=Rhines |recipient=Martina Hone, Coalition of the Silence, and Charisse Glassman, NAACP-Fairfax |subject=OCR Complaint No. December 11, 1503 |date=September 25, 2012 |type=typescript |url=http://coalitionofthesilence.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/cp-tj-notif-letter-pdf.pdf| access-date = January 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Grace |title=Prestigious High School in Virginia Faces Civil Rights Lawsuit |url=https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/prestigious-high-school-in-virginia-faces-civil-rights-lawsuit |website=publicschoolreview.com |publisher=Public School Review |access-date=April 19, 2017 |date=May 30, 2016 |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420143309/https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/prestigious-high-school-in-virginia-faces-civil-rights-lawsuit |url-status=live }}</ref>
The is a required part of the school day. Students sign up for clubs and activities through the school Intranet. Students may study, participate in clubs and teams, attend assemblies, tutor outside the school, and have social gatherings.


In 2020, the school board made a number of significant changes to the admissions process meant to increase the ratio of black and Hispanic students admitted. These included the elimination of the application fee; the increase of the number of admitted students from around 480 to 550; the elimination of an entrance exam; the allocation of seats to each middle school equal to 1.5% of their 8th grade student population; and the addition of "experience factors" including whether students are economically disadvantaged, English language learners, or special education students.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2020 |title=School Board Chooses Holistic Review as New Admissions Policy for TJHSST {{!}} Fairfax County Public Schools |url=https://www.fcps.edu/news/school-board-chooses-holistic-review-new-admissions-policy-tjhsst |access-date=August 26, 2022 |website=www.fcps.edu |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921170910/https://www.fcps.edu/news/school-board-chooses-holistic-review-new-admissions-policy-tjhsst |url-status=live }}</ref> Following these changes, the proportion of black and Hispanic students admitted increased from 4.52% to 18.36% while the proportion of ] decreased from 73.05% to 54.36%.<ref name=admissions2021 /> The proportion of female students admitted also increased, from 41.80% to 46.00%,<ref name=admissions2021 /> and to 55.45% the next year.<ref name=admissions2022 />
All students attending TJHSST must pursue a special TJ Diploma. The TJ Diploma requirements duplicate those of the Fairfax County Advanced Studies Diploma with additional mathematics, computer science, earth science, and engineering requirements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://information.tjhsst.edu/dss/forms.php|title=Forms and Publications - DSS -TJHSST|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>


In March 2021, the Coalition for TJ, an advocacy group opposed to the changes and represented by the ], sued the Fairfax County school board, alleging that the 2020 changes to the admissions process discriminated against Asian Americans.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Fairfax County school system faces second lawsuit over changes to Thomas Jefferson admissions |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/thomas-jefferson-high-lawsuit-admissions-changes/2021/03/10/339e7c3c-81c0-11eb-81db-b02f0398f49a_story.html |access-date=August 26, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027164608/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/thomas-jefferson-high-lawsuit-admissions-changes/2021/03/10/339e7c3c-81c0-11eb-81db-b02f0398f49a_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2022, judge ] of the ] ruled in '']'' in the Coalition for TJ's favor and ordered the school to return to the previous admissions process.<ref>{{cite news |last=Saul |first=Stephanie |author-link=Stephanie Saul |date=February 16, 2022 |title=Conservatives Open New Front in Elite School Admission Wars |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/16/us/school-admissions-affirmative-action.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622034506/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/16/us/school-admissions-affirmative-action.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The school board appealed the decision to the ] and in March 2022 that court issued a stay on the order that allowed the school to continue the new admissions process while the case was pending.<ref>{{cite news |last=Natanson |first=Hannah |date=March 31, 2022 |title=Court says Thomas Jefferson admissions can remain as case proceeds |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/03/31/fourth-circuit-rules-tj-lawsuit/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809191111/https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/03/31/fourth-circuit-rules-tj-lawsuit/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ] rejected a request to vacate the stay in April 2022.<ref name=Howe>{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2022 |last=Howe |first=Amy |title=Court allows elite Virginia high school to keep admissions policy while legal challenge continues |url=https://www.scotusblog.com/2022/04/court-allows-elite-virginia-high-school-to-keep-admissions-policy-while-legal-challenge-continues/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |website=SCOTUSblog |language=en-US |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826221755/https://www.scotusblog.com/2022/04/court-allows-elite-virginia-high-school-to-keep-admissions-policy-while-legal-challenge-continues/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The case was heard in the court of appeals on September 16, 2022, and decided on May 23, 2023.<ref name="4th">{{cite web|url=https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinions/221280.P.pdf|title=Coalition for TJ v. Fairfax County School Board|access-date=2023-05-24}}</ref> The Fourth Circuit, by a 2 to 1 vote, reversed the district court and restored the new admission plan. The Fourth Circuit's decision was appealed to the Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court rejected to review the case on February 20, 2024 with Justice ] and Justice ] dissenting from the denial.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marimow |first1=Ann E. |last2=Elwood |first2=Karina |title=Supreme Court won’t review admissions at Va.’s Thomas Jefferson school |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/02/20/supreme-court-affirmative-action-thomas-jefferson-high-school/ |website=Washington Post |access-date=21 February 2024 |date=20 February 2024}}</ref>
==Awards and Distinctions==
TJHSST has fielded more ] than any other high school in America for most of the 1990s and 2000s. From ] to ], it fielded more ] qualifiers than any other high school in America and has a distinguished history of U.S. Physics Olympiad Team members and medal winners.


==Curriculum==
TJHSST was recently ranked as the top public high school in the nation by . TJHSST also has the highest average SAT score among all American high schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prepreview.com/english/us/rank/sat.htm|title=Top Performing College Preparatory Schools Ranked by SAT I Test Scores|accessdate=2006-10-08|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20050315023027/http://www.prepreview.com/english/us/rank/sat.htm|archivedate=2005-03-15}}</ref> Each year, over a quarter of its graduating class accepts admission to the ]. Other graduates attend ] schools and high-ranking public schools across the nation.
TJ's curriculum is focused on college preparation and provides students with the opportunity to achieve in all disciplines, with an emphasis on science and technology.<ref name=Profile>{{Cite web |title=Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology 2022-2023 |url=https://tjhsst.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/inline-files/2022-23%20TJHSST%20Profile_0.pdf |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117022338/https://tjhsst.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/inline-files/2022-23%20TJHSST%20Profile_0.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

For schools with more than 1,000 students, TJHSST was cited as having the highest-performing ] Chemistry, AP French Language, AP French Literature, AP Government and Politics: U.S., and AP U.S. History courses among all schools worldwide in its size range. No school had a greater proportion of its student body succeed in these subjects.

===President Reagan's visit===
]'s visit in ] provided a valuable opportunity for a question and answer session with many of the brightest young students. A transcript is

===Ian Anderson's visit===
] of the classic rock band ] visited the school on October 12, ], bringing with him classical violinist ]. He answered questions from students about his work, being on tour, and illegal file sharing. The visit was the subject of articles in the '']'' <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/13/AR2005111301291.html|title='Hey Jude'? Duude.|first=J. Freedom|last=du Lac|publisher=]|date=]|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref> as well as the '']'' <ref>{{cite news|url=http://washingtontimes.com/national/20051013-121937-3182r.htm|title=Minstrel in the gallery|first=Dan|last=Campbell|publisher=]|date=]|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>.

===Vice President Al Gore's visit===
] visited in ] to provide the keynote address to the graduating class of 1999.

===Mandy Moore's visit===
In 2000, ] performed a concert at TJHSST as a result of a radio contest sponsored by now-defunct local radio station ]. The contest was conducted via online voting on the Z104 website. Students were allowed to vote for their school as much as once a day, for the duration of the contest. However, because the voting system had no way of verifying who was voting, several TJHSST students wrote a number of various computer scripts that generated rapid, automatic votes for TJHSST, randomly choosing a member of the student body to vote as. ] students followed suit and wrote their own vote-generating script to compete with TJHSST.

In an attempt to crack down on these questionably ethical attempts to manipulate the contest, Z104 announced that computer-generated voting was no longer allowed, and that any high school found violating the rule would be disqualified, removing a number of votes from TJ and several other schools that had taken a similar tack. However, when it became apparent that policing such a restriction would be nearly impossible, the organizers of the contest seemed to give up, allowing the votes to count, and giving TJ the victory by a wide margin of votes.

===Jesse Jackson's visit===
In the Winter of 2001, Rev. Jesse Jackson visited the school. He gave a speech to the entire student body about the recent 9/11 attacks and the need for unity among the people of the nation. His speech culminated in Jackson leading the student body in a chant of his famous line, "I am somebody."

===French Ambassador's visit===
In 2005, Ambassador Jean-David Levitte visited the school. He gave a speech to the French and government classes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.tjhsst.edu/tjtoday/2000/article.phtml?ed=December%202005&i=1189|title=tjTODAY - French ambassador addresses students|accessdate=2006-10-09}}</ref>

===NASA downlink===
On November 15th, 2005, the school hosted a downlink with the crew of ] ]. Astronauts ] and ] fielded questions from students in both English and Russian. United States Secretary of Education ] was also in attendance for the event.

===Bulent Atalay's visit===
In 2006, the notable physicist Dr. ] visited the school and gave a speech discussing topics in his new book,'' Math and the Mona Lisa: The Art and Science of ]. ''

===Jack McConell's visit===
Around October 20th of 2006, ] ] will visit TJHSST to learn from looking at one of America's top schools. He intends to reform the Scottish education system in belief that ] is holding back some of its brightest students.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1489512006|title=The future's bright|first=Arthur|last=MacMillan|coauthros=Alex Massie|date=]|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>

==Recent developments==
===GMU partnership===
In March 2004, TJHSST announced a partnership with nearby ]. Among the proposals set forth in the partnership are the relocation of TJHSST to the George Mason University campus, and instruction by university professors at the high school. In the 2005-2006 school year, a small group of Thomas Jefferson students piloted a program in which they took college-level courses at GMU's Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering.

===Addition of learning cottages===
In response to increasing student enrollment and admission, several "learning cottages" (trailers) were placed in the back of the school's campus in May 2005, occupying a number of student parking spaces and tennis courts. There are currently over 20 trailers at TJ, though some are not being used because of the lack of desks and chairs.

===Japanese exchange program===
TJHSST celebrated the tenth-year anniversary of its sister school relationship with ] in ], ] in ]. Each year TJHSST and Chiben Gakuen exchange several students for language and intercultural development.

=== Retirement of Elizabeth V. Lodal ===
In a letter sent to the superintendent of schools Jack D. Dale, Principal ] announced her retirement effective July 31, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tjhsstalumni.org/news/lodal.php|title=Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology Alumni Association|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>. This occurred not long after publicly associating Asian students with cheating and theft that had recently occurred at TJ. After incessant pressure from a group of Asian TJ parents, Principal Lodal issued an apology<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/02/AR2006050201589.html|title=Va. Principal Issues Apology for Remarks|first=Maria|last=Glod|publisher=]|date=]|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>. In an interview, she stated that her retirement had nothing to do with her remark regarding Asians.
Beginning 2006, she will be serving as a delegate from Virginia on . Dr. Evan M. Glazer, former director of Roanoke Valley Governor's School for Science and Technology, was chosen to replace her.

==School features and activities==
The school maintains a schedule of eight class periods on Monday and block classes the rest of the week, with the final eighth period on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday devoted to a variety of extracurricular activities (with Monday used as TA (teacher advisory)). This means that students at TJHSST participate in several activities, which reflect the interest of many students in not only the scientific and mathematical topics, but also their pursuits in athletics, the humanities and performing arts such as the ], ] and ] intervarsity sports teams and language clubs. There are also activities that are solely made to serve as places to relax, do homework, or play games. Every Thursday, the school day begins a half hour later than usual (9:00 as opposed to 8:30) to give teachers time to have conferences and for students to get some extra studying in or sleep later before coming to school. This is called a .

===Computer Systems Lab===
].]]
The (CSL, often shortened as the "syslab") at TJHSST is one of a very few high school computing facilities with a ]. In the late 1980s a team from the school won an ]P supercomputer in the ] competition, a national science competition for high school students. Unfortunately, the ETA-10P was damaged by a roof leak in the 1990s. ] donated a new ] supercomputer to the school in December ], which is still functioning today. The supercomputers have been used in research projects by students and may be used in a course for students taking the advanced computer science class, entitled ''Supercomputer Applications''.

One of the interesting aspects of this lab is the large encouragement of student involvement. Since the early 1990s, designated student ]s (often referred to as "sysadmins") have maintained the lab's workstations and servers (currently running ] ]/] and ]), including the upkeep of the school's ], web site, and ], among other services. Over the years, students in the Computer Systems Research course as well as the sysadmins have worked to improve the computer resources in the school.

One notable project developed in the "syslab" is the TJHSST Intranet. This large web application was an early venture into ], and is known for bringing ], the original creator of ], to the school for a visit. It was made as a replacement for the aging mechanically-based Eighth Period scheduling system, but now it also provides features such as access to files on the school's intranet and the student directory. In recent years, the Intranet2 project has been developed in order to redesign and reimplement the Intranet system with ] and modern versions of PHP in mind. It was released on May 18th, 2006, but will still continue to be developed indefinitely.

===Performing arts===
The drama program performs three major plays each year. The independent Shakespeare Troupe student group additionally performs three ] plays each year. Every other year, the drama department puts on a musical, complete with singers and live pit orchestra.

The choir program holds several concerts over the course of the year, the largest of which is the Spring Show. The Spring Show is usually held towards the end of the school year and involves both curricular and extracurricular singers.

The orchestra program performs in four concerts over the course of the year, including their Spring Festival in which they are rated by a panel of esteemed judges. For the past several years, the orchestra program has achieved the rating of "superior" at every annual Festival. In addition, they are well-known for their fundraising Viennese Balls. At these Balls, the symphonic orchestra plays waltzes (punctuated at various interludes by swing music from the Jazz Band) for those students who prefer some good old-fashioned dancing to today's grinding. Perhaps the highlight of the orchestras' history, the symphonic orchestra won the title of "Best Overall High School Orchestra" at the 1991 International Quebec Music Festival. Both orchestras that Thomas Jefferson houses, 'symphonic' and 'concert', consistently win at competitions into which they are entered. The orchestras are conducted by Allison K. Bailey.

TJ's band program performs in five concerts over the course of the year, one of which is Spring Festival (see the note on orchestra) and the last of which is the Jazz Cabaret, at which the curricular and extracurricular Jazz Bands show off their stuff to an appreciative audience in a less formal setting. The marching band, or TJMC (TJ Marching Colonials) as they are called, begins practicing in the early summer and continues with their season through November. They perform at many competitions and are repeatedly awarded high standing. In addition, TJMC also performs at every home football game.

===International programs===
In addition to the Chiben Gakuen student exchange, TJHSST also hosts the annual week long ] during the summer for American-based overseas school educators. Also, guest instructors from overseas frequently teach at TJHSST for an academic year, and have hailed from countries such as ] and ] over the past decade.

===Academic competitions===
The ] team at TJHSST is one of the best high school teams in the nation, often winning tournaments at the state and national levels. Its skill level is comparable to those of ] teams, as the team has performed quite well in the college tournaments in which it has participated. In high school tournaments, it boasted a 38-game winning streak at ]'s High School National Championship Tournament, taking 1st place for three consecutive years (2003, 2004, 2005). Moreover, it also won the ] ] National Scholastics Championship, the first team to win both prestigious national tournaments since ]'s wins in ]. The team often produces some of the top players for the Virginia team at the ] which Virginia has won three times in a row (2003, 2004, and 2005) in addition to 1994.

The team has won the ] ] State Championship seven times, including most recently in 2006.

Teams from the school also compete well in the ] high school quiz tournament and television show produced in the ]. In addition, Thomas Jefferson consistently performs well in the ]'s ].


=== TJ3Sat and TJREVERB projects ===
Mathematics teams from TJHSST are perennial contenders at the ] competition and have won the tournament four times, in 1993 and 2002-2004.
The Systems Engineering Course designed and built a ] which was launched on November 19, 2013, from ] in Virginia. ] donated the CubeSat Kit to the school on December 6, 2006, and provided the launch for the satellite. After a successful launch at 8:15PM EST, TJ<sup>3</sup>SAT became the first satellite launched into space that was built by high school students.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/release.asp?prid=581 |title=Thomas Jefferson High School and Orbital Establish Partnership |first=Barron |last=Beneski |author2=Alex Massie |author-link2=Alex Massie (Journalist) |date=October 8, 2006 |access-date=October 8, 2006 |archive-date=May 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524072317/http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/release.asp?prid=581 |url-status=live }}</ref> The launched satellite contained a 4-watt transmitter operating on ] frequencies, and a ] module to allow it to broadcast ]-encoded messages sent to it from Jefferson.


TJREVERB, a 2U CubeSat, is the school's second CubeSat mission. After a 6-year period of planning, building, and testing from 2016 to 2022 that was interrupted by the ], REVERB was launched aboard ] ] on November 26, 2022, at 2:20PM EST.<ref>{{Citation |title=CRS-26 Mission |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xCrWbJQXgE |language=en |access-date=2023-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pope |first1=Troy |title=Virginia high school students' satellite to be deployed from ISS |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/tech/science/thomas-jefferson-high-school-satellite-iss/65-bd7768ce-18f0-418a-8946-dacea821cfc7 |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=WUSA9 |date=28 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103161600/https://www.wusa9.com/article/tech/science/thomas-jefferson-high-school-satellite-iss/65-bd7768ce-18f0-418a-8946-dacea821cfc7 |archive-date=3 January 2023 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref> REVERB was deployed from the ] on December 29, 2022, via ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=TJREVERB |title=TJREVERB |url=https://activities.tjhsst.edu/cubesat/tjreverb.html |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=activities.tjhsst.edu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Costa |first1=Jason |title=NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative Deploys 150th from Space Station |url=https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/nasa-cubesat-launch-initiative-deploys-150th-from-space-station |website=NASA |access-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105150055/https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/nasa-cubesat-launch-initiative-deploys-150th-from-space-station/ |archive-date=5 January 2023 |date=10 January 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The satellite is being located through crowdsourcing, with help from ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=TJ Space |url=https://www.facebook.com/tjspaceprogram |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}</ref> It will test the ] radio<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sempsrott |first1=Danielle |title=Educational CubeSats Set to Launch to the Space Station |url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex-crs-26/category/launch-services-program/cubesat-launch-initiative/ |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=NASA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127030500/https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex-crs-26/category/launch-services-program/cubesat-launch-initiative/ |archive-date=27 November 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> and connect to the students' ground station through email.
The school has won the Virginia Regional High School Science Bowl five years in a row and the National Science Bowl four of the last five years.


=== Computer Systems Lab ===
The school's ] teams are also perennial competitors in regional, state, national, and international contests. In 2006, TJHSST sent four teams to the world championships held at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tjhsst.edu/details/odyss06.html|title=Odyssey of the Mind|publisher=Thomas Jefferson HSST|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: ].{{ffdc|1=Syslablogol.png|log=2021 July 28}}]] -->
The school's computer systems lab is one of the few high school computing facilities with a ]. In 1988, a team from the school won an ] supercomputer in the SuperQuest competition, a national science competition for high school students.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/1988/12/14/08110051.h08.html |title=Virginia School Finds 'Super' Prize's Uses Multiply |date=December 14, 1988 |work=edweek.org |last1=West |first1=Peter |access-date=April 29, 2015 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210018/http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/1988/12/14/08110051.h08.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The ETA-10P was damaged by a roof leak in the 1990s. ] donated a new ] supercomputer, known as Seymour, to the school on December 4, 2002, which is on display as of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://documentation.tjhsst.edu/machines/obsolete/cray-sv1-supercomputer |title=Cray SV1 Supercomputer - TJ CSL |access-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128103025/https://documentation.tjhsst.edu/machines/obsolete/cray-sv1-supercomputer |url-status=live }}</ref>


The lab also supported a number of ] thin clients for use by students enrolled in AP Computer Science. In 2008, the school received a grant from Sun Microsystems for $388,048, which was student-written.<ref>https://livedoc.tjhsst.edu/index.php?title=Sun_Academic_Excellence_Grant_(AEG)#Overview {{Dead link|date=March 2022|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The Syslab was given 7 Sun workstations, 12 Sun servers, and 145 Sun Rays for distribution throughout the school. These were placed in the existing AP Computer Science Lab and the science classrooms, support backend services, and serve as kiosks placed around the school for guests, students, and faculty. However, the Sun Rays were taken out of the AP Computer Science Lab due to teachers' objections. By 2014, the Sun Ray clients were decommissioned, and replaced with Linux-based thin clients running ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcps.edu/suptapps/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=780|title=TJHSST Receives Sun Microsystems Servers and Workstations|access-date=February 25, 2008|archive-date=February 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219004453/http://www.fcps.edu/suptapps/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=780|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sun.com/aboutsun/csr/report2008/citizenship/edu_performance.jsp|title=Sun Microsystems 2008 Corporate Social Responsibility Report|access-date=May 16, 2009|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219002227/https://www.oracle.com/it-infrastructure/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sun.com/customers/servers/tjhsst.xml|title=Sun Microsystems Customer Snapshot: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology|access-date=May 16, 2009|archive-date=February 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226084746/http://www.sun.com/customers/servers/tjhsst.xml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UgXRu_5q5A|title=News Channel 8 (Washington D.C.) story on Sun Grant at TJHSST|access-date=May 16, 2009|archive-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701163002/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UgXRu_5q5A|url-status=live}}</ref>
TJ's chess team has also won the Virginia State Championships for the past 7 years in a row.


== Awards and recognition ==
===Model United Nations===
In 2021 and 2022, '']'' ranked TJ as the best overall high school in the United States.<ref name="usnews2021">{{cite news |date=2021 |title=Best U.S. High Schools |work=U.S. News & World Report |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315042036/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings |archive-date=March 15, 2021}}</ref><ref name="usnews" /> It was previously ranked fourth in 2020,<ref>{{cite news |date=2020 |title=Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301064814/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings |archive-date=March 1, 2020 |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=August 20, 2022}}</ref> tenth in 2019,<ref>{{cite news |date=2019 |title=Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301042703/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings |archive-date=March 1, 2019 |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=August 20, 2022}}</ref> and sixth in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |date=2018 |title=Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301181019/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings |archive-date=March 1, 2018 |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=August 20, 2022}}</ref> In 2016, the school placed first in '']''{{'}}s annual "America's Top High Schools" rankings for the third consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web |title=America's Top High Schools |website=] |date=August 11, 2016 |url=http://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-high-schools-2016 |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223235147/http://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-high-schools-2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=America's Top High Schools |website=] |date=August 19, 2015 |url=http://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-high-schools-2015 |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=June 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621162550/http://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-high-schools-2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=America's Top High Schools |website=] |date=September 13, 2014 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-schools-2014 |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820233522/https://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-schools-2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The average ] score for the graduating class of 2020 was 1528 and the average ] score was 34.5.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology 2021-2022 |url=https://tjhsst.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/inline-files/school-profile%202021-22.pdf |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123091053/https://tjhsst.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/inline-files/school-profile%202021-22.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
The ] club is the largest regularly-meeting organization in the school, with roughly 150 regular participants. Its Officer Corps includes over 20 members, including the Secretariat (Secretary General, Under-Secretary General, Senator, and Arbitrator). The club has been successful in national competitions, competing for awards at conferences run by the University of Virginia, the College of William and Mary, and the University of Pennsylvania. TJMUN is also known for its winning streak at local conferences, such as those hosted by Fairfax High School, Hylton High School, Gar-field High School, and Yorktown High School. TJMUN also hosts its own conference each spring, TechMUN, named for the school's reputation.


The school had 14 Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalists in 2007,<ref>{{cite web |title=Intel Science Talent Search |url=http://www.sciserv.org/sts/66sts/semibook07.pdf |publisher=] (was ])|access-date=April 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121035602/http://www.sciserv.org/sts/66sts/semibook07.pdf|archive-date=January 21, 2007}}</ref> 15 in 2009,<ref>{{cite web |title=2009 Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalists |url=https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=50 |publisher=]|access-date=April 18, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419102937/https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=50|archive-date=April 19, 2017}}</ref> and 13 in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=2010 Semifinalists – Intel Science Talent Search |url=https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=128 |publisher=] |access-date=April 17, 2017 |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419192440/https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=128 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, 7 were named.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regeneron Science Talent Search |url=https://sspcdn.blob.core.windows.net/files/Documents/SEP/STS/2024/Program-Books/Scholar.pdf |publisher=] (was ])|access-date=January 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111010550/https://sspcdn.blob.core.windows.net/files/Documents/SEP/STS/2024/Program-Books/Scholar.pdf|archive-date=January 11, 2024}}</ref>
===NCSSSMST===
TJHSST and ] have been chosen to host the 2007 ] Conference, to take place October 18-20, 2007 between the two campuses. The conference is currently in planning by a small group of students at TJ. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://activities.tjhsst.edu/ncsssmst|title=NCSSSMST 2007 Planning|publisher=Thomas Jefferson HSST|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref> These students are led by Milde Waterfall, an English teacher at TJ, and a Director on the NCSSSMST 2004-2005 Board of Directors. Dr. Barbara Wood, Ph.D., a TJ biology teacher, was Secretary of said Board.


In 2007, for schools with more than 800 students in grades 10–12, TJ was cited as having the highest-performing ] Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP French Language, AP Government and Politics, U.S., and AP U.S. History courses among all schools worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007 |url=http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/about/news_info/ap/2007/2007_ap-report-nation.pdf |title=Advanced Placement – Report to the Nation |access-date=February 25, 2007 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605232634/http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/about/news_info/ap/2007/2007_ap-report-nation.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, 3864 AP Exams were taken by students; over 97% earned a score of 3, 4, or 5.
==Athletics==
]
Jefferson's nickname is the "Colonials". They play in the ] and the ] of the ] after playing in the ] for over a decade as well as a stint in the ] for football.


President ] signed the ] into law on September 16, 2011, at the school. The law was made to reform ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/09/16/america-invents-act-turning-ideas-jobs |title=The America Invents Act: Turning Ideas into Jobs |date=September 16, 2011 |access-date=July 4, 2015 |last=Palfrey |via=] |work=] |first=Quentin |archive-date=January 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120180334/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/09/16/america-invents-act-turning-ideas-jobs |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Highlights of Colonial Athletics===
The Colonials consistently field strong crew, cross country, track and field, tennis and swim and dive teams, and also have a rising football team as well, which went to the 2004 Division 5 Northern Region playoffs. Colonials crew has been a dominating force in Virginia rowing winning 10 of the last 11 boys eight varsity state titles. Both the girls and boys teams have won medals at the prestigious Stotesbury and SRA regattas. The tennis team has won 13 district championships in twenty seasons and the crew, cross country, and swim and dive teams have won multiple state championships in recent years. Other teams with notable success include the TJ Soccer Team, both girls and boys, and the TJ Golf team, which boasts a 16-3 record in the last three years, competing against regional and state championship teams, coached by choir director Luke Frels.


In 1997, 2000, 2013, and 2017, the ] of the school was among fifteen high-school bands invited to the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/music-festivals/mfa-national-festival/2013-music-for-all-national-festival |title=2013 Festival Ensembles |publisher=Music for All |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120803075319/http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/music-festivals/mfa-national-festival/2013-music-for-all-national-festival |archive-date=August 3, 2012}}</ref>
A tongue-in-cheek bumper sticker associated with the school states "we came for the sports".


==Merit award controversy==
===VHSL State Championships===
In December 2022, it was reported that during the previous five years,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/top-ranked-virginia-high-school-accused-of-depriving-students-of-merit-awards |title=Top-ranked Virginia high school accused of depriving students of merit awards |first1=Sierra |last1=Fox |publisher=Fox 5 Washington D.C. |date=December 27, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228000249/https://www.fox5dc.com/news/top-ranked-virginia-high-school-accused-of-depriving-students-of-merit-awards |archive-date=December 28, 2022}}</ref> some students at the school who had been named ] Commended Scholars had not been notified of their achievement until several months after the school was given the awards to distribute to the students, too late for the students to include with their college applications. A lawyer named Shawnna Yashar, whose son was one of the students at the school whose commendation information had not been reported by the school, said, "Keeping these certificates from students is theft by the state."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/top-u-s-high-school-deprived-students-of-national-merit-awards-as-part-of-equity-policy/ |title=Top U.S. High School Delayed National Merit Award Notifications |first1=Ari |last1=Blaff |work=] |date=December 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229091224/https://www.nationalreview.com/news/top-u-s-high-school-deprived-students-of-national-merit-awards-as-part-of-equity-policy/ |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.city-journal.org/war-on-merit-takes-bizarre-turn |title=The War on Merit Takes a Bizarre Turn |first1=Asra Q. |last1=Nomani |work=City Journal |date=December 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222005549/https://www.city-journal.org/war-on-merit-takes-bizarre-turn |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> School officials stated that the issue was a "one-time human error."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/12/29/thomas-jefferson-high-national-merit/ |title=Thomas Jefferson High under fire for delay in notifying students of national merit award |first1=Lauren |last1=Lumpkin |newspaper=] |date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231023757/https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/12/29/thomas-jefferson-high-national-merit/ |archive-date=December 31, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>This led to an investigation of 17 Virginia schools and prompted Governor ] to propose legislation mandating immediate notification of such opportunities to parents and students.<ref name=":3" />
The Colonials have won nine VHSL state titles in athletic activities, all in the AAA level, which are:
*Three in AAA Girls Swimming and Diving: 2002-2004
*Two in AAA Boy Cross Country: 2002, 2004
*Two in AAA Boys Swimming and Diving: 1997, 2002
*Two in AAA Girls Indoor Track: 1997, 1998


== Notable alumni ==
The Colonials have been state runner ups four times, which are:
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
*Two in AAA Boys Cross Country: 2003, 2005
* ], government official<ref>{{cite news |last1=Woolsey |first1=Angela |title=White House staffer from Springfield reflects on working for Obama |newspaper=Fairfax County Times |url=https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/white-house-staffer-from-springfield-reflects-on-working-for-obama/article_9a4c2e92-d44b-11e6-99ca-8770cf4f15d5.html |access-date=August 20, 2022 |date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820095922/https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/white-house-staffer-from-springfield-reflects-on-working-for-obama/article_9a4c2e92-d44b-11e6-99ca-8770cf4f15d5.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*One in AAA Girls Cross Country: 2002
* ], game designer<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/chris-avellone-may-be-teasing-a-new-fallout-game/ |title=Chris Avellone may be teasing a new Fallout game |work=pcgamer |access-date=December 26, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226131013/http://www.pcgamer.com/chris-avellone-may-be-teasing-a-new-fallout-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*One in AAA Girls Swimming and Diving: 2001
* ], Chess Grandmaster<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.uschesschamps.com/bio/praveen-balakrishnan-1 |title=Praveen Balakrishnan &#124; www.uschesschamps.com |website=www.uschesschamps.com |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123091101/https://www.uschesschamps.com/bio/praveen-balakrishnan-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], poet<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rajput |first1=Aryan |title=Guest speaker visits Jefferson Poets |newspaper=tjTODAY |url=https://www.tjtoday.org/32362/news/guest-speaker-visits-jefferson-poets/ |access-date=August 19, 2022 |date=April 23, 2021 |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811201433/https://www.tjtoday.org/32362/news/guest-speaker-visits-jefferson-poets/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], fashion designer and activist<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bland |first1=Bob |title=Curriculum Vitae |url=https://www.bobbland.net/resume |access-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123091048/https://www.bobbland.net/resume |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], author<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tjpartnershipfund.org/2015/03/94-alum-writes-second-bestseller/|title=Alum Writes Another Bestseller {{!}} TJ Partnership Fund|website=tjpartnershipfund.org|language=en-US|access-date=November 26, 2017|archive-date=August 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826082944/http://tjpartnershipfund.org/2015/03/94-alum-writes-second-bestseller/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ], theoretical cognitive scientist<ref>{{cite web |last1=Changizi |first1=Mark |title=About |url=https://www.changizi.com/about.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-date=July 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724184915/https://www.changizi.com/about.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], baseball executive<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2018/11/14/orioles-reportedly-choose-astros-executive-mike-elias-new-general-manager/ |title=Orioles reportedly choose Astros executive Mike Elias as new general manager |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115030743/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2018/11/14/orioles-reportedly-choose-astros-executive-mike-elias-new-general-manager/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], mathematician and ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Newsworthy |publisher=Thomas Jefferson Partnership Fund |date=2013 |url=http://tjpartnershipfund.org/docs/newsletter/winter-13-14.pdf |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123091050/http://tjpartnershipfund.org/docs/newsletter/winter-13-14.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 11, 1995 |title=Rhodes Scholarships Go To Four With D.C. or VA. Ties |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1995/12/11/rhodes-scholarships-go-to-four-people-with-dc-or-va-ties/6790e84a-9f4b-4f54-8b12-a416e6591fb2/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051558/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1995/12/11/rhodes-scholarships-go-to-four-people-with-dc-or-va-ties/6790e84a-9f4b-4f54-8b12-a416e6591fb2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], professional ] and '']'' player<ref>{{cite news |last1=de Vise |first1=Daniel |title=Poker becomes a sport for young American males |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/poker-becomes-a-sport-for-young-american-males/2011/10/04/gIQAn247aL_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 19, 2022 |date=October 10, 2011}}</ref>
* ], sociologist<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Goldrick-Rab |first1=Sara |last2=Levy Thompson |first2=Saskia |date=May 7, 2020 |title=Sara Goldrick-Rab on Making College More Successful for Students |url=https://www.carnegie.org/topics/topic-articles/student-success/sara-goldrick-rab-making-college-more-successful-students/ |access-date=August 19, 2022 |website=Carnegie Corporation of New York |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922221356/https://www.carnegie.org/topics/topic-articles/student-success/sara-goldrick-rab-making-college-more-successful-students/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], CTO of ]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/skhannon/ |title=Stephanie Hannon LinkedIn Profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814180902/https://www.linkedin.com/in/skhannon/|archive-date=August 14, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* ], programmer, artist, and co-founder of ]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wweek.com/arts/2016/01/27/the-oscar-wilde-of-bots-now-lives-in-portland/ |access-date=February 2, 2018 |language=en |title="The Oscar Wilde of Bots" Now Lives in Portland |work=Willamette Week |first=Adrienne |last=So |date=January 26, 2016 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203065000/http://www.wweek.com/arts/2016/01/27/the-oscar-wilde-of-bots-now-lives-in-portland/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], climate activist<ref name="Natanson2">{{Cite news |last1=Natanson |first1=Hannah |title=Their schools and streets empty, teen climate activists find new ways to strike |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/teen-climate-activists-coronavirus-strike/2020/04/10/521a0e5a-7448-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=April 10, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621082634/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/teen-climate-activists-coronavirus-strike/2020/04/10/521a0e5a-7448-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
* ], game developer and computer programmer<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://psmag.com/environment/makes-smart-computer-programmer-video-game-development-google-andrew-kirmse-94112 |title=What Makes You So Smart, Computer Programmer? |work=Pacific Standard |access-date=December 26, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226130759/https://psmag.com/environment/makes-smart-computer-programmer-video-game-development-google-andrew-kirmse-94112 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], screenwriter<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1999/07/09/the-reliable-source/39a102ad-e1c7-4b26-bf57-77d0b60b3c7b/|title=The Reliable Source|last=Grove|first=Lloyd|date=1999-07-09|newspaper=]|access-date=2023-02-19|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
* ], professional long-distance runner<ref>{{cite web |title=Wait a Minute, was That? Go Christo! |publisher=RunWashington.com |url=http://www.runwashington.com/2015/02/09/wait-minute-go-christo/|access-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414220936/http://www.runwashington.com/2015/02/09/wait-minute-go-christo/|archive-date=April 14, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* ], entrepreneur, co-founder of ]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.yext.com/about/leadership/howard-lerman/|title=Howard Lerman {{!}} Founder & CEO - Yext|work=Yext|access-date=November 26, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042421/http://www.yext.com/about/leadership/howard-lerman/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ], actor<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/08/17/jose-llana-an-actor-in-a-regal-role-whos-whistling-a-happy-tune/ |title=Jose Llana, an actor in a regal role who's whistling a happy tune |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206145900/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/08/17/jose-llana-an-actor-in-a-regal-role-whos-whistling-a-happy-tune/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], biological engineer, founder of ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Geoffrey von Maltzahn |url=https://lemelson.mit.edu/award-winners/geoffrey-von-maltzahn |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702202102/https://lemelson.mit.edu/award-winners/geoffrey-von-maltzahn |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], film/television producer, writer, physician, anthropologist<ref>{{cite AV media |date=May 3, 2017 |title=The Most Potent Forms of Fear Come in the Name of Love {{!}} Dr. Mehret Mandefro {{!}} TEDxPaloAlto |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUC9ui1HiLg |access-date=August 19, 2022 |time=2:08 |publisher=TEDx Talks |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819223344/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUC9ui1HiLg |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], screenwriter<ref>{{cite web |title=FEATURED ENTERTAINER: ASHLEY MILLER |date=January 22, 2015 |url=http://scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/article/featured-entertainer-ashley-miller/ |publisher=The Science and Entertainment Exchange |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123091052/http://scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/article/featured-entertainer-ashley-miller/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], CEO and co-founder of ]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cabot |first1=Heather |last2=Walraven |first2=Samantha |title=This Entrepreneur A/B Tested Her Clothes to Combat Sexism |url=https://www.wired.com/2017/05/entrepreneur-ab-tested-clothes-combat-sexism/ |access-date=August 19, 2022 |magazine=Wired |date=May 26, 2017 |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819213553/https://www.wired.com/2017/05/entrepreneur-ab-tested-clothes-combat-sexism/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], restaurateur<ref>{{cite web |title=TJ Partnership Fund Newsletter, November 2015 |url=https://www.tjpartnershipfund.org/uploaded/photos/Newsletters/TJPF_Newsletter_Fall_2015.pdf |access-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113203340/https://www.tjpartnershipfund.org/uploaded/photos/Newsletters/TJPF_Newsletter_Fall_2015.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], comedian<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/11/07/501017521/comedian-aparna-nancherla-makes-light-of-the-heavy-stuff |title=Comedian Aparna Nancherla Makes Light of the Heavy Stuff |work=National Public Radio |access-date=November 26, 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040303/https://www.npr.org/2016/11/07/501017521/comedian-aparna-nancherla-makes-light-of-the-heavy-stuff |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-09-07/aparna-nancherla-s-failed-science-career |title=Aparna Nancherla's failed science career |work=Public Radio International |access-date=November 26, 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033636/https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-09-07/aparna-nancherla-s-failed-science-career |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], broadcast journalist<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cleary |first1=Tom |title=Amna Nawaz: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/news/2019/12/amna-nawaz/ |website=Heavy |access-date=August 19, 2022 |date=December 19, 2019 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820034200/https://heavy.com/news/2019/12/amna-nawaz/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], singer-songwriter<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Dan |title=Thao Nguyen Rejects 9-to-5 Life for Music Career |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/16/AR2009041601538.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 19, 2022 |date=April 17, 2009 |archive-date=December 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204101917/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/16/AR2009041601538.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], ] of the ]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ny.koreatimes.com/article/20181015/1208637 |title=연방항소법원 판사에 한인 2명 지명 - 미주 한국일보 |language=ko |trans-title=2 Korean nominations to judge of the Federal Court of Appeals |date=October 15, 2018 |author1=Lee Jong-kook |website=] |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123091054/http://ny.koreatimes.com/article/20181015/1208637 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], computer scientist and ]<ref>{{cite news |last=Kunkle |first=Fredrick |date=November 24, 2013 |title=Four Virginian students among Rhodes Scholarship recipients |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/four-virginian-students-among-rhodes-scholarship-recipients/2013/11/24/f994612e-5543-11e3-835d-e7173847c7cc_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217014659/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/four-virginian-students-among-rhodes-scholarship-recipients/2013/11/24/f994612e-5543-11e3-835d-e7173847c7cc_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], creator of ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gocolumbialions.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9600&ATCLID=883958 |title=Football Welcomes 31 Recruits to 2007 Squad - GoColumbiaLions.com—Official Web Site of Columbia University Athletics |website=Gocolumbialions.com |date=May 11, 2007 |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519110619/http://www.gocolumbialions.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9600&ATCLID=883958 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], lawyer<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/third-option-gets-some-traction-in-va-governors-race-libertarian-rob-sarvis/2013/10/02/ef9d7fda-2a04-11e3-8ade-a1f23cda135e_story.html |title=Third option gains some traction in Va. governor's race |last=Schwartzman |first=Paul |date=October 2, 2013 |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=December 26, 2017 |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=December 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226131303/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/third-option-gets-some-traction-in-va-governors-race-libertarian-rob-sarvis/2013/10/02/ef9d7fda-2a04-11e3-8ade-a1f23cda135e_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], experimental physicist and ] (2020)<ref name=SfS>{{cite web |title=Conversations with Maya: Monika Schleier-Smith |url=https://www.societyforscience.org/blog/conversations-with-maya-monika-schleier-smith/ |website=Society for Science & the Public |date=January 22, 2021 |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820043130/https://www.societyforscience.org/blog/conversations-with-maya-monika-schleier-smith/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], swimmer<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/jefferson-swimmer-andrew-seliskar-tries-to-do-it-all/2014/02/19/04adfae4-98b9-11e3-b931-0204122c514b_story.html |title=Jefferson swimmer Andrew Seliskar tries to do it all |newspaper=] |date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=October 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305073449/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/jefferson-swimmer-andrew-seliskar-tries-to-do-it-all/2014/02/19/04adfae4-98b9-11e3-b931-0204122c514b_story.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Joshua Specht, author of '']'', history professor at ]<ref>{{Cite news|title=Students Are Scholarship Semifinalists|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2002/11/14/students-are-scholarship-semifinalists/41b3a112-e1d9-4b70-9b7b-d1eb888d11e2/|access-date=2021-07-27|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dame|first=Marketing Communications: Web {{!}} University of Notre|title=Joshua - Specht {{!}} Department of History {{!}} University of Notre Dame|url=https://history.nd.edu/people/joshua-specht/|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Department of History|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Graybill |first1=Andrew R. |date=September 2020 |title=Better (and Worse) Living through Agribusiness |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/763795 |journal=] |volume=48 |issue=3 |pages=432–438 |doi=10.1353/rah.2020.0058 |s2cid=226500259 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |name-list-style=vanc}}</ref>
* ], author<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nachum |first1=Stav |title=Jefferson alumnus Meagan Spooner answers questions about her writing career |url=https://www.tjtoday.org/11237/entertainment/jefferson-alumnus-meagan-spooner-answers-questions-about-writing-career-2/ |newspaper=tjTODAY |access-date=August 20, 2022 |date=March 23, 2014 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820090559/https://www.tjtoday.org/11237/entertainment/jefferson-alumnus-meagan-spooner-answers-questions-about-writing-career-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], ]<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.richmond.com/news/local/richmond-s-maggie-walker-governor-s-school-might-produce-an/article_7d7b177d-6d26-576f-aed6-d33fb9d1a6a7.html |title=Richmond's Maggie Walker governor's school might produce an actual governor on Nov. 8 - just not in Virginia |last=Times-Dispatch |first=SARAH KLEINER Richmond |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |access-date=November 26, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518150229/https://richmond.com/news/local/richmond-s-maggie-walker-governor-s-school-might-produce-an/article_7d7b177d-6d26-576f-aed6-d33fb9d1a6a7.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], co-founder of ]<ref>{{Cite twitter |user=tjcolonials |number=684903151997157376 |title=Congrats to TJ Class of 2004's Vlad Tenev and Divya Nettimi for their @Forbes "30 under 30" recognition! https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30-2016/finance/#41a33dde55cc |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820043129/https://twitter.com/tjcolonials/status/684903151997157376 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], journalist<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Noah |title=WHAT MAKES YOU SO SMART, WEB EDITOR? |url=https://psmag.com/environment/makes-smart-web-editor-owen-thomas-readwrite-say-media-tempest-96156 |magazine=Pacific Standard |access-date=August 20, 2022 |date=December 11, 2014 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820175505/https://psmag.com/environment/makes-smart-web-editor-owen-thomas-readwrite-say-media-tempest-96156 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], author<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weeks |first1=Linton |title=For Two Young Authors, a Happy Beginning |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2004/05/28/for-two-young-authors-a-happy-beginning/2931c3f1-2004-4f6f-b598-688bc28db399/ |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 19, 2022 |date=May 28, 2004}}</ref>
* ], Head of Data Policy at the ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewellesleynews.com/2016/11/03/anne-toth-93-forges-her-way-to-the-top-of-the-tech-industry/|title=Anne Toth '93 forges her way to the top of the tech industry {{!}} The Wellesley News|website=thewellesleynews.com|date=November 4, 2016|language=en-US|access-date=December 26, 2017|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920101403/http://thewellesleynews.com/2016/11/03/anne-toth-93-forges-her-way-to-the-top-of-the-tech-industry/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/authors/anne-toth/ |title=Anne Toth - Agenda Contributor |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925084043/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/authors/anne-toth/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.linkedin.com/pub/greg-tseng/0/0/8a9 |title=Greg Tseng |publisher=LinkedIn |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=July 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717000142/http://www.linkedin.com/pub/greg-tseng/0/0/8a9 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], novelist and lawyer<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thompson |first=Krissah |date=February 13, 2014 |title="I've always thought your people were very bright." N. Va. native's novel explores the "bamboo ceiling" |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/author-n-va-native-helen-wan-on-the-bamboo-ceiling/2014/02/12/89cc0b76-5151-11e3-9e2c-e1d01116fd98_story.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201082257/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/author-n-va-native-helen-wan-on-the-bamboo-ceiling/2014/02/12/89cc0b76-5151-11e3-9e2c-e1d01116fd98_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], soccer player, Olympian<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.vadcsoccerhof.org/hall-of-fame-inductees/hall-of-fame-bios/staci-wilson |title=Staci Wilson |website=VADCSoccerHoF |date=January 31, 2017 |language=en |access-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118225113/http://vadcsoccerhof.org/hall-of-fame-inductees/hall-of-fame-bios/staci-wilson/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Nader Al-Naji, founder ]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sun |first1=Mengqi |title=Founder of Crypto DeFi Project BitClout Arrested, Faces Wire Fraud, SEC Charges |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/founder-of-crypto-defi-project-bitclout-arrested-faces-wire-fraud-sec-charges-d2e86ea2 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=August 6, 2024 |date=July 30, 2024}}</ref>
{{div col end}}


==Notable alumni== == See also ==
* ]
Notable ]i of TJHSST include:
* ]
*] '87 , Neurobiologist<ref>{{cite news|title=Your Color Gives You Away|first=Elise|last=Kleeman|publisher=]|month=June|year=2006|url=http://www.discover.com/issues/jun-06/rd/d-your-color|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>
* ]
*] '90, first woman in Coast Guard history to be awarded the Bronze Star Medal <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A31194-2003Dec3&notFound=true|title=Bearing Reminders of Terror, USS Cole Returns to Action|first=Steve|last=Vogel|publisher=]|date=]|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>
* ]
*] '90, screenwriter, '']''
* ]
*] '91, winner of 1990 ], contestant in 2005 ].
*] '93, Software lead of the first team to ever complete and win the ] in 2005
*] '93, author, ''What Really Happened to the Class of '93 : Start-ups, Dropouts, and Other Navigations Through an Untidy Decade'' (ISBN 0-7679-1479-1), which profiles twenty alumni
*] '94, co-author, '']''. Also co-creator and writer for ABC tv show, "]".
*] '94, co-author, '']''
*] '94, Broadway actor: '']'', '']'', '']'', '']''
*] '94, contestant, ]
*], '94, 2nd place in 1996 ]
*] '94, profiled on the front page of the Marketplace section of the Wall Street Journal in July, 2004<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.careerjournal.com/salaryhiring/industries/realestate/20040720-hagerty.html|title=Fat Rebates Are the Key To This Agent's Success|first=James R.|last=Hagerty|publisher=]|date=]|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>
*] '98, Internationally recognized sculptor
*] '99, deemed the "Laziest Man In America" by the TV show ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib9UUxmcLog|title=Laziest Man In America}}</ref>
*] '99, founder of
*] '02, formerly the youngest ever winner of a ] event
*] '03, referred to as "Macaca" by ] in the ]
*], '04, ] co-creator
*], '04, ] co-creator
*], '04 ] co-creator
*], '04, ] co-creator
*], '04, United States representative in the World Cross Country Championships
*], '05, received media attention for graduating from ] with degrees in ] and ] in only one year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/19/AR2006091901779.html|title=U-Va.'s One-Year Wonder|first=Susan|last=Kinzie|publisher=]|date=2006-09-30|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>


== References ==
(for alumni of Thomas Jefferson High School (open from 1965-1987) see ])
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}


== Further reading ==
==References==
* Lindsey, Drew. "", ''Washingtonian'', October 1, 2009.
<references/>


{{Category commons}}
==External links==
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{{Governor's Schools (Virginia)}} {{Governor's Schools (Virginia)}}
{{AAA Northern Region}} {{AAA Northern Region}}
{{Fairfax County Public Schools}} {{Fairfax County Public Schools}}
{{Fairfax County, Virginia High Schools}}
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Latest revision as of 03:36, 22 December 2024

Magnet high school in Alexandria, Virginia, United States
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Address
6560 Braddock Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22312
United States
Coordinates38°49′06″N 77°10′07″W / 38.81833°N 77.16861°W / 38.81833; -77.16861
Information
School typePublic, magnet high school
Founded1985; 39 years ago (1985)
School districtFairfax County Public Schools
PrincipalAnn Bonitatibus (resigned Oct 2024)
Teaching staff114.00 (FTE) (2022–23)
Grades9–12
GenderCoeducational
Enrollment1,967 (2022–23)
Student to teacher ratio17.25 (2022–23)
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)
  • Red, white, and navy
  •    
Athletics conference
Team nameColonials
AccreditationSACS CASI
USNWR ranking14 (2024)
NewspapertjTODAY
YearbookTechniques
Communities servedNorthern Virginia
Feeder schoolsNorthern Virginia schools
Websitetjhsst.fcps.edu

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (also known as TJHSST, Thomas Jefferson, or TJ) is a Virginia state-chartered magnet high school in Fairfax County, Virginia operated by Fairfax County Public Schools. The school occupies the building of the previous Thomas Jefferson High School, constructed in 1964. A selective admissions program was initiated in 1985 through the cooperation of state and county governments and corporate sponsorship from the defense and technology industries. It is one of 18 Virginia Governor's Schools, and a founding member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology.

Attendance at the school is open to students in six local jurisdictions based on academic achievement described in the Student Portrait Sheet—a compilation of 4 essays, problem-solving skills—assessed by the Problem Solving Essay, an unweighted grade-point average consisting of 7th grade final grades—8th grade first quarter grades—and summer grades, and socio-economic background. Before the 2020–21 school year, the admissions process also involved a math, reading, and science exam.

History

20th century

Thomas Jefferson High School was constructed and opened in 1964. Fairfax County Public Schools' superintendent William J. Burkholder and his staff began working on the idea of a science high school in 1983 with advice from the superintendent's business/advisory council. Burkholder announced the plans for the magnet school in January 1984. The school board chose Thomas Jefferson High School as the location for the new magnet school in June 1984 and approved the funding in February 1985.

The school was originally intended to only serve Fairfax County students, but after Virginia governor Charles S. Robb chose Fairfax County as the location of a regional science and technology school, the school board voted to accept the funding from the state and allow students from Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and from the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church to attend as well. The business community played a significant role in the creation of the school, providing around $3 million in contributions and advice on the school's curriculum. Hazleton Laboratories (now Fortrea), Honeywell, AT&T, Dominion Energy, Sony Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Xerox, and other companies made contributions in equipment or finances to the school before it opened. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology opened in fall 1985 with 400 ninth-graders and 125 seniors who were selected from 1,200 applicants.

21st century

From 2013 to 2017, the school underwent renovations, adding additional research labs, internet cafes, three-dimensional art galleries, a black box theater, and a dome reminiscent of President Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The renovations cost $90 million.

In the 2020s, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) underwent three major controversies regarding its admissions process, intentionally delayed distribution of National Merit awards, and its relationship with Chinese entities. The school replaced its test-based admissions with a holistic review process in 2020, leading to significant demographic changes and legal challenges. Additionally, it was revealed that between 2014 and 2021, the school's Partnership Fund had received $3.6 million from Chinese Communist Party-linked entities in exchange for the school's intellectual property and curriculum. Amidst these controversies, Principal Ann Bonitatibus resigned in October 2024; she stated in an email to parents that she had "pursued and accepted" a "promotion" to the Fairfax County Public Schools' Human Resources department, which drew widespread skepticism.

Admissions

Admission statistics
Year Applicants Admits Admit rate
2012 3,423 480 14.0%
2013 3,121 480 15.4%
2014 2,900 487 16.8%
2015 2,841 493 17.4%
2016 2,868 483 16.8%
2017 2,902 490 16.9%
2018 3,160 485 15.3%
2019 2,766 494 17.9%
2020 2,539 486 19.1%
2021 3,034 550 18.1%
2022 2,544 550 21.6%

The school is part of the Fairfax County Public Schools system of Fairfax County, Virginia. Students from Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and from the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church are eligible for admission. Students must be enrolled in Algebra 1 or a higher level math class in 8th grade and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 to be eligible.

The admissions process is based on grade point average, a math or science related problem solving essay, a student portrait sheet demonstrating skills and character, and details about a student's socio-economic background including whether they are economically disadvantaged, a special education student, or an English language learner. Each public school is allocated a number of seats equal to 1.5% of that school's 8th grade student population; the remaining seats are unallocated and offered to the highest evaluated remaining students. During the admissions process, students are identified only by a number; admissions officers do not know their race, ethnicity, sex, or name.

Before the 2020–21 school year, the admissions process also included a math, reading, and science exam.

Demographics and exam controversy

Data are based on the 2020-2021, 2019-2020 and 2018-2019 academic years.
Race and ethnicity Total
Asian 72.0% 72 
White 18.3% 18.3 
Two or more Races 4.8% 4.8 
Hispanic 3.0%
Black 1.8% 1.8 
American Indian/Alaska Native 0.1% 0.1 
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.1% 0.1 
Sex Total
Male 59% 59 
Female 41% 41 
See also: Coalition for TJ v. Fairfax County School Board

The admissions process and the demographics of the student body it produces, in particular the under-representation of black and Hispanic students relative to the school system overall, have been a source of controversy throughout the school's history.

After the school's early graduating classes included relatively few black and Hispanic students, FCPS created a race-based affirmative action program to admit more black and Hispanic students. The program was in effect for the admissions process for the graduating classes of 1997 through 2002; the county ended it because of legal challenges to similar programs. Following the end of this program, the share of black and Hispanic students at the school decreased from 9.4 percent in 1997–98 to 3.5 percent in 2003–04. Black and Hispanic students remained significantly under-represented at the school through the 2000s and 2010s.

In 2012, a civil rights complaint against the school was filed with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights by Coalition of the Silence, an advocacy group led by former county School Board member Tina Hone, and the Fairfax chapter of the NAACP, alleging that it discriminated against black, Hispanic, and disabled students. In response, the Office of Civil Rights, in September 2012, opened an investigation.

In 2020, the school board made a number of significant changes to the admissions process meant to increase the ratio of black and Hispanic students admitted. These included the elimination of the application fee; the increase of the number of admitted students from around 480 to 550; the elimination of an entrance exam; the allocation of seats to each middle school equal to 1.5% of their 8th grade student population; and the addition of "experience factors" including whether students are economically disadvantaged, English language learners, or special education students. Following these changes, the proportion of black and Hispanic students admitted increased from 4.52% to 18.36% while the proportion of Asian Americans decreased from 73.05% to 54.36%. The proportion of female students admitted also increased, from 41.80% to 46.00%, and to 55.45% the next year.

In March 2021, the Coalition for TJ, an advocacy group opposed to the changes and represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation, sued the Fairfax County school board, alleging that the 2020 changes to the admissions process discriminated against Asian Americans. In February 2022, judge Claude M. Hilton of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled in Coalition for TJ v. Fairfax County School Board in the Coalition for TJ's favor and ordered the school to return to the previous admissions process. The school board appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and in March 2022 that court issued a stay on the order that allowed the school to continue the new admissions process while the case was pending. The Supreme Court of the United States rejected a request to vacate the stay in April 2022. The case was heard in the court of appeals on September 16, 2022, and decided on May 23, 2023. The Fourth Circuit, by a 2 to 1 vote, reversed the district court and restored the new admission plan. The Fourth Circuit's decision was appealed to the Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court rejected to review the case on February 20, 2024 with Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito dissenting from the denial.

Curriculum

TJ's curriculum is focused on college preparation and provides students with the opportunity to achieve in all disciplines, with an emphasis on science and technology.

TJ3Sat and TJREVERB projects

The Systems Engineering Course designed and built a CubeSat which was launched on November 19, 2013, from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Orbital Sciences Corporation donated the CubeSat Kit to the school on December 6, 2006, and provided the launch for the satellite. After a successful launch at 8:15PM EST, TJSAT became the first satellite launched into space that was built by high school students. The launched satellite contained a 4-watt transmitter operating on amateur radio frequencies, and a text-to-speech module to allow it to broadcast ASCII-encoded messages sent to it from Jefferson.

TJREVERB, a 2U CubeSat, is the school's second CubeSat mission. After a 6-year period of planning, building, and testing from 2016 to 2022 that was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, REVERB was launched aboard SpaceX's CRS-26 on November 26, 2022, at 2:20PM EST. REVERB was deployed from the International Space Station on December 29, 2022, via Nanoracks. The satellite is being located through crowdsourcing, with help from AMSAT. It will test the Iridium satellite radio and connect to the students' ground station through email.

Computer Systems Lab

The school's computer systems lab is one of the few high school computing facilities with a supercomputer. In 1988, a team from the school won an ETA-10P supercomputer in the SuperQuest competition, a national science competition for high school students. The ETA-10P was damaged by a roof leak in the 1990s. Cray Inc. donated a new SV1 supercomputer, known as Seymour, to the school on December 4, 2002, which is on display as of 2024.

The lab also supported a number of Sun Microsystems thin clients for use by students enrolled in AP Computer Science. In 2008, the school received a grant from Sun Microsystems for $388,048, which was student-written. The Syslab was given 7 Sun workstations, 12 Sun servers, and 145 Sun Rays for distribution throughout the school. These were placed in the existing AP Computer Science Lab and the science classrooms, support backend services, and serve as kiosks placed around the school for guests, students, and faculty. However, the Sun Rays were taken out of the AP Computer Science Lab due to teachers' objections. By 2014, the Sun Ray clients were decommissioned, and replaced with Linux-based thin clients running LTSP.

Awards and recognition

In 2021 and 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked TJ as the best overall high school in the United States. It was previously ranked fourth in 2020, tenth in 2019, and sixth in 2018. In 2016, the school placed first in Newsweek's annual "America's Top High Schools" rankings for the third consecutive year. The average SAT score for the graduating class of 2020 was 1528 and the average ACT score was 34.5.

The school had 14 Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalists in 2007, 15 in 2009, and 13 in 2010. In 2024, 7 were named.

In 2007, for schools with more than 800 students in grades 10–12, TJ was cited as having the highest-performing AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP French Language, AP Government and Politics, U.S., and AP U.S. History courses among all schools worldwide. In 2014, 3864 AP Exams were taken by students; over 97% earned a score of 3, 4, or 5.

President Barack Obama signed the America Invents Act into law on September 16, 2011, at the school. The law was made to reform U.S. patent laws.

In 1997, 2000, 2013, and 2017, the wind ensemble of the school was among fifteen high-school bands invited to the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis.

Merit award controversy

In December 2022, it was reported that during the previous five years, some students at the school who had been named National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholars had not been notified of their achievement until several months after the school was given the awards to distribute to the students, too late for the students to include with their college applications. A lawyer named Shawnna Yashar, whose son was one of the students at the school whose commendation information had not been reported by the school, said, "Keeping these certificates from students is theft by the state." School officials stated that the issue was a "one-time human error."This led to an investigation of 17 Virginia schools and prompted Governor Glenn Youngkin to propose legislation mandating immediate notification of such opportunities to parents and students.

Notable alumni

See also

References

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Further reading

Virginia Governor's Schools
Virginia High School League AAA Northern Region
Concorde District
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Fairfax County Public Schools
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Education in Fairfax County, Virginia
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