Thomas Jefferson High School

3950 South Holly Street

School District

Denver County 1
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Denver County 1 School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 12, 2023

A great school; overall it’s really good
Submitted by other on December 17, 2021

Horrible school, they do not deal with student punishments fairly and sweep serious matters under the rug to better their rep.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2021

In this pandemic year, I think TJ has done as well as can be expected. Our daughter is a freshman and enjoys all of her teachers, at this point she goes in person 2 days per week. She has also gotten involved in sports and has made some very nice friends to start. Overall, good teachers, good families, good school.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2020

Awful. From Day 1 TJ has made my son feel like an afterthought. From having to run around in circles just to get him transferred, to his councilor ignoring repeated requests to continue with concurrent enrollment classes he was doing well in (which took me finally yelling at his councilor after watching multiple polite emails go by with her just refusing to do anything), to now having to ask why he’s being left off Senior activities, TJ has been a massive disappointment at best. At worst, it’s leaving my previously engaged and happy teenager feeling isolated and unwanted at school and disinterested in going to class. He makes comments daily at this point how frustrating it is to answer the few questions he has and ‘just get this damn senior year over with’. Transferring in to TJ is my single biggest regret as a parent. I will absolutely avoid it at all costs for my daughters.
Submitted by other on May 03, 2017

I substitute taught at Thomas Hefferson High School for 2.5 years from August 2014-December 2016. I subbed at many other schools in DPS and by far this school had the most involved administration. The principals are in the halls, don't hidden away behind a desk. They have an excellent computer science and robotics program. I only left to pursue a full time position, but miss the students and staff immensely. I would have no reservations sending my children to TJH.
Submitted by other on January 26, 2017

All 3 of my boys attend TJ, and are having an amazing high school experience with a broad range of academic programs, extracurricular activities and sports. A great part of the community!
Submitted by other on August 05, 2016

TJ has a strong history of academics and athletics. It is a small school but competes well above its class. The programs are second to none in the state.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2015

We've had several kids attend Thomas Jefferson over the last 10 years and there has definitely been a swing from bad to good...almost great over the last few years. One thing that has never been missed is the dedication that teachers show toward their kids. My kids have even maintained a relationship with many of the teachers after graduating from college. Of the Denver Public Schools, TJ is by far the best in my opinion.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2015

This is a great school tucked away in a cluster of great neighborhoods in a great part of Denver. While no school is perfect, this school is one that is committed to being better and evolving in every way. In the past three years, TJ has grown by leaps and bounds as administrators, teachers and parents have come together to restore the prestige the school has had in the community since 1960. This is evidenced, for example, by the highest growth in AP test scores in the district, some of the highest testing Geometry students in the area, and some of the highest AP Biology scores in the country. Many of TJ's teachers are also alumni themselves, contributing to its strong sense of family. More than 61% of neighborhood kids chose TJ over all the other options available to them this year. In addition to a commitment to being a well-rounded, classic high school experience, TJ also has the award-winning Center for Communication and Technology (CCT) with its journalism/design/production or electronics/robotics/programming tracks. It's also strongly committed to career and college readiness. Students can earn college credits through the CCT program, AP classes, CLEP tests and more. This is a school that is all about participation. As a just-right sized school, students are known by name, supported and held accountable for their success. They are encouraged to self advocate, to stretch and challenge themselves. TJ is a school that is both large enough and small enough. Large enough to enjoy a variety of great electives, competitive sports/programs, and the diversity that contributes to being successful wherever in the world they may go. It's small enough to get to participate in the teams and activities they love. My student is a sophomore and loves the challenge of her honors and AP classes (well, at least a majority of the time!). She plays competitive volleyball and has really enjoyed their incredible new coach. The friends she's made at TJ are solid, great to be around. And as a parent, I know I am making a difference in my neighborhood, helping other parents, neighbors and TJ's staff to ensure this school is a top high school in Denver for decades to come.
Submitted by other on September 19, 2015

I just retired from the Navy and move to this fine city. I grew up in the south so I love Friday night football. I went to a game on 18 Sep. 2015 and was mortified by the actions of a couple of coaches and lack of action by the rest of the coaching staff. The boys on the field in the last remaining second violated a known and long standing understand that when the other team is kneeling the ball you do not go in full speed like you normally would. They did this not once but twice. The second time they were flagged for un sportsman like conduct. This led to a coach charging the fields and having to be restrained by another coach and even a couple of the boys on the side lines. These actions while not immediately address by the AD or head coach I find highly disturbing. I notice this mentality as if this happen a lot with this team. These boys need leaders that will produce fine young men. This is not what they are getting from this football program. Shame on all of you who do nothing to correct this obvious problem.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

My son has been going to Thomas Jefferson since he was a Freshman and he loves it. His grades have never been better in his life because he likes being there so much and wants to do well in his classes. I don't know how they do it, but they definitely have what it takes to help my son succeed.
Submitted by student on May 26, 2013

As a former student, there is only one thing I would like to communicate to other students considering TJ: DO NOT COME HERE. This school's teachers do not respect or encourage students, the administration is only concerned with sidestepping rules to get graduation rates up, and the students are the least motivated kids you will find in Denver. Even if you have the drive to enhance the school or become involved, the teachers and school will squash your ambitions since they assume you're like every other unmotivated D student. Don't let any websites or mailings fool you, this school is the least academic building in the state. Do not come here.
Submitted by student on September 25, 2012

Best high school in Denver. Great all around experience and well rounded education. The school has a great history in athletics and academics.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2011

TJ has been a really great choice for my 9th grader. In addition to an excellent professional computer/journalism program, that you won't find anywhere else, there are honors and AP offerings for every subject. The honors/AP classes are challenging,even for kids coming from IPM or HGT programs. The teachers and administration treat the students with respect and like young adults. Most of the students respond well to this and so there is a relaxed learning atmosphere of mutual respect. The principal is very down to earth and doesn't sweat the small stuff. She actually seems to enjoy being around the students..even the boys! And the cool thing is watching all these kids of different ethnicities and backgrounds getting along so well. We could all learn something from them. Oh...also great sports, theater and lots of other clubs and extras!
Submitted by student on February 28, 2011

I enrolled at TJ for the second semester of my junior year since I had recently moved in to the area. I had previously attended GW.My first day there was terrible simply because my counselor was never happy to help me.My teachers never bothered to welcome me or give me the information I needed in order to be successful in their class.A couple of weeks later my grades began to suffer due to the lack of support from my teachers.When I felt the need to talk to a counselor for help I asked other students which counselor they recommended and everyone let me know that students never go to the counselors but instead go to the asst. principal for support.I couldn't believe that the counselors at TJ were so unpopular, knowing that at GW I needed my counselor weekly to get help with my grades and preparing for college.About a week later I found myself back at GW.Although TJ was at a much more convenient distance it was not worth the potential for failure that I had there.Overall, my experience at TJ was terrible and I would definitely recommend that if possible you avoid this school if you want your student to have all the support necessary for success in high school and in college.