Thomas Jefferson High School (Federal Way, Washington)

Infobox_School
name = Thomas Jefferson High School
established = 1968
type = High school
district = Federal Way School District
grades = 9-12
principal = Dr. Mark Marshall
enrollment = 3,200
colors = Red and Gold
mascot = Raider
location = 4248 S 288th ST,Auburn, WA 98001
information = 253-945-5600 (Main)253-945-5656 (FAX)
website = http://www.fwps.org/tj/

Thomas Jefferson High School is located in Auburn, Washington. It is the largest enrolled High Schools in the district and one of the largest in the State of Washington.The school is a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools, which means that the staff has adopted ten principles that are believed to be crucial to all students achieving at their highest level. The schools that feed into Jefferson are Kilo Middle School and Totem Middle School. Thomas Jefferson is academically strong. Thomas Jefferson also has one of the best emergency preparedness drills in the state; each October the Emergency Response Club sponsors a Mass Casualty Incident Drill that simulates a shallow 7.2 magnitude earthquake and simulates trapping over 35 students and staff members in 12 separate buildings.

Programs

Many academic programs are available at Thomas Jefferson.

Raiderlinks

TJ’s Raiderlinks laptop program continues to build on its reputation as a 1997 Computer World Smithsonian Award for Excellence winner. Raiderlinks is a rigorous, interdisciplinary program that prepares students for their preferred career path. Raiderlinks is aligned with the Washington Assessment for Student Learning (WASL) and Federal Way Public Schools’ literacy goals. Recent graduates have gained entrance to prestigious universities, art schools, community colleges, and technical schools and have been hired by corporations. Raiderlinks is committed to the concept of personalizing one's education and developing a rich learning community that represents the diversity of our nation and community.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate Program, a two-year program that requires students to challenge themselves at a high academic level, is an option for all students. The program can be a full-diploma choice or an option for earning certificates in specific subjects in which a student wishes to excel. The assessments are sent to external assessors, assuring that student work conforms to “world-class” standards.

CAPP

The Construction Apprenticeship Preparation Program (CAPP) is an integrated 4-year program for students interested in careers and apprenticeships in the construction industry. Construction, Language Arts and Math instructors team to take students through the four-year curriculum. Free college credit is available to enrolled students.

Running Start

Students wishing to participate in the Running Start program have dual enrollment at either Highline Community College or Green River Community College. Students may attend classes at either college (but not both) and can attend classes either full time or part time. Students must provide their own transportation.

Puget Sound Skills Center

Students can get vocational training at the Puget Sound Skills Center, formerly known as Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center.

Math Team

Since 1993, the Thomas Jefferson "Mathletes" have won many state Mu Alpha Theta titles as well placing in the Top 10 in national Mu Alpha Theta conventions for the last 11 years. Many students have won individual championships at Mu Alpha Theta.

Several students have participated in other prestigious competitions such as the USAMO or ARML, recently Zach Bunting and Young Jeong.

Fight Song

The fight song for Thomas Jefferson High School is as follows:

"Go Raiders Go

For Jefferson We're Proud to Fight

Bring on the Foe

And We Will Fight With All Our Might

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

Our Team's On Top

That's Where We Always Strive to Be

No Invader Beats a Raider

We Will Carry on To Victory

R-A-I-D-E-R"

"Raider Yell:"

"RAIDERS! TJ!

RAIDERS! TJ!

WHERE YA FROM?! TJ!

WHERE YA FROM?! TJ!

DO YA LIKE IT?! HECK YEA!

DO YA LIKE IT?! HECK YEA!

GIMME ONE! UH!

GIMME TWO! UH UH!

GIMME THREE! UH UH UH!"

cheduling

Thomas Jefferson High School has an innovative modified six-period daily schedule that allows for more personalization, greater access to electives, and extended instructional time. In each five day week, two days allow equal time for all six classes. On the remaining three days, two classes are not in session to allow the other four greater time. On these days, the schedule is rotated so each class provides the same amount of time each week.

Athletics

Jefferson is in the SPSL (South Puget Sound League) for sports, which is one of the largest 4A sports leagues in the state, and one of the largest in the northwest United States. It recently won the 2005 Boys' Soccer State Championship, and the girls' team made it to the state championships but lost in the preliminary round [http://www.wiaa.com/history] . Thomas Jefferson enjoys good athletic results in all sports and has finished 4th (in 2004) 2nd (in 2005) and 3rd (in 2006) for the SPSL all sports trophy, given to the school with the most success through each sport put together [http://www.spsl.org/standings/allsportstrophy.htm] .

Notable Alumni

*Bryan Pittman- Football player for the Houston Texans in the NFL.
*James Sun - president of Zoodango, Donald Trump's show The Apprentice participant.
*Josie Bissett - Actress, most notably in Melrose Place. Dropped out as a Junior.
*Kenny Mayne - Sports personality, most notably on Sportscenter.
*Wade Webber - Professional soccer player with the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders and the Dallas Burn and Miami Fusion of Major League Soccer (MLS) Now an IB history teacher at TJ.

External links

* [http://schools.fwps.org/tj/ Official homepage]
* [http://www.fwps.org/info/schools/profiles/senior/tj.html School Profile]