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|url = https://www.tjhsst.edu/abouttj/schoolprofile/docs/2014-15TJHSST%20Profile.pdf
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{{COI|date=April 2017}}
{{advert|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox school {{Infobox school
| name = Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology | name = Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
| image = tjlogo.png | logo = tjlogo.png
| streetaddress = 6560 Braddock Road | streetaddress = 6560 Braddock Road
| city = ] | city = ]
| state = ] | state = Virginia<!-- do not link per MOS:GEOLINK -->
| zipcode = 22312 | zipcode = 22312
| schooltype = ] ] | country = United States
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{Coord|38|49|06|N|77|10|07|W|type:edu_region:US|display=inline,title}}}}
| fundingtype = ]
| schooltype = ] ]
| founded = 1985
| district = ] | fundingtype = ]
| established =
| principal = Evan Glazer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tjhsst.edu/abouttj/administration/index.html |title=Administration |publisher=TJHSST |accessdate=2014-03-16}}</ref>
| staff = approximately 106 full-time staff | founded = {{Start date and age|1985}}
| grades = 9–12 | district = ]
| principal = Michael Mukai (starting January 2025)
| conference = ]<br />]
| teaching_staff = 120.23 (]) (2023–24)<ref name=NCES/>
| team_name = Colonials
| ratio = 16.78 (2023–24)<ref name=NCES/>
| 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.|accessdate=16 March 2015}}</ref>
| SAT = 2198 | grades = 9–12
| SAT_year = 2016 | gender = ]
| enrollment = 2,015 (2023–24)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?ID=510126002034|title=Thomas Jefferson High For Science And Technology|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|accessdate=January 1, 2025}}</ref>
| ACT =
| conference = {{ubl | ] | ]}}
| ACT_year =
| team_name = Colonials
| newspaper =
| 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>
| yearbook = Techniques<ref>{{cite web|title=Publications|url=http://www.tjhsst.edu/students/publications/|publisher=TJHSST}}</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>
| communities = ]
| graduates = 99% | yearbook = Techniques
| imagesize = 200px | communities = ]
| website = {{URL|tjhsst.fcps.edu}}
| pushpin_map = USA Virginia Northern#USA Virginia#USA
| 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>
| url = {{url|tjhsst.edu}}
| feeders = ] schools | feeders = ] schools
| campus = Suburban | campus_type = ]an
| colors = Red, white, and navy<br />{{Color box|red|border=darkgray}} {{Color box|white|border=darkgray}} {{Color box|navy|border=darkgray}} | colors = {{Ubl | Red, white, and navy | {{Color box|red|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|white|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|navy|border=darkgray}}}}
| enrollment = 1,792
| enrollment_as_of = 2016–2017
| free_label = Acceptance rate
| free_text = 14–18%
}} }}
'''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>
'''Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology''' (also known as '''TJHSST''', '''TJ''', or '''Jefferson''') is a ] state-chartered ] located within ]. It is a regional high school operated by ] (FCPS).


== History ==
As a publicly funded and administered high school with a selective admission process, TJHSST is often compared with notable public ]s, although it discontinued non-application based admission after the class of 1988. Attendance at TJHSST is open to students in six local jurisdictions based on an admissions test, prior academic achievement, recommendations, and essays. The selective admissions program was initiated in 1985 through the cooperation of state and county governments, as well as corporate sponsorship from the defense and technology industries. TJHSST occupies the building of the previously FCPS non-selective ] (constructed in 1965). TJHSST is one of 18 Virginia ], and a founding member of the ]. In 2016, TJHSST placed first in Newsweek's annual "America's Top High Schools" rankings<ref>{{cite web|title=America's Top High Schools|url=http://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-high-schools-2016}}</ref> for the third consecutive year and fifth in ]'s 2016 High School Rankings.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Rankings Best High Schools|url=http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings|publisher=]|accessdate=December 3, 2016}}</ref>
===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 />
== Students ==


===21st century===
The acceptance rate at the school is low, at approximately 15 percent.{{cn}} There were 1,792 students enrolled for the 2016–2017 school year.{{cn}} Students of Asian origin constituted around 60% of the student population in 2013–14.<ref name=profiledemographics>{{cite web|url=http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:13:2885830982132833::::P0_CURRENT_SCHOOL_ID:300|title=FCPS – School Profiles – Thomas Jefferson HS – Demographics|accessdate=2015-03-16}}</ref> ] and ] people make up less than four percent of students, while the same groups constitute about thirty percent of the student population in the area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/30/AR2010103003460.html |title=Black, Hispanic students dwindle at elite Va. public school |publisher=Washingtonpost.com |accessdate=2011-02-14 |date=October 30, 2010}}</ref>
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>
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 ].<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|publisher=The Huffington Post|accessdate=16 March 2015|date=24 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Turley|first=Jonathan|title=Thomas Jefferson High School Sued Over Minority Admissions|url=http://jonathanturley.org/2012/07/27/thomas-jefferson-high-school-sued-over-minority-admissions/|accessdate=14 January 2014}}</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. 11-12-1503
| date = 2012-09-25
| type = typescript
| url = http://coalitionofthesilence.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/cp-tj-notif-letter-pdf.pdf
| accessdate = 2014-01-14
}}</ref>


== Admissions ==
=== Participating localities ===
{| class="wikitable floatright"
While TJHSST is operated by the ] system (which serves residents of Fairfax County and the ]), residents of ], ], and ] counties, as well as the City of ], also apply to attend the school. A particular number of admission slots is 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, although a subsequent vote (5–4) in September 2006 rescinded that earlier decision. Each school district shares in the cost of operating the school. The ] of ] and ], although surrounded by Prince William County, have declined to fund spaces for their students. Fauquier County no longer provides admission to the school for its students.<ref>{{cite web|title=TJHSST Eligibility Freshman Winter Residency Requirements|url=http://www.fcps.edu/pla/TJHSST_Admissions/eligibility_freshman_winter_residency.html|website=TJHSST Admissions|accessdate=1 May 2016}}</ref>
|+ 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 />
== Curriculum ==
{{refimprove section|date=September 2016}}
TJHSST offers an extensive mathematics and science curriculum, including courses in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] science, ], ], and ]. The school also offers a rigorous mathematics program, offering courses such as ], ], ], ], ], and ]. All courses at TJHSST are taught at the Honors, ], or post-Advanced Placement level. All students are required to complete ] (] or ]), in addition to either ] or ] and ], before graduation. All students are required to complete an introductory ] or an accelerated introductory ] computer science course before their junior year, or, subject to a placement test, an ] computer science class.


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>
The school also offers a strong humanities and foreign language curriculum. Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), and Russian are taught in addition to the more traditional German, French, Spanish, and Latin. Every other year, students from Russia visit TJHSST. In 2013, the language department celebrated the twenty-year anniversary of its sister school relationship with ] High School, a Japanese high school famous for its baseball program. Each year in March, ten exchange students and one teacher come to spend a month in the US. TJHSST students are given the opportunity to reciprocate during the summer with the school's Chiben Summer Program.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://leadership.tjhsst.edu/ptsa/documents/techcetera-2005-2006/Techcetera2006_April.pdf#page=6
| title = Tech Cetera April 2006, p. 6
| accessdate = 2007-10-07}}</ref>


Before the 2020–21 school year, the admissions process also included a math, reading, and science exam.<ref name= Natanson />
TJHSST 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 (Design and Technology; formerly Principles of Engineering and Technology) stresses drafting, CAD, programming, and basic electronics skills. Students will form a group of four, known as an "IBET group," and the group will work on an year-long project with a presentation at the end of the school year. Integrated humanities courses are offered in 10th and 11th grade, known as HUM 1 and HUM 2, respectively. An option to integrate Chemistry into 10th grade humanities, similar to IBET, is available as the "CHUM" concept. Seniors will chose between integrated course curriculums known as Global Studies and Senior Seminar. The former combines AP English Language and Composition with AP United States Government and Politics, and the latter combines AP English Literature and Composition with AP United States Government and Politics. There is also the option to not participate in any integrated courses as a senior.


===Demographics and exam controversy===
All students attending TJHSST must pursue a special TJ Diploma. The TJ Diploma requirements duplicate those of the Virginia 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=October 8, 2006}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible floatright"; style="text-align:right"
=== Research Labs ===
|+ style="font-size:90%" |''Data are based on the 2020-2021, 2019-2020 and 2018-2019 academic years.''<ref name=usnews />
{{refimprove section|date=December 2016}}
|-
Seniors must participate in the Senior Technology Laboratory Research program, which consists of a year-long research project or an off-campus mentorship through one of the school's research labs. These labs are devoted to numerous fields, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Recently, labs have been introduced devoted to ] and ] and ] apps.<ref>{{cite web|title=Research Labs|url=https://www.tjhsst.edu/research-academics/research-labs/index.html|accessdate=16 March 2015}}</ref> The complete list of the 14 research labs that TJHSST offers is:
! 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}}
# Astronomy and Astrophysics Research
# Automation and Robotics Research
# Chemical Analysis and Nanochemistry Research
# Communication Systems Research
# Computer Systems Research
# Energy Systems Research
# Engineering Design Research
# Life Sciences and Biotechnology Research
# Microelectronics Research
# Mobile and Web Application Development Research
# Neuroscience Research
# Oceanography and Geophysical Systems Research
# Quantum Physics and Optics Research
# Prototyping and Engineering Materials Research


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.
There was formerly some debate over the inclusion of the Video Technology Lab, responsible among other things for producing the school's video morning announcement program. It was ultimately decided that the Video Technology Lab would be closed, despite an active letter writing campaign by students to the Board of Education.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} However, a similar lab taught by the same teacher, the Communications Systems Lab, was introduced for the 2009 school year.


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>
In 2014, the Jefferson Underclassmen Multidiscipline Project (JUMP) lab was introduced to allow freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to conduct research projects at TJ.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jefferson Underclassmen Multidiscipline Project (JUMP) Lab|url=https://www.tjhsst.edu/research-academics/research-labs/labs/jump.html|accessdate=16 March 2015}}</ref>


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>
=== Accreditation ===
The ] Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which is an accreditation division of ] and the ] for secondary schools in the region including Virginia, has accredited TJHSST since the magnet program was founded in 1985.<ref name="AdvancED" />


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 />
== Awards and distinctions ==
Each year, about one-sixth of its graduating class accepts admission to the ]. The other major schools attended by graduates are the ], ], ], ], and ] in that order. Other graduates attend ] schools and high-ranking public and private schools across the nation, including the ], ], the ], ], and the ]. Approximately one-eighth of the class is admitted into an ] institution.


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>
In 2016, TJHSST placed first in Newsweek's annual "America's Top High Schools" rankings for the third consecutive year. Previously, it ranked 8th in the 2013 rankings and 10th in the 2012 rankings, the first year it was included. TJHSST was ranked No. 1 among "America's Best High Schools" in a study by ] from 2007 to 2010{{cn|date=December 2016}}. In the same rankings, it placed fifth in 2016, third in 2015, fourth in 2014 and 2013, and second in 2012 and 2011. The average SAT scores for various graduating classes has consistently been above 2150.<ref name =Classof2007>{{cite web|url=http://www.usnews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2007/11/29/shooting-for-the-academic-stars|title=Shooting for the Academic Stars|publisher=}}</ref><ref name = Classof2012>{{cite web|url=http://mag.newsweek.com/2013/05/06/america-s-best-high-schools.html|title=2013 America's Best High Schools|publisher=}}</ref><ref name = Classof2014>https://www.tjhsst.edu/abouttj/schoolprofile/docs/2014-15TJHSST%20Profile.pdf</ref><ref name=Classof2015>https://fcps.tjhsst.edu/coursemgmt/media/300/resource/TJ%20Profile%202015-16%20online%20hq.pdf</ref>


==Curriculum==
In 2007, TJHSST had more Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalists (14) than any other school.<ref></ref> TJHSST repeated this feat in 2009 with 15 semifinalists and in 2010 with 13 semifinalists.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317000054/http://www.societyforscience.org/sts/68sts/winners.asp |date=March 17, 2009 }}</ref>
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>


=== TJ3Sat and TJREVERB projects ===
In 2007, for schools with more than 800 students in grades 10–12, TJHSST 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>http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/about/news_info/ap/2007/2007_ap-report-nation.pdf</ref> In 2014, 3864 AP Exams were taken by TJHSST students; over 97% earned a score of 3, 4, or 5.
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.
In addition, eight ] have graduated from TJHSST since its inception, more than the number of Rhodes Scholars from most colleges in the United States.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

President ] signed the ] into law on September 16, 2011 at TJHSST. The law was made to reform ].<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/09/16/america-invents-act-turning-ideas-jobs|title = The America Invents Act: Turning Ideas into Jobs|date = September 16, 2011|accessdate = July 4, 2015|website = The White House|publisher = The White House Blog|last = Palfrey|first = Quentin}}</ref>

== Recent developments ==

===Renovation===
The school is currently undergoing a major renovation, which should be completed by the end of April 2017. The renovation cost of about $89 million includes $67.4 million for construction, plus other costs related to permits, design fees, utilities and equipment. A replica of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello dome graces the school’s entrance, colloquially known as "The Dome" by students and staff.<ref name="TJ Renovation Info">{{cite web| url=http://www.tjhsst.edu/renovation/renovation.php |title=TJ Renovation Info |accessdate=2013-05-18}}</ref><ref name="TJHSST Renovation Plans">{{cite web| url=http://www.tjhsst.edu/supportingtj/ptsa/comm-bldg-init.htm| title=TJHSST PTSA Building Initiative Committee |accessdate=2012-09-23}}</ref> The renovation overhauls the school's aging facilities, many of which had not been updated since the school was built in 1964.<ref name="TJHSST Plans for Major Expansion">{{cite web| url=http://annandale.patch.com/articles/thomas-jefferson-high-school-plans-for-major-expansion| title=TJHSST Plans for Major Expansion|date=26 September 2011|first1=Monica|last1=Boland|accessdate=2015-03-16}}</ref>

=== TJ<sup>3</sup>Sat project ===
TJHSST 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, 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 |authorlink2=Alex Massie (Journalist) |date=October 8, 2006|accessdate=October 8, 2006}}</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.

=== Embezzlement Case ===
TJHSST employee Susan Thanh Litwin of ] embezzled more than $279,000 from the school between about March 2008 and January 2010. Working as a finance technician and using her signature authority, she was able to transfer funds that were intended for school use into her personal accounts, which she then used to support a gambling addiction. She was arrested on March 5, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://criminal-justice-online.blogspot.com/2010/03/thomas-jefferson-high-school-employee.html|title=Criminal Justice Online|accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> She pleaded guilty to the charges on May 6, 2010<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/06/AR2010050603429.html|title=Former T.J. High official pleads guilty to embezzlement|author=Michael Alison Chandler|accessdate=January 12, 2011|work=The Washington Post|date=May 7, 2010}}</ref> and was sentenced to 15 months in prison on August 13, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/cms/story.php?id=2006|title=Thomas Jefferson High School employee sentenced for embezzlement|date=August 18, 2010|accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref>

== School features and activities ==
The current hybrid class schedule allows seven periods to meet on Mondays, with "block scheduling" (four classes per day) the rest of the week. Though no formal academic classes are offered during eighth period, it is a required part of a school day. Wednesday and Friday's eighth periods are devoted to study halls, clubs, athletic teams, and other extracurricular activities. The eighth period is possible with TJHSST's school day, which is longer than other FCPS high schools'. As a magnet school, students may live more than an hour away, making staying after school a challenge. (An elaborate school bus network provides all students with free transportation. All participating jurisdictions are responsible for transportation of their own students.) Every Monday, lunch runs at 70 minutes instead of the usual 40, allowing for teacher collaboration and conferences, known as .


=== Computer Systems Lab === === Computer Systems Lab ===
].]] <!-- Deleted image removed: ].{{ffdc|1=Syslablogol.png|log=2021 July 28}}]] -->
The Computer Systems Lab<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tjhsst.edu/admin/ |title=Computer Systems Lab |publisher=Tjhsst.edu |accessdate=2011-02-14}}</ref> (CSL, often shortened to "syslab") at TJHSST is one of the rare high school computing facilities with a ]. In 1988, a team from the school won an ]P supercomputer in the ] competition, a national science competition for high school students.<ref>{{cite web|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}}</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.<ref name="TJHSST Old News">{{cite web|url = http://www.tjhsst.edu/news/archive.html|title = TJHSST Old News|accessdate = March 27, 2007}}</ref> 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 ''Parallel Computing'' (formerly ''Supercomputer Applications''). As the Cray's computing power has been dwarfed over the past decade, the CSL now operates several server clusters for Parallel Computing and student research projects. 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>
One of the aspects of this lab is student involvement. Since the early 1990s, designated student ]s (often referred to as "sysadmins") have maintained the lab's workstations and servers, including the upkeep of the school's E-mail, web site, and ], among other services. The syslab is currently running ] on most of the CSL resources. 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. A system administrator understudy program is in place in order to train aspiring sysadmins. Understudies learn common tasks such as workstation maintenance and ] installation, as well as CSL-specific administration procedures.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}


== Awards and recognition ==
==== Intranet ====
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>
One project developed in the "syslab" was the TJHSST Intranet. This large web application was an early venture into ], and is known for bringing ], the original creator of PHP, 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 the mid-2000s, the Intranet2 ("Iodine") project was developed in order to redesign and reimplement the Intranet system with ] and modern versions of PHP in mind. It was released on May 18, 2006, but was continuously improved by students over the next decade.


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>
In 2013, several Sysadmins began a ] rewrite of the Intranet application (codenamed "Ion") using the ] and responsive web techniques. It replaced Intranet2 in November 2015 and, like previous versions of the TJHSST Intranet, will continue to be developed indefinitely as a student-run project of the Computer Systems Lab.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ion.tjhsst.edu/about |title=Intranet3 About Page |publisher=TJHSST Computer Systems Lab |accessdate=2015-11-30}}</ref>


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.
==== Thin clients ====
The lab also supported a number of ] thin clients for use by students enrolled in AP Computer Science. In 2008, TJHSST was awarded a grant from Sun Microsystems for $388,048, which was student-written.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tjhsst.edu/admin/livedoc/index.php/Sun_Academic_Excellence_Grant_%28AEG%29 |title=grant from Sun Microsystems for $388,048 |publisher=Tjhsst.edu |accessdate=2011-02-14}}</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|accessdate=February 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sun.com/aboutsun/csr/report2008/citizenship/edu_performance.jsp|title=Sun Microsystems 2008 Corporate Social Responsibility Report|accessdate=May 16, 2009}}</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|accessdate=May 16, 2009}}</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|accessdate=May 16, 2009}}</ref>


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>
=== Performing arts ===
{{Refimprove section|date=November 2014}}
The drama program has performed three major plays each year. One of these productions is entered as a ] show in the National Capital Area chapter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arts.tjhsst.edu/drama |title=drama program |publisher=Arts.tjhsst.edu |accessdate=2011-02-14}}</ref> Another is the annual Knight of One Axe (Night of One Acts), which consists of mostly student-directed plays and occasionally has student-written plays. The independent Shakespeare Troupe student group performs ] plays throughout the year.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724170206/http://arts.tjhsst.edu/troupe |date=July 24, 2008 }}</ref>


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>
The orchestra program is currently directed by Allison Bailey.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Orchestra|url = https://www.tjhsst.edu/research-academics/fine-arts/orchestra/index.html|website = www.tjhsst.edu|accessdate = 2015-10-14}}</ref>


==Merit award controversy==
In 2013, the ] of the school was among fifteen high-school bands invited to the ] 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 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120803075319/http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/music-festivals/mfa-national-festival/2013-music-for-all-national-festival |archivedate=August 3, 2012 }}</ref>
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" />


=== Model United Nations === == Notable alumni ==
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
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 hosted by the ], ], and the ] (ILMUNC), and winning the Best Large Delegation award at WMHSMUN XXII and XXIII and the equivalent award at VAMUN. TJHSST's Model UN also won the Outstanding Large Delegation award at ILMUNC XXVI.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://activities.tjhsst.edu/mun/awards.php |title=TJ MUN Awards |publisher=Activities.tjhsst.edu |accessdate=2011-02-14 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701024835/http://activities.tjhsst.edu/mun/awards.php |archivedate=July 1, 2010 }}</ref> TJMUN hosts its own conference each spring, TechMUN.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://activities.tjhsst.edu/mun/invitation.html |title=TechMUN 2015 Invitation |publisher=TJMUN |accessdate=2015-03-16}}</ref>
* ], 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>
* ], 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>
* ], 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}}


=== Athletics === == See also ==
* ]

* ]
The school's rowing teams have won medals at the ] Regatta and Scholastic Rowing Nationals regattas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boathouserow.org/rega07/scr07.html |title=Stotesbury Cup 2007 |publisher= |accessdate=2011-07-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.tjhsst.edu/crew/pages/?11 |title=TJ Crew |publisher= |accessdate=2011-07-19 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315202654/http://sports.tjhsst.edu/crew/pages/?11 |archivedate=March 15, 2012 }}</ref>{{dead link|date=September 2016}}
* ]

* ]
School teams have won 18 VHSL state titles in athletic activities, all at the AAA level until 2013, then it moved to the newly formed 5A Division:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.tjhsst.edu/boosters/statechamps.php |title=Colonial Athletic Boosters – VHSL States Champions |publisher=Sports.tjhsst.edu |accessdate=2011-02-14 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720060511/http://sports.tjhsst.edu/boosters/statechamps.php |archivedate=July 20, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>
* ]

== Alumni ==
<!--Please only add names WITH REFERENCES. ] concerns.-->
*], 1989, game designer, "]," "]," "]," and "]."
*], 1990, screenwriter, ''],'' ''],'' ''],'' ''],'' ''],'' ''],'' '']''.
*], 1991, lawyer and novelist, former associate general counsel of Time Warner.
*], 1992, CTO of ]'s ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hillary Clinton hires Google executive to be chief technology officer|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/08/hillary-clinton-hires-google-executive-to-be-chief-technology-officer/}}</ref>
*], 1992, poet/editor/professor, author of 8 books and founder of ''Drunken Boat''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drunkenboat.com/|title=Home|work=drunkenboat.com}}</ref>
*], 1993, ].
*], 1994, co-author, '']'', author, ''12.21'', writer/producer, '']'', '']'', ''].<ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|1933058|name=Dustin Thomason}}. Retrieved on May 20, 2009.</ref>
*], 1994, co-author, '']''.
*], 1994, Broadway actor, '']'', '']'', '']'', '']''.
*], 1994, ] nominee for Governor of Virginia in 2013 and Libertarian Party nominee for U.S. Senator from Virginia in 2014.
*Vlad Tenev, 2004, co-founder of ], and featured on the ] "30 Under 30" list in 2016<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forbes.com/30-under-30-2016/finance/ |title=Forbes 30 Under 30 2016 |last1=Vardi |first1=Nathan |last2=Sharf |first2=Samantha |date=2016-01-04 |website=forbes.com |publisher= Forbes Magazine |access-date=2016-09-01}}</ref>
*], 1994, soccer player, member of the US Women's team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
*], 1995, chef/restaurateur, chef/owner of Mission Bowling Club in San Francisco.
*], 1997, founder and CEO, ].
*], 1998, serial entrepreneur, founder of ] and ].
*], 1998, poet, 2009 '']''.
*], 1999, inventor and entrepreneur, winner of the ] in 2009.
*], 2000, comedian
*], 2002, vocalist, ].
*], 2003, referred to as "Macaca" by ] in the 2006 ]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Scherer|first1=Michael|title=Salon Person of the Year: S.R. Sidarth|url=http://www.salon.com/2006/12/16/sidarth/|publisher=Salon|accessdate=21 February 2017|date=16 December 2006}}</ref>
*], 2004, professional long-distance runner.
*], 2015, American competitive swimmer and former High School Swimmer of the Year.


== References == == References ==
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== Further reading == == Further reading ==
* Lindsey, Drew. "", ''Washingtonian'', October 1, 2009. * Lindsey, Drew. "", ''Washingtonian'', October 1, 2009.


{{Category commons}}
== External links ==
*


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{{Fairfax County, Virginia High Schools}} {{Fairfax County, Virginia High Schools}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jefferson}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Jefferson}}
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Latest revision as of 01:19, 10 January 2025

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; 40 years ago (1985)
School districtFairfax County Public Schools
PrincipalMichael Mukai (starting January 2025)
Teaching staff120.23 (FTE) (2023–24)
Grades9–12
GenderCoeducational
Enrollment2,015 (2023–24)
Student to teacher ratio16.78 (2023–24)
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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