Thomas Jefferson High School

Summary:

Thomas Jefferson High School is a public high school in Council Bluffs, Iowa, serving 1,243 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Council Bluffs Community School District, which is ranked 281 out of 309 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Thomas Jefferson High School consistently underperforms compared to state and district averages in standardized test scores, with significantly lower proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels. The school also has a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 64.92% to 78.91% over the past three school years, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-income families. Despite its racial diversity, with a higher percentage of Hispanic and African American students compared to nearby schools, Thomas Jefferson High School has consistently ranked in the bottom third of Iowa high schools, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past several years.

In comparison, the nearby schools, such as Abraham Lincoln High School, Glenwood Senior High School, Underwood High School, and Lewis Central Senior High School, generally outperform Thomas Jefferson High School in standardized test scores and have higher statewide rankings and ratings from SchoolDigger, indicating better overall academic performance and school quality. These nearby schools also have significantly lower percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch compared to Thomas Jefferson High School.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 2501 W Broadway
       Council Bluffs, IA  51501-3595


(712) 328-6493

District: Council Bluffs Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
312th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $19,012 Help


Feeder schools for Thomas Jefferson High School:

Elementary:    Carter Lake Elementary School
    Edison Elementary School
    Franklin Elementary School
    Roosevelt Elementary School
    More...
Middle:    Woodrow Wilson Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  19.1 Help
Number of students:  1,243

Racial breakdown:

White:
70.6%
Hispanic:
19.1%
African American:
5.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  64.9% Help


 See top rated Iowa high schools

 Compare Thomas Jefferson High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Thomas Jefferson High School ranks worse than 92.3% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.3. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (70.6%), Hispanic (19.1%), African American (5.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 64.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson High School is 19.1. (See more...)
Help
Compare Thomas Jefferson High School employs 64.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Thomas Jefferson High School is $19,012.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Thomas Jefferson High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Thomas Jefferson High School 312th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See Thomas Jefferson High School in the ranking list.)

Council Bluffs Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Council Bluffs Community School District 281st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Thomas Jefferson High School?

Rank History for Thomas Jefferson High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 28.86 294th 351 16.2%
2013 16.41 320th 351 8.8%
2014 7.04 309th 322 4.0%
2015 8.24 305th 324 5.9%
2016 7.07 306th 320 4.4%
2017 7.68 310th 325 4.6%
2018 9.92 296th 320 7.5%
2019 8.05 311th 327 4.9%
2021 6.42 311th 327 4.9%
2022 6.44 319th 332 3.9%
2023 11.30 310th 336 7.7%
2024 11.30 312th 338 7.7%
See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Thomas Jefferson High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1.5)
0%

0%

0%

50%

50%

  

by a parent
Sunday, December 11, 2011

Open Quote Administration is know for just increasing graduation rates, while not being concerned if students are ready for college or life behind high school. Principal has a track record of adjusting what is graded and what is not graded in a student's class in order to increase graduation rates! Close Quote


by a parent
Sunday, May 16, 2010

Open Quote The teachers at this establishment are oddly confident about their ability to provide sub-standard education to area children. Half the students are years behind on basic skills, and instead of pushing them toward bettering themselves and focusing on their post-graduation plans, they pass them on to the next grade to be someone else's problem. I had three kids go there, all well above the norm educationally speaking, all of whom managed to go to respectable four year colleges and universities. I am lucky that they survived the transition period. Most graduates from TJ come back within the year because the preparation for higher education is non-existent. I was forced to confront administrators and teachers on a monthly basis because it seems that they are always taking privileges away from advanced students while making it easier for the low-achievers to slide even further. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Thomas Jefferson High School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1327 17 9 23 6 n/a n/a 0 1382
1989 1186 13 11 24 8 n/a n/a 0 1242
1990 1139 15 12 30 10 n/a n/a 0 1206
1991 1179 17 10 29 10 n/a n/a 0 1245
1992 1205 22 8 22 10 n/a n/a 0 1267
1993 1242 18 5 22 10 n/a n/a 0 1297
1994 1262 17 5 24 9 n/a n/a 0 1317
1995 1353 11 11 27 4 n/a n/a 0 1406
1996 1353 11 11 27 4 n/a n/a 0 1406
1997 1264 20 9 34 3 n/a n/a 0 1330
1998 1266 15 4 37 3 n/a n/a 0 1325
1999 1272 22 5 32 6 n/a n/a 0 1337
2000 1242 17 8 34 5 n/a n/a 0 1306
2001 1416 19 11 41 12 n/a n/a 0 1499
2002 1056 23 12 50 14 n/a n/a 0 1155
2003 1056 23 12 50 14 n/a n/a 0 1155
2004 1052 28 11 64 18 n/a n/a 0 1173
2005 986 31 13 84 11 n/a n/a 0 1125
2006 1032 39 12 93 10 n/a n/a 0 1186
2007 1096 56 11 116 11 n/a n/a 0 1290
2008 1090 39 7 128 8 n/a n/a 0 1272
2009 1118 45 8 133 10 n/a n/a 0 1314
2010 1130 45 10 135 9 0 0 0 1329
2011 1083 42 6 142 8 2 11 0 1294
2012 1036 57 4 162 9 4 19 0 1291
2013 933 72 3 181 12 3 30 0 1234
2014 917 57 3 196 9 4 42 0 1228
2015 945 48 5 223 8 4 45 0 1278
2016 903 50 4 210 7 5 41 0 1220
2017 891 58 8 218 9 2 52 0 1238
2018 898 48 11 218 8 2 52 0 1237
2019 880 42 10 242 5 2 44 0 1225
2020 941 56 15 243 6 3 43 0 1307
2021 904 55 17 252 5 2 36 0 1271
2022 879 58 17 233 4 3 33 0 1227
2023 877 64 17 238 4 3 40 0 1243

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Thomas Jefferson High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1382 90.0 15.3 10.8
1989 1242 8.6 144.4 8.9
1990 1206 82.5 14.6 12.4
1991 1245 80.0 15.5 10.4
1992 1267 83.0 15.2 11.6
1993 1297 83.0 15.6 11.9
1994 1317 86.0 15.3 12
1995 1406 85.5 16.4 15.2
1996 1406 85.5 16.4 15.2
1997 1330 81.0 16.4 19.8
1998 1325 80.0 16.6 18.3
1999 1337 79.0 16.9 25.5
2000 1306 77.4 16.9 25.7
2001 1499 79.0 19.0 22.9
2002 1155 75.4 15.3 32.7
2003 1155 75.4 15.3 32.7
2004 1173 73.6 15.9 38.1
2005 1125 70.5 16.0 48.1
2006 1186 69.3 17.1 52.9
2007 1290 68.9 18.7 53.1
2008 1272 70.5 18.0 58.7
2009 1314 71.8 18.3 57.3
2010 1329 84.7 15.6 61.9
2011 1294 62.2 20.7 63.1
2012 1291 66.4 19.4 71.1
2013 1234 71.8 17.1 63.8
2014 1228 69.7 17.6 64
2015 1278 71.0 18.0 58.3
2016 1220 75.0 16.2 65.3
2017 1238 76.1 16.2 74.2
2018 1237 76.0 16.2 57.7
2019 1225 72.3 16.9 47.5
2020 1307 69.1 18.8 72.8
2021 1271 66.7 19.0 78.9
2022 1227 65.8 18.6 77.8
2023 1243 64.7 19.1 64.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Thomas Jefferson High School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1382 90.0 15.3 10.8
1989 1242 8.6 144.4 8.9
1990 1206 82.5 14.6 12.4
1991 1245 80.0 15.5 10.4
1992 1267 83.0 15.2 11.6
1993 1297 83.0 15.6 11.9
1994 1317 86.0 15.3 12
1995 1406 85.5 16.4 15.2
1996 1406 85.5 16.4 15.2
1997 1330 81.0 16.4 19.8
1998 1325 80.0 16.6 18.3
1999 1337 79.0 16.9 25.5
2000 1306 77.4 16.9 25.7
2001 1499 79.0 19.0 22.9
2002 1155 75.4 15.3 32.7
2003 1155 75.4 15.3 32.7
2004 1173 73.6 15.9 38.1
2005 1125 70.5 16.0 48.1
2006 1186 69.3 17.1 52.9
2007 1290 68.9 18.7 53.1
2008 1272 70.5 18.0 58.7
2009 1314 71.8 18.3 57.3
2010 1329 84.7 15.6 61.9
2011 1294 62.2 20.7 63.1
2012 1291 66.4 19.4 71.1
2013 1234 71.8 17.1 63.8
2014 1228 69.7 17.6 64
2015 1278 71.0 18.0 58.3
2016 1220 75.0 16.2 65.3
2017 1238 76.1 16.2 74.2
2018 1237 76.0 16.2 57.7
2019 1225 72.3 16.9 47.5
2020 1307 69.1 18.8 72.8
2021 1271 66.7 19.0 78.9
2022 1227 65.8 18.6 77.8
2023 1243 64.7 19.1 64.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Thomas Jefferson High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $712 (3.7%) $18,300 (96.3%) $19,012

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Thomas Jefferson High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 311th of 327 High schoolsRanks 310th of 336 High schools
 2.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Thomas Jefferson High School)48.656.3
 7.7%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Council Bluffs Community School District)55.858
 2.2%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)74.372.9
 1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (Thomas Jefferson High School)50.256.3
 6.1%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Council Bluffs Community School District)5248.7
 3.3%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)67.167
 0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Thomas Jefferson High School)50.836.3
 14.5%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Council Bluffs Community School District)51.648.4
 3.2%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)71.468.7
 2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Thomas Jefferson High School)49.638.3
 11.3%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Council Bluffs Community School District)47.543.1
 4.4%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)66.967.3
 0.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students12251243
 1.5%
African American4264
 52.4%
American Indian54
 20%
Asian1017
 70%
Hispanic242238
 1.7%
Pacific Islander23
 50%
White880877
 0.3%
Two or More Races4440
 9.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients47.5%64.9%
 17.4%


Schools Near Thomas Jefferson High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Thomas Jefferson High School

Thomas Jefferson High School ranks in the bottom 7.7% of Iowa high schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,243 students attended Thomas Jefferson High School.

Students at Thomas Jefferson High School are 71% White, 19% Hispanic, 5% African American, 3% Two or more races, 1% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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