Thomas Jefferson High School, usually referred to as Jefferson High School, is a public high school in South Los Angeles. Founded in 1916, it is the fourth oldest high school in the school district. Jefferson's school colors are kelly green and gold and the sports teams are called the Democrats, or Demos for short.
Serving 615 students in grades 9-12, Thomas Jefferson Senior High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 6-9% (which is lower than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 30-34% (which is lower than the California state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is lower than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 615 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 76% (Btm 50% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
School Overview
Thomas Jefferson Senior High School's student population of 615 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 34 teachers has grown by 13% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
615 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
34 teachers
Year Founded
1916
School Calendar
School Rankings
Thomas Jefferson Senior High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 9,602 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Thomas Jefferson Senior High School is 0.19, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#8199 out of 9602 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(22-23)6-9%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
12%
Hispanic
90%
56%
Black
7%
5%
White
2%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
1%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
(22-23)76%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
96%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thomas Jefferson Senior High School's ranking?
Thomas Jefferson Senior High School is ranked #8199 out of 9,602 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
What schools are Thomas Jefferson Senior High School often compared to?
Thomas Jefferson Senior High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like El Segundo High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
6-9% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 30-34% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Thomas Jefferson Senior High School?
The graduation rate of Thomas Jefferson Senior High School is 76%, which is lower than the California state average of 87%.
How many students attend Thomas Jefferson Senior High School?
615 students attend Thomas Jefferson Senior High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
90% of Thomas Jefferson Senior High School students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Black, 2% of students are White, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Thomas Jefferson Senior High School?
Thomas Jefferson Senior High School has a student ration of 18:1, which is lower than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Thomas Jefferson Senior High School offer ?
Thomas Jefferson Senior High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Thomas Jefferson Senior High School part of?
Thomas Jefferson Senior High School is part of Los Angeles Unified School District.
In what neighborhood is Thomas Jefferson Senior High School located?
Thomas Jefferson Senior High School is located in the South Los Angeles neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. There are 201 other public schools located in South Los Angeles.
School Reviews
Review Thomas Jefferson Senior High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
Education and the rate of incarceration have been linked in a recent NAACP report. Learn about the report and the troubling findings.
The Debate Over Mandatory AP Exams: Balancing Academic Rigor and Student Well-being
Some public schools are forcing students in AP courses to take the AP exam. Here's a look at both sides of the debate and the potential benefits in store for both students and high schools.
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
