Needs Improvement
#1233 of 1,280 schools in IA
Thomas Jefferson High School
High School · Cedar Rapids Comm School District
1243 20th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Enrollment
1,575
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
3.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,575
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
3.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cedar Rapids
#38 of 40
public schools
Iowa high schools
#322 of 334
In district
#29 of 31
Cedar Rapids Comm School District
About Thomas Jefferson High School
Thomas Jefferson High School serves 1,575 students in grades 9-12 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1 across 86 full-time equivalent teachers. This large public high school currently faces significant academic challenges, ranking in the 2nd percentile statewide at #1,262 out of 1,288 Iowa high schools. The school's academic performance shows substantial room for growth, with 55% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 38% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.
These results indicate the school is working to strengthen student outcomes and support academic development across all grade levels. Thomas Jefferson High School draws from a diverse community in the 52404 zip code, where the median household income is $61,783 and median home values average $155,700. The surrounding neighborhood has a poverty rate of 12.3%, with 24% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Despite current academic challenges, the school's substantial size provides opportunities for varied programming and resources as it works to better serve its large student body. The school is situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa's second-largest city, offering students access to mid-size city amenities while maintaining a strong Midwestern community atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
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Thomas Jefferson High School — Students at Thomas Jefferson High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.2/10.
How Thomas Jefferson High School Compares
See how Thomas Jefferson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 38% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
1243 20th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Jefferson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Maple Grove Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LASALLE CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LASALLE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cedar Rapids, see our Cedar Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52404 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,304
Median Home Value
$159,700
Median Rent
$885/mo
Population
42,582
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
67.4%
Avg Commute
18.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Jefferson High School has a median household income of $62,304. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,700, with a median rent of $885/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson High School Council Bluffs, IA | 3.9 |
| Burlington Community High School Burlington, IA | 3.6 |
| Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge, IA | 4.0 |
| Marshalltown High School Marshalltown, IA | 4.2 |
| East High School Des Moines, IA | 4.3 |
| North Scott High School Eldridge, IA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Jefferson High School
What grades does Thomas Jefferson High School serve?
Thomas Jefferson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Thomas Jefferson High School?
Thomas Jefferson High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,575 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson High School is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas Jefferson High School rank in IA?
Thomas Jefferson High School is ranked #1233 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Thomas Jefferson High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Jefferson High School has a composite rating of 3.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Thomas Jefferson High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Jefferson High School has 47.3% math proficiency and 62.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas Jefferson High School a charter school?
No, Thomas Jefferson High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Jefferson High School a Title I school?
No, Thomas Jefferson High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Jefferson High School?
59.7% of students at Thomas Jefferson High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 47 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 24 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 43 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,957/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cedar Rapids). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,575
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 86
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Linn County
- Phone
- (319) 558-2435
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cedar Rapids Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 15,589
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,623
- District Rank
- #29 of 31
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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