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Below Average

#1803 of 2,228 schools in WA

Thomas Jefferson High School

High School · Federal Way School District

4248 S 288TH ST, Auburn, WA 98001

Enrollment

1,786

Student-Teacher

22:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,803 of 2,228

In Auburn

#19 of 31

public schools

In district

#16 of 41

Federal Way School District

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Thomas Jefferson High School

4.8/10

High School in Auburn · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pacific International School

Nearby

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Valhalla Elementary School

4.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Thomas Jefferson High School

Thomas Jefferson High School is a public high school in Auburn, WA, part of Federal Way School District. Thomas Jefferson High School serves approximately 1,786 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Jefferson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,803 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Jefferson High School show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Thomas Jefferson High School runs 22:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

50% of students at Thomas Jefferson High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.4% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-17.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.8 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness9.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.6%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,898
Chronic Absenteeism50.3%

Thomas Jefferson High School — Students at Thomas Jefferson High School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 67.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 29 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
48%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
49.5%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
28%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
66%
2022
ELA
56%
2024
Math
14.1%
ELA
37.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.

How Thomas Jefferson High School Compares

See how Thomas Jefferson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
19th percentile in WA
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
22
10 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
81 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered IB Programme
6.6% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·634 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
10 boys'·12 girls'·34 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4248 S 288TH ST, Auburn, WA 98001

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Jefferson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Open Doors Youth Reengagement (1418) (rated 6.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Federal Way), which scores notably higher. Another option is Career Academy at Truman High School (rated 5.6/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Federal Way), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Federal Way High School (rated 3.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Federal Way), a more accessible option. For more schools in Auburn, see our Auburn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Auburn 0.5 mi
Valhalla Elementary School Auburn 0.5 mi 4.8
Camelot Elementary School Auburn 0.8 mi 4.8
Evergreen Middle School Kent 1.2 mi 4.1
Lake Dolloff Elementary School Auburn 1.2 mi 3.4
Kilo Middle School Auburn 1.2 mi 4.2
Star Lake Elementary School Kent 1.3 mi 5.6
Meredith Hill Elementary School Auburn 1.1 mi 4.0
HOLY INNOCENTS SCHOOL OF THE NORTHWEST Federal Way 1.1 mi
Mark Twain Elementary School Federal Way 1.2 mi 3.3
Wildwood Elementary School Federal Way 1.3 mi 5.9
Evergreen Heights Elementary Auburn 1.9 mi 7.0
Internet Academy Federal Way 2.0 mi 4.7
Career Academy at Truman High School Federal Way 2.0 mi 5.6
Open Doors Youth Reengagement (1418) Federal Way 2.0 mi 6.9
Sunnycrest Elementary School Kent 2.5 mi 4.4
HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.1 mi 5.8
K-SCHOOL Des Moines 2.1 mi 6.4
Woodmont K-8 School Des Moines 2.0 mi 4.2
Federal Way High School Federal Way 2.0 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,218

Median Home Value

$538,800

Median Rent

$1,927/mo

Population

36,041

College Educated

28.4%

Homeownership

76.2%

Avg Commute

31 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

39.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Decatur High School Federal Way, WA 4.8
Evergreen High School Vancouver, WA 4.8
Battle Ground High School Battle Ground, WA 4.7
Oak Harbor High School Oak Harbor, WA 4.7
Peninsula High School Gig Harbor, WA 4.7
Clover Park High School Lakewood, WA 4.9

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 1,786 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson High School is 22:1. 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 WA?

Thomas Jefferson High School ranks #1,803 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Thomas Jefferson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Jefferson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Thomas Jefferson High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Jefferson High School has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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?

71.7% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,786
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
Teachers (FTE)
81
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.3%

District

Federal Way School District
District Enrollment
21,818
Schools in District
46
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,898
District Rank
#16 of 41

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