Thomas Jefferson High School (Tampa, Florida)

Thomas Jefferson High School
Thomas Jefferson High School
Address
	4401 Cypress Street; Tampa, Florida 33607; United States
Information
Type	Public high school
Established	1939
School district	Hillsborough County Public Schools
Principal	Brittney D. Wilhelm
Staff	60.50 (FTE)
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	1,355 (2023–2024)
Student to teacher ratio	22.40
Color(s)	Blue and gold
Athletics	Football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, cross country, track, swimming, volleyball, golf, cheerleading, soccer, tennis, softball, flag-football, lacrosse.
Athletics conference	6A
Mascot	Dragons
Website	https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/jefferson

27°57′14″N 82°31′13″W / 27.954019°N 82.52018°W / 27.954019; -82.52018

Thomas Jefferson High School is a public high school located in the heart of the Westshore Business District of Tampa, Florida, United States. It is an Area 1 school under the Hillsborough County Public Schools system.^[3]

History

In 1939, due to the increasing high school population in the Tampa area, Thomas Jefferson High School was founded in the Old Hillsborough County High School building at 2704 N. Highland Avenue in the city's Tampa Heights neighborhood.^[4] Named after the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, its first principal was D.W. Waters and its first class graduated in 1942. By 1967, the school board decided that its location no longer met modern educational requirements and the first Jefferson High School was closed. Upon closure of the school, students were sent to neighboring schools to complete their education. The original Thomas Jefferson High School building still exists today as the D.W. Waters Career Center.

On August 27, 1973, the new Jefferson High School building was opened at its current location on West Cypress Street.^[5]

Demographics

Jefferson HS is 53% Hispanic, 34% Black, 9% White, and 4% Other ^[6]

Magnet Program

In 2001, Thomas Jefferson High instituted a magnet program with courses focusing on international studies.

International Business & Global Finance Honors
International Culinary Arts Honors
International Law & Criminal Justice Honors
Maritime academy

The courses have since changed names and have slowly moved on from focusing on international studies to being college preparatory leadership academies for students.

Thomas Jefferson High School offers the following College Preparatory Leadership Academies to magnet students who apply:^[7]

Business Ownership and Finance Academy
Maritime and Marine Exploration Academy
Law and Criminal Justice Leadership Academy
Culinary Arts & Baking and Pastry Academy

Athletics

Football

In 2010, the Dragons won the Class 3A State Championship.^[8] They finished the year 15-0 and ranked #8 nationally^[9]

Music

The Music programs offered at Jefferson High School are:

Marching Band
Winter Guard
Jazz Band
Symphonic Band
Percussion Ensemble
Orchestra

Extracurricular activities

Jefferson High students participate in clubs, groups, and organizations.

Honors clubs

Beta, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, French Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, German Honor Society, Thespians Tri-M National Music Honor Society.

Magnet clubs

DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FPSA (Florida Public Service Association), Tri-M Music Honor Society, Mock Trial Team

Service clubs

Junior Civitan, Key Club, SAC (student advisory council), SADD, Shanti.

Interest clubs

Arriba, Ballroom Dancing, FCA, True Love Does Wait, Nubian Queens, Science Brain Bowl, YO, Model United Nations, Human Rights, Step, Male/Female Weightlifting, Hip-Hop, Crew, Best Buddies, Drama, Health Club.

Additional

School newspaper, literary magazine, yearbook.

Notable alumni

Coleman Bell, NFL football player^[10]
Ventell Bryant, NFL wide receiver^[11]
Andre Caldwell, NFL football player^[12]
Reche Caldwell, NFL football player^[13]
Rick Casares, NFL football player^[14]
Kirby Dar Dar, NFL football player^[15]
André Davis, NFL wide receiver^[16]
Lenny Faedo, Major League Baseball player^[17]
Luis Gonzalez, Major League Baseball player^[18]
Jimmy Herget, Major League Baseball player
Tarence Kinsey, NBA Basketball player, continued playing 2016 to 2020 in Israel and Europe. ^[19]
Joe Lala, musician and actor
Tony La Russa, Major League Baseball player/manager. Member Baseball Hall of Fame.^[20]^[18]
Fred McGriff Major League Baseball player. Member Baseball Hall of Fame.^[21]
Chris Moore ,NFL wide receiver^[22]
Bob Martinez, former Tampa mayor and Florida governor
Tino Martinez, Major League Baseball player^[18]
Sam Militello, Major League Baseball player^[23]
Keith Newman, NFL football player^[24]
Ferdie Pacheco, Physician for Muhammad Ali
Al Pardo, Major League Baseball player^[25]
Prechae Rodriguez, NFL football player^[26]
Fred Rath, Jr., Major League Baseball player^[27]
Torrance Small, NFL football player^[28]
Oscar Smith, NFL football player^[29]
K. D. Williams, NFL football player^[30]
Ramik Wilson, NFL Linebacker^[31]
Tony Zappone, author, photojournalist, broadcaster^[32]

References

^ "Administration". Hillsborough County School District. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c "JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
^ "Area 1 - List of Schools". Hillsborough County Public Schools. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
^ Northoftampa: 65 years later, their spirit remains
^ "Jefferson High / Homepage".
^ "Jefferson High School". SchoolDigger. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
^ "About our Programs". Jefferson High School. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
^ "Records". FHSAA. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
^ "High School Football Rankings - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
^ "Coleman Bell Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Ventell Bryant Statistics". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Andre Caldwell Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Reche Caldwell Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ Johston, Joey (September 14, 2013). "Former Jefferson High, NFL star Rick Casares dies". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Kirby Dar Dar Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Tracking the Bills' reported undrafted free-agent signings - BN Blitz - the Buffalo News". Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
^ "Lenny Faedo Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c Bissinger, Buzz (2006). Three Nights in August. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 118. ISBN 9780618710539.
^ "UN GROS CV EN RENFORT : TARENCE KINSEY EST DIJONNAIS". jdadijon.com. December 3, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
^ Topkin, Marc (December 9, 2013). "Tampa's Tony La Russa elected to baseball's Hall of Fame". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Fred McGriff Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Chris Moore - Baltimore Ravens - NFL". www.rotoworld.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
^ "Sam Militello Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Keith Newman Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Al Pardo Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Beyond the Gridiron with Prechae Rodriguez". Arena Football League. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Fred Rath Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Torrance Small Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Oscar Smith Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "K.D. Williams Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ "Ramik Wilson Statistics". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
^ Zappone, Tony (December 6, 2013). "John F. Kennedy: A President, A Kid and His Camera". Cigar City Magazine. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

External links

[1] "Administration". Hillsborough County School District. Retrieved April 10, 2024.

[NCES-2] "JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 28, 2024.

[3] "Area 1 - List of Schools". Hillsborough County Public Schools. Retrieved February 7, 2018.

[4] Northoftampa: 65 years later, their spirit remains

[5] "Jefferson High / Homepage".

[6] "Jefferson High School". SchoolDigger. Retrieved June 11, 2020.

[7] "About our Programs". Jefferson High School. Retrieved April 10, 2024.

[8] "Records". FHSAA. Retrieved March 27, 2014.

[9] "High School Football Rankings - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.

[10] "Coleman Bell Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[11] "Ventell Bryant Statistics". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[12] "Andre Caldwell Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[13] "Reche Caldwell Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[14] Johston, Joey (September 14, 2013). "Former Jefferson High, NFL star Rick Casares dies". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[15] "Kirby Dar Dar Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[16] "Tracking the Bills' reported undrafted free-agent signings - BN Blitz - the Buffalo News". Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.

[17] "Lenny Faedo Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[Three_Nights-18] Bissinger, Buzz (2006). Three Nights in August. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 118. ISBN 9780618710539.

[19] "UN GROS CV EN RENFORT : TARENCE KINSEY EST DIJONNAIS". jdadijon.com. December 3, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2024.

[20] Topkin, Marc (December 9, 2013). "Tampa's Tony La Russa elected to baseball's Hall of Fame". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[21] "Fred McGriff Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[22] "Chris Moore - Baltimore Ravens - NFL". www.rotoworld.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.

[23] "Sam Militello Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[24] "Keith Newman Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[25] "Al Pardo Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[26] "Beyond the Gridiron with Prechae Rodriguez". Arena Football League. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[27] "Fred Rath Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[28] "Torrance Small Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[29] "Oscar Smith Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[30] "K.D. Williams Statistics". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[31] "Ramik Wilson Statistics". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

[32] Zappone, Tony (December 6, 2013). "John F. Kennedy: A President, A Kid and His Camera". Cigar City Magazine. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

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v t e Hillsborough County public and private schools
High schools	Alonso High School (8th–12th grade) Armwood High School Blake High School Bloomingdale High School Brandon High School Chamberlain High School Durant High School East Bay High School Freedom High School Gaither High School Hillsborough High School Jefferson High School King High School Lennard High School Leto (A. P. Leto) High School Middleton High School Newsome High School Plant City High School (7th–12th grade) Plant High School Riverview High School Robinson High School Sickles High School Spoto High School Steinbrenner High School Strawberry Crest High School Sumner High School Tampa Bay Technical High School Tampa Marine Evening (7th–12th grade) Wharton High School
Middle schools	Louis Benito Middle School Pete Davidsen Middle School Angelo L. Greco Middle School Ben Hill Middle School John Quincy Adams Middle School James Buchanan Middle School William G. Pierce Middle School (6th–9th grade) Memorial Middle School Sligh Middle Magnet School D.W. Webb Middle School Dowdell Middle Magnet School Roland Park Middle School Dr. John A. Coleman Middle School Martin Van Buren Middle School James Madison Middle School Progress Village Middle Magnet School Dr. R. Reche Williams Middle Magnet School Nathan B. Young Middle Magnet School Benjamin Franklin Middle Magnet School Andrew J. Ferrell Middle Magnet School James Monroe Middle School Woodrow Wilson Middle School Garland V. Stewart Middle Magnet School Orange Grove Middle Magnet School Hillsborough Academy (5th–8th grade) Liberty Middle School
Elementary schools	Booker T. Washington Elementary School Macfarlane Park International Baccalaureate School Westchase Elementary School Alafia Elementary School Symmes Elementary School Summerfield Elementary School Crestwood Elementary School Claywell Elementary School Cypress Creek Elementary School Essrig Elementary School Limona Elementary School Boyette Springs Elementary School Egypt Lake Elementary School Dale Mabry Elementary School Pride Elementary School Forest Hills Elementary School Dunbar Magnet School Gorrie Elementary School Mitchell Elementary School Oak Grove Elementary School Lee Magnet School Roosevelt Elementary School West Shore Elementary School Walden Lake Elementary School
Charter schools in Tampa and surrounding Hillsborough County	Anderson Elementary Academy Bell Creek Academy Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School Carl Sagan Academy Cristo Rey Tampa High School Hope Preparatory Academy Kid’s Community College Learning Gate Community School Literacy/Leadership/Technology Academy Metropolitan Ministries Mount Pleasant Standard-Based Middle School Pepin Academy of Tampa Prince Academy Quest Middle School Re-birth Academy RCMA Wimauma Academy Richardson Montessori Academy Tampa Bay Academy Tampa Charter School Tampa Transitional School of Excellence Terrace Community Middle School Trinity School for Children USF/Patel USF/Patel Intermediate Village of Excellence Walton Academy of the Performing Arts
Private schools in Tampa	Academy of the Holy Names (9–12) American Youth Academy (PreK–12) Bayshore Christian School (PreK–12) Bell Shoals Baptist Academy (PreK–8) Berkeley Preparatory School (PreK–12) Cambridge Christian School (PreK–12) Carrollwood Day School (PreK–12) Christ the King Catholic School (PreK–8) Citrus Park Christian School (PreK–12) Foundation Christian Academy (PreK–12) Grace Christian School (K–12) Jesuit High School of Tampa (9–12) Paideia Classical Christian School (K–12) Seffner Christian Academy (PreK–12) St. John's Episcopal Parish Day School (PreK–8) St. Mary's Episcopal Day School (PreK–8) Tampa Baptist Academy (PreK–12) Tampa Catholic High School (9–12) Tampa Preparatory School (6–12)