Mission, Philosophy, and Values

Excellence. Always.

Our Mission

Thomas Jefferson School engages its students in the education necessary to live as responsible citizens of the world.

Through the strongest possible college-preparatory program and within a nurturing community, students develop a responsibility for their own learning and a desire to lift up the world with beauty and intellect.

Our Philosophy

To accomplish its mission, the school adheres to the following principles:

Thinking critically and creatively

Guided by the belief that motivated students with high ability are best served by an excellent liberal-arts program, we will engage students in the process of developing a truly educated mind, one that comprehends clearly and assesses critically the conventions and customs that make up their world.

Ensuring Success at TJ and Beyond

We will help develop in students the qualities that will allow them to succeed at TJ, at the next level of their education, and as adults—independence, honesty, courage, leadership, kindness, the habit of hard work, delight in learning, and a sense of responsibility for themselves and for others.

Fostering Community

Our students will engage in study and community building with adults and peers who model these qualities both in and out of the classroom.

Cultivating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our students will live and work with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, learning to respect feelings, beliefs, and customs that are different from their own.

Modeling Engagement and Growth

Honoring our founders’ vision that a learning community is strengthened by the continuous engagement and development of all its members, our faculty and staff will continue to grow as professionals and to participate in the decisions that affect them.

Our Values

Many years ago, TJ adopted the Greek ἡ ἀρετή—excellence—as its motto.

From the beginning, that standard has shaped the school’s expectations and continues to inform our work today. Our central purpose is to prepare students for a demanding and rewarding college experience. By emphasizing sustained effort and individual responsibility, TJ’s approach to foundational education develops initiative and self-reliance that are uncommon at the middle and high school levels. These habits serve our graduates well in college and beyond. As one recent alumnus put it when asked about college: “It feels like TJ 2.0.”

Students working collaboratively in class

Alongside excellence, TJ is guided by a second defining value: belonging.

We understand belonging not as a slogan, but as a condition for meaningful learning and growth. It reflects our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and shapes how students learn, live, and engage with one another. Within an international, multicultural community, we believe students do their strongest academic work when multiple perspectives are welcomed, critical thinking is expected, and empathy is practiced with intention.

A TJ education prepares students not only for college, but for thoughtful participation in the broader world.