Tell me about Jefferson middle school APS

[Anonymous]

Looking for current information on Jefferson middle school?

[Anonymous]

It’s like being incarcerated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s like being incarcerated

The building is old, ugly and dark (fewer windows). But my son’s friends who attend the school don’t hate it anymore than other middle school friends “hate” their schools (except Dorothy Hamm kids are happier he thinks). Son’s friend likes the IB program offered there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s like being incarcerated

The building is old, ugly and dark (fewer windows). But my son’s friends who attend the school don’t hate it anymore than other middle school friends “hate” their schools (except Dorothy Hamm kids are happier he thinks). Son’s friend likes the IB program offered there.

A complete building renewal (along with Swanson) was supposed to be part of an upcoming CIP. But there's not much money available. The school itself along with the IB program is popular with neighborhood families.

[Anonymous]

My kid liked it as much as any kid likes middle school. Made lots of friends, had some really great teachers, and a couple of duds (like most of us). Utilized the rec center after school which was great. Diverse, plenty of theatre/music/art options, relative rigor in the intensified classes.

[Anonymous]

One thing to be aware of is that some of the kids go to Wakefield and others to WL so your kid may end up at a different high school than their middle school friends. that has pros and cons but is something to be aware of (I think this happens at most Arlington middle schools).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s like being incarcerated

The building is old, ugly and dark (fewer windows). But my son’s friends who attend the school don’t hate it anymore than other middle school friends “hate” their schools (except Dorothy Hamm kids are happier he thinks). Son’s friend likes the IB program offered there.

I would 100% agree with this. My kids go to WMS. Middle School is the weak link in APS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s like being incarcerated

The building is old, ugly and dark (fewer windows). But my son’s friends who attend the school don’t hate it anymore than other middle school friends “hate” their schools (except Dorothy Hamm kids are happier he thinks). Son’s friend likes the IB program offered there.

I would 100% agree with this. My kids go to WMS. Middle School is the weak link in APS

It seems like middle school is the weak link in every school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s like being incarcerated

The building is old, ugly and dark (fewer windows). But my son’s friends who attend the school don’t hate it anymore than other middle school friends “hate” their schools (except Dorothy Hamm kids are happier he thinks). Son’s friend likes the IB program offered there.

I would 100% agree with this. My kids go to WMS. Middle School is the weak link in APS

It seems like middle school is the weak link in every school system.

Yeah, middle school just isn’t a particular pleasant time/age for kids, parents, or teachers, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s like being incarcerated

The building is old, ugly and dark (fewer windows). But my son’s friends who attend the school don’t hate it anymore than other middle school friends “hate” their schools (except Dorothy Hamm kids are happier he thinks). Son’s friend likes the IB program offered there.

I would 100% agree with this. My kids go to WMS. Middle School is the weak link in APS

It seems like middle school is the weak link in every school system.

Yeah, middle school just isn’t a particular pleasant time/age for kids, parents, or teachers, in my opinion.

To be honest, my friends who are middle school teachers seem happier than my friends who are elementary school teachers, that being said I’m an elementary school teacher so I spent a lot more time with them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s like being incarcerated

The building is old, ugly and dark (fewer windows). But my son’s friends who attend the school don’t hate it anymore than other middle school friends “hate” their schools (except Dorothy Hamm kids are happier he thinks). Son’s friend likes the IB program offered there.

I would 100% agree with this. My kids go to WMS. Middle School is the weak link in APS

It seems like middle school is the weak link in every school system.

Yeah, middle school just isn’t a particular pleasant time/age for kids, parents, or teachers, in my opinion.

One of my friends is a middle school English teacher. She enjoys teaching that age but also says every middle school is, to some degree, a hot mess because kids that age are a hot mess.

[Anonymous]

While staff are great, the school building is worn down. It’s old, dingy, dark (no windows!) and depressing. Don’t blame it on typical middle school years. APS has neglected this middle school building. Rather than updating or remodeling they are waiting to tear it down to build another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While staff are great, the school building is worn down. It’s old, dingy, dark (no windows!) and depressing. Don’t blame it on typical middle school years. APS has neglected this middle school building. Rather than updating or remodeling they are waiting to tear it down to build another.

There have been on and off plans to tear down and rebuild TJ for roughly 25 years. The money was just never available and other school buildings were prioritized for demolition and reconstruction. About 15 years ago, it received a new paint job and some additional classrooms were constructed / reconfigured in the interior. I believe the library was upgraded then with new furniture. Hopefully a complete rebuild will happen soon.