Is Jefferson High School a good school?

Jefferson High School ranks 46 th of 458 Georgia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 5 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Jefferson High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,275 students attended Jefferson High School.

What is the racial makeup of Jefferson High School?

Students at Jefferson High School are 75% White, 10% African American, 9% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

What schools feed into Jefferson High School?

Jefferson High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Jefferson Academy Elementary : Jefferson Elementary School Middle : Jefferson Middle School

Jefferson High School

Summary:

Jefferson High School is a public high school serving 1,214 students in grades 9-12 in Jefferson, Georgia. The school is part of the Jefferson City School District, which is ranked 6th out of 203 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Jefferson High School consistently ranks among the top high schools in Georgia, with a statewide ranking between 5th and 46th over the past 10 years. The school has maintained a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating exceptional academic performance. Its graduation rates range from 95.5% to 99.3% over the past 5 years, significantly exceeding the state average. Students at Jefferson High School also consistently outperform the state and local district averages on the Georgia Milestones End-of-Course assessments, with proficiency rates as high as 70.8% in United States History, well above the state average. The school has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 16.97% to 19.34% over the past 3 years, indicating a relatively affluent student population compared to the surrounding schools.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Apalachee High School, Jefferson High School significantly outperforms in academic metrics like test scores and graduation rates. Jefferson High School also stands out in its exceptional performance on the United States History End-of-Course assessment, with proficiency rates ranging from 68.7% to 80.5% over the past 3 years, significantly higher than the state average of around 38%. This level of sustained excellence over the past decade, along with the school's efficient use of resources and low student-teacher ratio, make Jefferson High School a standout institution in the state of Georgia.

Detail:

Public 9-12

575 Washington St
Jefferson, GA 30549

(706) 367-2881

District: Jefferson City

SchoolDigger Rank:
46^th of 458 Georgia High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,266

Feeder schools for Jefferson High School:

Elementary:	Jefferson Academy
	Jefferson Elementary School
Middle:	Jefferson Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.4

Number of students: 1,275

Racial breakdown:

White:

74.7%

African American:

9.6%

Hispanic:

9.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 27.9%

See top rated Georgia high schools

Compare Jefferson High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Jefferson High School ranks better than 90% of high schools in Georgia. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 81.13. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Jefferson High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (74.7%), African American (9.6%), Hispanic (9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 27.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Jefferson High School is 16.4. (See more...)

Compare Jefferson High School employs 77.6 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Jefferson High School is $8,266.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Jefferson High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson High School 46^th of 458 Georgia public high schools. (See Jefferson High School in the ranking list.)

Jefferson City:

SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson City 6^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Jefferson High School.

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Rank History for Jefferson High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	72.96	54^th	335	83.9%
2007	80.86	39^th	358	89.1%
2008	80.68	47^th	370	87.3%
2009	80.56	41^st	372	89.0%
2010	86.13	24^th	384	93.8%
2011	83.31	38^th	402	90.5%
2012	78.86	50^th	396	87.4%
2013	81.19	40^th	425	90.6%
2014	79.93	31^st	425	92.7%
2015	86.98	20^th	435	95.4%
2016	81.01	36^th	426	91.5%
2017	84.47	25^th	420	94.0%
2018	87.43	22^nd	428	94.9%
2019	85.55	28^th	438	93.6%
2021	93.34	5^th	410	98.8%
2022	86.46	25^th	429	94.2%
2023	92.56	12^th	442	97.3%
2024	81.13	46^th	458	90.0%

See the entire list of Georgia High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)

50%

Reviews:

by a parent
Saturday, August 5, 2023

Jefferson City schools is full of drugs, pregnant teens, bullying and useless staff. This is not a school system I would recommend. They manipulate their numbers so the city can increase their tax base. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, February 8, 2017

I love this school system. Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, July 26, 2015

One doesn't have to worry about much of the disciplinary, influential issues seen or encountered in many other schools. At this school, kids are not only encouraged and expected to prioritize academics first and foremost but the non violent and very inclusive atmosphere allows them to focus on such academics and extra curricular activities (sports, drama and ROTC) One of the best special needs programs i have encountered. Teachers and students are very personable with a small town atmosphere and academic and athletic pride. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 22, 2013

It amazes me that no one has done anything to this school on how they treat students.
I have three sons, one that is gifted, one that is an athlete, and one that has special needs. I was told by this school system that they had room for my athlete and gifted children, but they were not suited for my special needs student. As a parent I was outraged. No wonder their numbers look good, if they get to pick and choose who comes and who goes. We do not get to pick our children and we love them ALL for who they are, and this school system should think about doing the same.
I took ALL my children to Jackson County school system, and they were overly acceptance of ALL my children. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Excellent school system. My oldest graduated in 2007 from JHS, went to North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU), graduated cum laude in 3-1/2 years in December 2010, and now has a job paying well above what I would have expected of a college graduate. Jefferson School System gives your children the tools to succeed - they have to use those tools to their advantage. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, September 5, 2011

jefferson has always manipulated their numbers, the comprehensive school in town is given the pregnant teens, at risk youth and handicapped students. the gordon st. school was recently rezoned out of the jefferson city district into the county. its simple math really. increase your mean number by subtracting negatives, such as students with historically low test scores such as pregnant teens, disabled, at risk etc. jeffrson is a model of despicable politicians trying to increase their tax base. it will catch up with them one day. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Jefferson High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	470	470
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	431	431
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	431	431
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	458	458
1994	397	89	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	487
1995	431	100	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	536
1996	431	100	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	536
1997	444	108	5	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	561
1998	471	121	6	5	2	n/a	n/a	0	605
1999	494	127	5	12	2	n/a	n/a	0	640
2000	264	51	11	5	2	n/a	n/a	0	333
2001	258	60	14	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	341
2002	277	61	8	9	1	n/a	n/a	0	356
2003	277	61	8	9	1	n/a	n/a	0	356
2004	336	66	6	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	421
2005	384	61	7	15	1	n/a	n/a	6	474
2006	442	69	16	17	0	n/a	n/a	13	557
2007	494	78	18	34	2	n/a	n/a	7	633
2008	503	87	15	36	2	n/a	n/a	13	656
2009	540	80	15	40	1	n/a	n/a	14	690
2010	599	75	10	45	1	1	6	0	737
2011	633	73	13	50	0	0	9	0	778
2012	660	61	18	45	1	0	9	0	794
2013	689	68	17	51	1	0	15	0	841
2014	699	74	14	56	1	0	18	0	862
2015	750	73	15	75	1	0	21	0	935
2016	794	79	15	78	0	2	35	0	1003
2017	846	84	18	87	0	2	34	0	1071
2018	861	85	24	94	1	2	36	0	1103
2019	884	97	28	90	1	2	32	0	1134
2020	921	103	24	101	2	0	33	0	1184
2021	895	105	22	98	2	0	31	0	1153
2022	913	100	29	108	4	0	35	0	1189
2023	933	103	28	103	4	0	43	0	1214
2024	952	122	38	115	3	0	45	0	1275

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Jefferson High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	470	30.0	15.6	15.3
1991	431	30.0	14.3	13.2
1992	431	30.5	14.1	17.6
1993	458	29.0	15.8	20.5
1994	487	32.0	15.2	16.8
1995	536	36.7	14.6	22.4
1996	536	36.7	14.6	22.4
1997	561	37.1	15.1	25.1
1998	605	38.2	15.8	26.4
1999	640	40.2	15.9	29.1
2000	333	32.0	10.4	19.8
2001	341	25.5	13.4	21.1
2002	356	31.4	11.3	23.3
2003	356	31.4	11.3	23.3
2004	421	27.8	15.1	27.6
2005	474	32.9	14.4	17.9
2006	557	34.4	16.2	20
2007	633	45.6	13.9	19.8
2008	656	45.1	14.5	28.1
2009	690	45.4	15.2	25.9
2010	737	46.4	15.8	28.6
2011	778	45.5	17.0	28.3
2012	794	45.6	17.4	28.1
2013	841	44.6	18.8	28.1
2014	862	46.1	18.6	25.1
2015	935	48.0	19.4	27.3
2016	1003	54.0	18.5	23
2017	1071	61.6	17.3	22.8
2018	1103	66.0	16.7	21.7
2019	1134	67.6	16.7	20.4
2020	1184	70.0	16.9	18.9
2021	1153	71.2	16.1	19.3
2022	1189	72.2	16.4	n/a
2023	1214	70.8	17.1	17
2024	1275	77.6	16.4	27.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Jefferson High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	470	30.0	15.6	15.3
1991	431	30.0	14.3	13.2
1992	431	30.5	14.1	17.6
1993	458	29.0	15.8	20.5
1994	487	32.0	15.2	16.8
1995	536	36.7	14.6	22.4
1996	536	36.7	14.6	22.4
1997	561	37.1	15.1	25.1
1998	605	38.2	15.8	26.4
1999	640	40.2	15.9	29.1
2000	333	32.0	10.4	19.8
2001	341	25.5	13.4	21.1
2002	356	31.4	11.3	23.3
2003	356	31.4	11.3	23.3
2004	421	27.8	15.1	27.6
2005	474	32.9	14.4	17.9
2006	557	34.4	16.2	20
2007	633	45.6	13.9	19.8
2008	656	45.1	14.5	28.1
2009	690	45.4	15.2	25.9
2010	737	46.4	15.8	28.6
2011	778	45.5	17.0	28.3
2012	794	45.6	17.4	28.1
2013	841	44.6	18.8	28.1
2014	862	46.1	18.6	25.1
2015	935	48.0	19.4	27.3
2016	1003	54.0	18.5	23
2017	1071	61.6	17.3	22.8
2018	1103	66.0	16.7	21.7
2019	1134	67.6	16.7	20.4
2020	1184	70.0	16.9	18.9
2021	1153	71.2	16.1	19.3
2022	1189	72.2	16.4	n/a
2023	1214	70.8	17.1	17
2024	1275	77.6	16.4	27.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Jefferson High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$309 (4.2%)	$7,062 (95.8%)	$7,371
2018	$388 (4.9%)	$7,582 (95.1%)	$7,970
2019	$339 (4.1%)	$7,927 (95.9%)	$8,266

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Jefferson High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 28^th of 438 High schools	Ranks 12^th of 442 High schools	3.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Jefferson High School)	72.8	65.1	7.7%
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Jefferson City)	72.8	65.1	7.7%
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Georgia)	47.3	38.9	8.4%
End of Course Coordinate Algebra (Jefferson High School)	65.6	71.4	5.8%
End of Course Coordinate Algebra (Jefferson City)	65.6	71.4	5.8%
End of Course Coordinate Algebra (Georgia)	33.7	26.4	7.3%
End of Course Biology (Jefferson High School)	61.8	75.3	13.5%
End of Course Biology (Jefferson City)	61.8	75.3	13.5%
End of Course Biology (Georgia)	49	45.5	3.5%
End of Course United States History (Jefferson High School)	76.9	68.7	8.2%
End of Course United States History (Jefferson City)	76.9	68.7	8.2%
End of Course United States History (Georgia)	48.3	37.1	11.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1134	1214	7.1%
African American	97	103	6.2%
American Indian	1	4	300%
Asian	28	28
Hispanic	90	103	14.4%
Pacific Islander	2	0	100%
White	884	933	5.5%
Two or More Races	32	43	34.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	20.4%	17%	3.4%

Schools Near Jefferson High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment American Literature and Composition (2024)	Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2024)	Milestones Assessment Biology (2024)	Milestones Assessment United States History (2024)	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)	Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)	Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment American Literature and Composition End of Course	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment Biology End of Course	Milestones Assessment United States History End of Course	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Jefferson High School	Public	9-12	575 Washington St	Jefferson	30549	Jackson County	Jefferson City	No	No	No	No	(706) 367-2881	1,275	78	16.4	27.9%	952 (74.7%)	122 (9.6%)	115 (9.0%)	38 (3.0%)	3 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (3.5%)	81.1	46^th of 458 public high schools	90.0%		92.6	12^th of 442 public high schools	97.3%	34	62.8	61.2	66.6	70.8				$8,266	$339	$7,927
Jackson County High School	Public	9-12	152 Jaxco Jct	Hoschton	30548	Jackson County	Jackson County	No	No	No	No	(706) 367-5003	2,042	103	19.8	42.5%	1,269 (62.1%)	209 (10.2%)	395 (19.3%)	77 (3.8%)	8 (0.4%)	3 (0.1%)	81 (4.0%)	67.4	97^th of 458 public high schools	78.8%		60.7	118^th of 442 public high schools	73.3%	21	53.9	31.9	61.5	49.4				$8,575	$356	$8,220
East Jackson Comprehensive High School	Public	8-12	1435 Hoods Mill Rd	Commerce	30529	Jackson County	Jackson County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 336-8900	1,353	89	15.1	65.1%	878 (64.9%)	101 (7.5%)	298 (22.0%)	15 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	61 (4.5%)	50.4	183^rd of 458 public high schools	60.0%		52.6	159^th of 442 public high schools	64.0%	24	33.8	33.7	51.1	47.4	41.3	37.8	32.0	$9,489	$538	$8,951
Commerce High School	Public	9-12	272 Lakeview Dr	Commerce	30529	Jackson County	Commerce City	No	No	No	No	(706) 335-5942	546	40	13.7	55.7%	353 (64.7%)	63 (11.5%)	97 (17.8%)	7 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (4.8%)	65.2	105^th of 458 public high schools	77.1%		65.9	94^th of 442 public high schools	78.7%	11	47.6	57.7	54.8	43.0				$10,302	$258	$10,044
Winder-Barrow High School	Public	9-12	272 N 5th Ave	Winder	30680	Barrow County	Barrow County	No	No	No	No	(770) 867-4519	1,856	122	15.1	55.8%	905 (48.8%)	284 (15.3%)	475 (25.6%)	100 (5.4%)	5 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	87 (4.7%)	40.9	237^th of 458 public high schools	48.3%		53.2	154^th of 442 public high schools	65.2%	83	28.2	37.2	46.4	32.7				$8,085	$370	$7,715
Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy	Public	9-12	1007 Austin Rd	Winder	30680	Barrow County	Barrow County	No	No	No	No	(678) 425-2903	943	58	16.2	49.1%	533 (56.5%)	108 (11.5%)	190 (20.1%)	61 (6.5%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	49 (5.2%)	84.7	34^th of 458 public high schools	92.6%					(n/a)	57.3	77.0	70.4	56.5
Banks County High School	Public	9-12	1486A Historic Homer Hwy	Homer	30547	Banks County	Banks County	No	No	No	No	(706) 677-2221	859	64	13.5	62.9%	679 (79.0%)	18 (2.1%)	120 (14.0%)	9 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (3.7%)	43.2	221^st of 458 public high schools	51.7%		45.8	202^nd of 442 public high schools	54.3%	19	36.1	20.5	31.0	53.4				$9,784	$437	$9,347
Foothills Regional High School	Public	9-12	2415 Jefferson Rd Ste B	Athens	30607	Clarke County	State Specialty Schools I- Foothills Regional High School	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 795-2191	2,157	29	73.6	78.0%	933 (43.3%)	794 (36.8%)	282 (13.1%)	17 (0.8%)	3 (0.1%)	1 (0.0%)	127 (5.9%)	42.4	225^th of 458 public high schools	50.9%		50.7	168^th of 442 public high schools	62.0%	57	33.5	13.5	33.3	36.4				$9,769	$303	$9,466
Classic City High School	Public	9-12	440 Dearing Ext	Athens	30606	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 353-2323	62	5	12.1	58.1%	6 (9.7%)	49 (79.0%)	4 (6.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.8%)	7.3	434^th of 458 public high schools	5.2%					(n/a)	2.1			11.8				$21,598	$1,720	$19,878
Clarke Central High School	Public	9-12	350 S Milledge Ave	Athens	30605	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 357-5200	1,842	117	15.7	57.7%	496 (26.9%)	736 (40.0%)	484 (26.3%)	38 (2.1%)	2 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	83 (4.5%)	50	187^th of 458 public high schools	59.2%		45.2	206^th of 442 public high schools	53.4%	19	39.1	39.5	46.4	35.4				$9,892	$1,201	$8,691

Jefferson High School

Jefferson City:

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Rank History for Jefferson High School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Jefferson High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Jefferson High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Jefferson High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Jefferson High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Jefferson High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Jefferson High School