Top 30 Best Boarding School in the U.S. Top 2% Best High School for STEM in the U.S. | Top 1.7% Best College Prep Private High School in the U.S.
Top 2% Best Private High School in the U.S. | #1 Best Boarding School in Missouri
Small by design. Our campus of 81 boarding and day students is like a family. You are known. You are cared for.
Varsity academics. Our classical, core, college prepatory curriculum was designed for an academically talented student.
360 degree college prep: Students immerse themselves in the arts, athletics, friendships, and clubs.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 85 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $60,550
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $32,375
- Acceptance rate: 65%
- Average class size: 14 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 8 / Jan. 9 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Thomas Jefferson School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 307 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Faculty Education
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
7-12
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1946
1909
Campus Size
20 acres
125 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
85 students
300 students
% Students of Color
52%
25%
% International Students
27%
20%
% Students Boarding
37%
70%
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1400 - 1580
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
15
17
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
93%
70%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$2.5 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$60,550
(5-day boarding and 7-day boarding options are available.)
(5-day boarding and 7-day boarding options are available.)
$59,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$32,375
$33,500
Tuition international students
$62,600
$53,975
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
(5 Day Boarding)
$55,175
$44,000
% Students on Financial Aid
46%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$22,556
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Dec. 8 / Jan. 9 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
65%
58%
Director of Admissions
Jennifer Kott
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
15
17
Courses
AP BiologyAP Calculus BC
AP ChemistryAP Comparative Government & Politics
AP Computer Science PrinciplesAP Economics
AP English Language & CompositionAP English Literature & Composition
AP FrenchAP Macroeconomics
AP MicroeconomicsAP Physics
AP Physics 2AP Statistics
AP U.S. Government & PoliticsAP U.S. History
ItalianLatin may be offered at the discretion of the department
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
4
16
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
25
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Art and Literature MagazineArt Club
Athletics CommitteeBoarding Council
Chess ClubChorus and Select Chorus
Coffee ShopFilm Club
FIRST RoboticsGay Straight Alliance
Junior Achievement ClubLARP
Spirit ClubWhispers (Yearbook)
Arts and Music Programs:
DrawingImprovisation
Music AppreciationMusic Ensemble
Set Design
Recreational Athletic Programs:
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
Washington University in St. Louis
4
Knox College
3
Northwestern University
3
University of Chicago
3
American University
2
New York University
2
Smith College
2
The Johns Hopkins University
2
Bowdoin College
1
Stanford University
1
School Notes
- The top-ranked Thomas Jefferson School (TJ) is internationally recognized as one of the best boarding and day schools. TJ stands in the Top 2% in the U.S. for Best High Schools for STEM and Best College Prep Private High Schools. Since 1946, TJ has instilled intellectual rigor and personal and social responsibility in its students as they prepare for college life. Visit the picturesque campus and experience what makes TJ one of the top schools in the country! Learn more at www.tjs.org.
- Application deadline: January 10/Rolling
- Top 2% Best Private High Schools in the U.S. (niche.com)
- 1450/31 is the average SAT/ACT score
- Thomas Jefferson School accreditations: ISACS, NAIS, TABS
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Hon. Thomas P. Griesa, '48 - Frmr US District Judge
- Mr. Bernat Rosner, '50 - Frmr General Counsel of Safeway; Author
- Mr. John H. Biggs, '54 - Director of Boeing Co.; Frmr CEO of TIAA-Cref
- Mr. Irv Williamson, 61 - US International Trade Commissioner
- Dr. Richard Levy, '63 - Pediatric Endocrinologist
- Mr. Keith Williamson, '70 - Senior VP and General Counsel for Centene Corporation
- Ms. Aimee Dowl, '92 - US Department of State; Author
- Dr. Dave Messina, '92 - COO at Cofactor Genomics
- Ms. Alisa Tang, '92 - Editor, Washington Post
- School Motto: ὴ ἀρετή
- School Mascot: Titan
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Thomas Jefferson School cost?
Thomas Jefferson School's tuition is approximately $60,550 for boarding students and $32,375 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Thomas Jefferson School?
The acceptance rate of Thomas Jefferson School is 65%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 58%.
Who are famous alumni from Thomas Jefferson School?
Thomas Jefferson School famous alumni include: Hon. Thomas P. Griesa, '48, Mr. Bernat Rosner, '50, Mr. John H. Biggs, '54, Mr. Irv Williamson, 61, Dr. Richard Levy, '63, Mr. Keith Williamson, '70, Ms. Aimee Dowl, '92, Dr. Dave Messina, '92 and Ms. Alisa Tang, '92.
What sports does Thomas Jefferson School offer?
Thomas Jefferson School offers 4 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Soccer, Tennis and Volleyball.
Does Thomas Jefferson School offer a summer program?
Yes, Thomas Jefferson School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Thomas Jefferson School's ranking?
Thomas Jefferson School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percent faculty with advanced degrees, High average SAT scores and High ACT scores.
When is the application deadline for Thomas Jefferson School?
The application deadline for Thomas Jefferson School is Dec. 8 / Jan. 9 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 8 / Jan. 9 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
while T.J. advertises itself as a bastion of classical education, I think that its size and its English program really make it stand out. English at Thomas Jefferson is a serious matter; students learn the. . .
Thomas Jefferson academics are extremely rigorous and are the central focus of the student body and faculty. That said, the school has broadened the variety of extracurricular activities and options over the last few. . .
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Thomas Jefferson School also viewed these schools: Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, Deerfield Academy and Choate Rosemary Hall.
The nearest boarding school to Thomas Jefferson School is Chaminade College Preparatory School (7.6 miles away)
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