Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology

Posted: May 2, 2026

Posted: May 2, 2026

Posted: May 2, 2026

Posted: May 2, 2026

The largest concern is that the principal Michael Mukai appears to be concerned more about himself and makes you feel like you should be thankful that they admitted you. He is very full of himself and if you have an issue, you can go back to your base school. I do not know how previous principals were.

Posted: February 27, 2026

I graduated from Thomas Jefferson 50 years ago, when it wasn't a Magnet school! Is there any alumni groups doing 50th reunion??

Posted: April 10, 2025

This place is very nice, me like it a lot. When I come here, feel like best place in world. The workers, they so nice, always smile and help me when I no understand. They make me feel good.

Food here is so yummy, like best food I ever eat! I eat here all time, cannot stop. The pizza, it very cheesy and so good! And drinks, they cold and refreshing, good for hot days. I tell all my friends to come here too because we have much fun together.

Chairs is comfy, I can sit long time without feel tired. I like to relax and watch people while I eat. Music they play is nice, make me want to dance sometimes. Atmosphere is warm and friendly, it feel good.

Sometimes they have events, like game night and movie night. I go to one and make new friends. Place look pretty too, with nice lights and decorations. Every time I come, I feel happy and excited to be here.

Posted: April 10, 2025

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Posted: December 4, 2024

This school is so bad my kid lost interest in studies for ever. please don't send your kid to this school. only if your kid is super genius like Elon mask then send it. if not don't send it. send to base school they can get good collage and they can enjoy the studies.

Posted: December 4, 2024

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Posted: December 4, 2024

Posted: September 28, 2020

As a parent of two children who went to TJ, this was the best value for taxpayer money if you can get in. Our children were somewhere in the middle of the application pool that did get selected and were able to navigate the 4 years albeit with the odd difficulty now and then. If 8th grade is where you lose your home room and roam the corridors lost, TJ is the place where you feel like you are readying yourself for the college journey - Some sink, some swim, some tread water.

Posted: September 28, 2020

We had two kids in TJ that were four years apart. Homework was challenging (as it usually is in high school) and turned out to be great preparation for college. TJ is really geared for people who want to go on to challenging colleges and not rest on a high school diploma.

Posted: September 28, 2020

In my own two children, I see deep evidence of strength, integrity, self confidence, and a sense of mental freedom that were augmented by the school. They have braved many storms in college and life after college and the high school toughening was a big factor in my opinion.

Posted: September 28, 2020

Navigating a magnet school in the storm tossed ocean of education funding is challenging. Herding together staff in the face of a very demanding student and parent population is in itself a daunting task.Brave is the man or woman who runs TJ as the principal!

Posted: September 28, 2020

I do not know much about this aspect of TJ

Posted: September 28, 2020

Bullying is usually worked out between peer groups. The involvement of the school comes when there is organized bullying and victims have little recourse with their peers to resolve the situation. The fact of the matter is that the intensity of the program does not leave much time for bullying and the peer groups tend to ostracize the bullies. There is no "jock" culture in a place like TJ to my best belief.

Posted: May 3, 2019

Posted: May 3, 2019

Posted: May 3, 2019

Tough academics but fair grading and strong teaching leads to a great atmosphere and environment for learning and development.

Posted: May 3, 2019

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Posted: June 28, 2017

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Posted: June 28, 2017

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Posted: June 28, 2017

It is really an amazing community if you work hard

Posted: September 5, 2016

Posted: September 5, 2016

Posted: July 13, 2016

Posted: July 13, 2016

TJ offers many opportunities if the student is motivated and wants to learn. What makes the school great is the people. Students work well together and develop lasting friendships. There are many great teachers who are open-minded and really care about students. TJ also offers safe learning environment. But, I should mention that TJ is not for everyone. Many classes use college textbooks and move at a pretty fast pace. You will have to work very hard to do well at TJ.

Posted: July 13, 2016

Posted: July 13, 2016

Posted: May 21, 2016

High Stress, pressure environment. Kids self teach college level curriculum while teachers are NOT qualified to teach at that level. 70% Asian - study study, and more studying. Everything is the child's fault if you have a problem - not studying hard enough, not organized, not smart enough. Good luck....

Posted: January 12, 2016

Posted: January 12, 2016

Posted: January 12, 2016

Posted: February 28, 2015

TJ is a great school if your kid is a certain type. No, I don't mean an off-the-charts math whiz, though that helps. Or the kind of kid who would get a swirly from the school bully. TJ kids have inner drive. If they don't know something, they go look it up without being told, because it bugs them they they don't know. They also have excellent time management skills. If your kid is the kind of child that loves STEM -- and I mean loves it innately, and not just because Mommy and Daddy think they should and gives them a science kit for Christmas--, they will have a wonderful experience at TJ. The teachers range from mediocre to excellent but the kids are friendly, the administration is efficient and the facilities are excellent.

Posted: July 28, 2014

This school is not for everyone, but those who go here love it. It's mostly what you make of it really, but with the plethora of sports and 8th period clubs it's not hard to find something you enjoy. Get involved in clubs. I tried two new sports my freshmen year and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. Join 8th period clubs, don't be that kid who only goes to study halls. Don't be afraid of being judged, because the environment here at TJ is one of the best parts about the school. There is almost no clique problem or drama because of the great environment, but I guess that can change person to person. If you're curious about the social life at tj: people there do have time for friends, but often they just hang out at sports or clubs (see above comment). You get used to it. It's mostly just the seniors who party and drink, unless you're in the party scene. However, there's far less pressure for that sort of thing. People respect you and your choices and your background. DEFINITELY DO INITE. Try at least one of the "cult" clubs to see how you like it (crew, swim and dive, Latin, marching band, namaste, track & field, etc.) PARENTS: DO NOT FORCE YOUR KID HERE

Posted: September 9, 2013

Sent email to Student counselor and did not get response for over two weeks.. Automated email says there are hundreds of pending requests for schedule change and counselor has no clue which student is attending what class (AB or BC Calculus) Tried to find the reason behind it and most of the students say their assigned teachers are really bad and seems like there is only one good teacher for that subject (BC calculus -junior class) and everyone wants to get in to that class.. God save students of Thomas Jefferson from these teachers, counselors and highly efficient management !!!

Posted: August 1, 2013

I find it hard to imagine a better High School experience for my now-graduated daughter, who attends Cornell. TJ had wonderful teachers, overall, and a student body comprised of very mature, honest, articulate, motivated, but fun loving students. That said, I really believe that this school is not for every student, but that the self motivated students will thrive. TJ offers not only a vastly superior academic environment but also truly good sports teams, as well as theater and music and MANY other club opportunities. During my daughter's time there I only recall one incident of theft, and NO incidents of bullying. If your student has the opportunity to attend, and really loves to learn, by all means attend this school.

Posted: June 27, 2013

Amazing. The Only problem is that taxes are high because of materials the school buys every week to support your child. It is very time consuming and it is very hard to get in. But, it's a WONDERFUL, OUTSTANDING school

Posted: April 4, 2013

[cont'd student body] No, most people don't have the time to hang out each weekend or to run by Moe's for a burrito after class (my twin went to base school and in a well-intentioned effort to draw me out of studying, my base school friends would often take me along, textbooks in tow, for just that very thing). Oh yes, it is QUITE a dedication of time and effort. I don't think that it's for everybody and I know a lot of bright individuals who, because they weren't ready for that kind of work at 14-18 years of age, would have loathed TJ. However, if you think you can manage it-- go for it. What all of that said: It is NOT a big deal if you don't get into TJ. One of my closest friends didn't manage to get into Jefferson. This shocked all of us in middle school-- the girl has serious brains! But the beauty of self-determination is that it's not a one-shot effort. She went to base school, did well, loved her high school career and bam! Now she's at, I kid you not, MIT. For the record, the base school in question was barely in the bronze medal category of the U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Posted: February 6, 2013

The principal is a tool. My D was bullied by a teacher. Even another teacher in the room admitted the first one lost it. No apology and it took moving heaven and earth to have my D moved to a new class.

Posted: January 5, 2013

TJ is not all that it's hyped up to be. Sure the "academics" are great, but SAT scores don't tell the whole story. The environment here is toxic. The VAST majority of students care little about "STEM" and learning, most are here for one of 4 reasons: 1.Their parents are forcing them to attend 2.They would be bullied at other schools 3.Their lives consist entirely of studying 4.To get into a good college Speaking of schoolwork: the amount of cheating here is RIDICULOUS. Kids care more about getting into college than learning, and this shows in the amount of rampant cheating we have at TJ. TJ robs kids of a high school experience. TJ pulls from all over NOVA, but geographic distances make good friendships impossible until kids can drive. Sports are fun, but the time commitment can kill grades. Many parents mistakenly think TJ will protect their kids from Drugs/Alcohol. Sorry to disappoint, but at TJ drug use is just as common at other schools. The workload is insane. Many of my friends get 2-5 hours of sleep on an average night. In conclusion, TJ is an ok school if all you care about is learning, and don't intend on doing anything fun outside of it. Otherwise, don't come.

Posted: June 26, 2012

I think that this is a great school because of the exceptionally talented kids that attend and the amount and variety of the extra-curricular activities. Most of the teachers are amazing. TJHSST is one of the finest schools in the nation.

Posted: May 17, 2012

The students here are accomplished, the teachers are good for the high-level classes but generally awful for the lower-level ones. The academic culture here is toxic; everyone is focused on college and almost nobody cares about learning for its own sake. It's a safe environment for children who would be stuffed into trashcans at any other high school.