Thomas Jefferson

This fall, Asian-Americans made up more than half of Jefferson’s freshman class. The low enrollment of African-American and Hispanic students is cause for concern among county leaders.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

To study environmental technologies, kids are building a two-room structure—one room made conventionally and one made with “green” design and materials.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

At lunch, kids eat wherever they want—one way Jefferson breaks with high-school conventions to give students a sense of ownership.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

The neuroscience lab—the newest of 13 labs—is popular with students considering careers in medicine.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

Dissecting a leech in the neuroscience lab.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

Senior Maita Esteban dissects a leech in the neuroscience lab using a microscope with a computer display.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

Ellie Clougherty, Class of 2009, is a professional model who’s done shoots for Target, Macy’s, Kohl’s.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

Seniors in the energy-systems lab build a solar-powered vehicle.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

Jeanette Du, who’s been selected three times for All-State orchestra, also plays with the American Youth Philharmonic, a competitive orchestra of the area’s most accomplished young musicians.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

Brian Murphy, an All-District soccer player last year, plans to study chemical engineering at the University of Virginia.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

Principal Evan Glazer makes an appearance on his Segway.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Courtesy of Thomas Jefferson

Only about 16 percent of the roughly 3,000 students who apply to Jefferson each year get in.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

The yearbook draws a crowd at the end of the term last year.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

Students prepare for a reenactment as part of a history class.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

Part of the Jefferson cafeteria is set aside as a lounge for seniors.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

A research project in the oceanography lab focused on hearing in fish.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden

Freshmen in a design-and-technology class created a Rube Goldberg machine.

Thomas Jefferson Photograph by Matthew Worden