Most academic competitions require a competitive try-out for team membership.
In addition to the competitions listed above Thomas Jefferson annually holds a Spelling Bee, Poetry Contest, and other grade level contests within the school. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade recipients must attain an A in each class that meets daily during the entire school year and at least a B in other classes. Eligibility for this recognition excludes the first marking period of each academic year because a percentage of this time is spent on review rather than new material. To be eligible at the beginning of the school year, a student must be taking five solid subjects in that grade level. A grade of F in the fourth grading period causes a student to be on academic probation at the beginning of the next school year.