With adult guidance, students set personal achievement goals and monitor their own progress. Students who perform below grade level receive additional instruction, encouragement and support. The school places special emphasis on math, science and technology. Extended class periods provide double the uninterrupted instructional time of traditional classes. This schedule allows integration of subjects such as English and history, or science and math, creating opportunities for in-depth learning.
Students take a variety of courses in the arts, language, business, finance and politics.
Students are taught that they can make a difference in their communities through service learning and active community involvement. They learn that they can take control of their own lives through education. Students learn to be self-disciplined as a result of meeting higher standards in dress, behavior and achievement every day. Jefferson is the first public middle school in the country to convert to separate classes for boys and girls. Since 1996, however, California has had at least six pilot programs ranging from 60 to 180 students.