About Our School
Patrick Murphy, Superintendent
Jane Allaire, Principal
Lindsay Welsh, Assistant Principal
Jefferson Middle School is located on the west side of Olympia and was established in 1957 as a junior high school. The District changed its philosophy, and Jefferson made the transition to a three-grade middle school (6, 7, 8) when the building underwent a complete remodel in 1994. The science wing was restructured to house the JAMS (Jefferson Accelerated Math and Science) Program in 2012. All science classrooms were redesigned and enlarged providing rich interactive spaces for scientific work.
Fostering Growth, Inclusion, and Culturally Responsive Education
Jefferson Middle School is dedicated to continuous improvement and creating an inclusive and respectful campus environment that celebrates individual and group differences. Inclusionary practices and universally designed lessons are embedded throughout our curriculum to ensure all students have access to quality education. We also prioritize culturally responsive education, recognizing and valuing our students' diverse backgrounds and experiences. This commitment is supported by a strong emphasis on organization and a dedication to learning, fostered by the exemplary work ethic exhibited by all members of our school community.
Jefferson Middle School: A STEM-Focused Comprehensive Middle School
Jefferson Middle School, situated in Olympia's west side, was originally founded as a junior high in 1957 and evolved into a three-grade middle school in 1994 after a notable remodel. A significant overhaul in 2012 included introducing the JAMS (Jefferson Accelerated Math and Science) Program, offering accelerated science and math courses. In 2022, the school expanded its STEM offerings, catering to all students.
Schoolwide Program — TITLE I, Part A: Equity and Support for All Students
Jefferson Middle School embraces a schoolwide approach that supports all students. Every student benefits from interventions and services to meet academic standards through our schoolwide program. However, our instructional emphasis is on learners who face challenges in meeting these standards, ensuring they receive the necessary support for academic success. We strive to exceed the learning goals defined by state academic standards, working towards equity of opportunity for all students, particularly those who are low-achieving. Title I, the oldest and largest federal education program, promotes educational equity.
Electives and Jefferson Accelerated Math and Science Program (JAMS)
At Jefferson Middle School, we recognize the importance of giving students various choices and opportunities to explore their interests and talents. We offer a wide selection of elective courses that cover various subjects, including visual and performing arts, technology, engineering, robotics, gardening, and more. These electives allow students to delve deeper into areas they are passionate about and further develop their skills and knowledge.
In addition to electives, we offer accelerated advanced courses for students who demonstrate exceptional abilities and a strong desire for academic challenges. These courses provide a more rigorous curriculum and pace, allowing students to learn more in-depth and explore advanced concepts within their areas of interest. Our goal is to provide an enriching and stimulating educational experience that meets the needs of all our students, whether they seek additional challenges or want to explore different subjects.
Consistent Academic Growth and Strong Foundations for High School and Beyond
Jefferson Middle School is committed to fostering academic growth and preparing students for success through culturally responsive education and a focus on character-building skills and social-emotional learning. As a Title I school, collaboration among staff is prioritized to support all students regardless of socioeconomic background. Our motto, "Fiercely Dedicated to Excellence," underscores our commitment to academic excellence and preparing students for the challenges of the 21st-century workforce. We provide a rigorous curriculum emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, ensuring students leave with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in high school and beyond.
2023-24 School Facts
Based on the October 2023 enrollment report, there were 427 students enrolled at Jefferson Middle School.
The OSPI Report Card captures data for all enrolled students as of October 1 of each year. This total number DOES NOT provide a complete count of students Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) which districts receive funding. For additional resources on enrollment reporting and FTE calculations visit Washington OSPI Enrollment ReportingOpening in a new windowOpening in a new window.
Race/Ethnicity
|
Hispanic/Latino of any race(s)
|
14.8% |
Asian
|
11.7% |
White
|
53.6%
|
| Black/African American |
5.2% |
| American Native/Alaskan Native |
0.5% |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander |
0.7% |
Two or More Races
|
13.6% |
|
Student Demographics
|
| Male students |
52.9% |
| Female students |
45.9% |
| Gender X |
1.2% |
| Special Education |
21.25% |
Teacher Information
- Number of classroom teachers: 32
- Average years of teacher experience: 12.8
- Teachers with at least a Master's Degree: 68.8%
2023-24 District Operating Budget
Expenditures
|
Cost
|
Percentage
|
Teaching
|
$122,742,157
|
74.19% |
Building Administration
|
$10,093,012 |
6.10% |
| Maintenance & Operations |
$10,070,814 |
6.09% |
District Support
|
$4,555,830 |
2.75% |
Transportation
|
$4,941,521 |
2.99% |
| Technology |
$2,692,684 |
1.63% |
| Utilities & Insurance |
$5,778,606 |
3.49% |
Food Service
|
$4,346,598 |
2.63% |
| Other |
$214,669 |
0.13% |
| Total Expenditures |
$165,435,891 |
100.00% |
Revenue
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
State
|
$122,745,027 |
73.93% |
Local
|
$31,776,260 |
19.14% |
| Federal |
$9,618,166 |
5.79% |
| Other Revenue |
$969, 493 |
0.58% |
Other Financing Sources
|
$919,452 |
0.55% |
| Total Revenue |
$166,028,397 |
99.99% |
Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program
Washington students participate in state tests annually to assess their progress as well as the progress of our educational system as a whole.
Our state uses the Smarter Balanced assessment system, aligned to Washington’s K-12 Learning Standards. The scores below represent the percent of students meeting standard in three core subjects, ELA, Math, and for grades 5, 8, and 11, Science (Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science or WCAS).
2022-23 6th Grade SBA
|
|
2023-24 6th Grade SBA
|
|
Our School
|
Our District
|
WA State
|
|
Our School
|
Our District
|
WA State
|
| ELA |
62.2% |
54.3% |
46.3% |
|
68.2% |
56.9% |
46.4% |
| Math |
53.9% |
46.4% |
36.7% |
|
58.2 |
45.1% |
37.3% |
| Science |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
--- |
--- |
--- |
2022-23 7th Grade SBA
|
|
2023-24 7th Grade SBA
|
|
Our School
|
Our District
|
WA State
|
|
Our School
|
Our District
|
WA State
|
| ELA |
70.8% |
63.2% |
49.8% |
|
59.1% |
57.4% |
49.5% |
Math
|
52.4% |
49.2% |
36.8% |
|
54.4% |
53.4% |
37.8% |
2022-23 8th Grade SBA
|
|
2023-24 8th Grade SBA
|
|
Our School
|
Our District
|
WA State
|
|
Our School
|
Our District
|
WA State
|
| ELA |
66.7% |
61.0% |
48.5% |
|
66.2% |
59.7% |
47.1% |
Math
|
56.7% |
43.1% |
32.3% |
|
53.1% |
46.1% |
33.5% |
| Science |
63.8% |
59.4% |
41.4% |
|
65.4% |
57.3% |
40.2% |
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
MAP is a district assessment that measures a student's developing skills through a series of questions that adapt to the child’s level of learning. Research on MAP indicates the results are highly accurate. The results help teachers measure growth and determine whether a student may need more support or more challenge.
When students finish their MAP Growth test, they receive a number called an RIT score for each area they are tested in (reading, language usage, math, or science). This score represents a student’s achievement level at any given moment and helps measure their academic growth over time. The RIT scale is a stable scale, like feet and inches, that accurately measures student performance, regardless of age, grades, or grade level. Like marking height on a growth chart, and being able to see how tall your child is at various points in time, you can also see how much they have grown between tests.
The higher the RIT score, the more achievement the student has in the subject. The student's percentile ranking and conditional growth percentile can show how much the student has achieved in comparison with their peers. You can also refer to the Comparative Data to Inform Instructional Decisions to understand how students are performing relative to other students in the same grade level according to our national norms.
Jefferson Middle School Mission Statement
"A Healthy Place to Live and Learn" is the motto for Jefferson Middle School.
Olympia School District Vision
We envision a supportive environment that promotes trust, growth, and achievement of the highest standards. We build our capacity for success through leading-edge programs and operations based on continuous improvement. We have a 100 percent commitment to quality and excellence in all things.