Our Program
Mission Statement: Building upon the foundation of the Core Knowledge Sequence, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy partners with families to educate students in grades K-12 in the trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, thus graduating thoughtful, articulate young adults who are prepared for college and for a lifetime of citizenship and active intellectual inquiry.
GPA Scale:
Honors Classes – Add 0.5 Point
AP Classes – Add 1 Point
A: 90-100 = 4.0
B: 80-89 = 3.0
C: 70- 79 = 2.0
D: 60-69 = 1.0
F: 0-59 No GPA Points Awarded
Accreditation: The school is accredited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina Office of Charter Schools.
Accolades: In 2021, US News & World Report ranked TJCA the #7 best high school in North Carolina and the #70 best charter high school in the nation. Based on that report, TJCA is among the top 2% of high schools in the nation.
Advanced Placement Courses: For the 2021-2022 school year, the following 20 Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered: English Language & Composition, English Literature & Composition, European History, US History, US Government, World History, Human Geography, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science Principles, Computer Science A, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics C: Mechanics, Music Theory, Studio Art (Photography/2-D Design and Drawing). Students are also allowed to take Advanced Placement courses not offered at TJCA through the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS). All students who take AP classes are required to take the corresponding AP Exam in order to earn the additional AP credit toward their GPA. AP Courses are awarded one (1) extra quality point on the GPA. *NOTE: 9th-grade students are not allowed to take any AP courses; 10th-grade students are very limited in the AP course options available to them.
Honors Courses: For the 2021-2022 school year, the following 31 Honors level courses are offered: English I, II, III, and IV, World History, European History, American History I & II, Civics & Economics, Logic, Math II/Geometry, Math III/Algebra II, Math IV, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, Latin III & IV, Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Human Anatomy, Astronomy, Pre-Veterinary Science, Environmental Science, Philosophy, Theater Arts III & IV, Rhetoric, Choir III & IV, and Orchestra III & IV. Honors Courses are given one-half (0.5) extra quality point on the GPA.
Graduation Requirements and Class Schedules: TJCA students meet the requirements for the North Carolina course of study, with additional TJCA requirements. Students must earn at least these minimum requirements: 4 English credits, 4 Social Studies Credits, 4 Science Credits, 4 Math Credits, 3 Foreign Language Credits (including Latin I and II), 1 Rhetoric Credit, 1 Logic Credit, 1 Art History Credit, and 1 Health/PE credit. The school schedule is a traditional year (180 day), 8 periods per day schedule, with all classes meeting for 50 minutes for the entire academic year. Most classes meet Monday-Friday; however, some elective courses may meet only on MWF or T/Th. Students are also allowed to do an independent study with teachers for classes before or after school for courses they cannot fit into their regular day schedule.
Attendance Policy: For classes that meet Monday-Friday, students must not miss more than 18 days to earn a passing grade. For classes that meet on MWF, students must not miss more than 12 days to earn a passing grade. For classes that meet on T/Th, students must not miss more than 6 classes to earn a passing grade.
High School Extracurricular Activities: Academic Team, Art Club, ASL Club, 4H, Beta Club, Chess Club, Chorus, Classical Guitar, Debate, Drama, Equestrian Club, FBLA, FCA, FTA, Jr. Civitan, Jr. Classical League, National Honor Society, National Latin Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, New Century Scholars, Orchestra, Outdoor Club, Speech and Debate, Science Olympiad, Stock Market Club, Student Council, Theater
College Attendance Rates: For the Class of 2020 (82 students), 70% planned to enroll in a four-year college/university; 27% planned to attend a community or technical college; 3% planned to enter the workforce
ACT Data:
Average ACT composite scores for TJCA juniors by graduating year:
2022: 22.4
2021: 22.8
2020: 21.9
2019: 22.2
2018: 22.9