International Baccalaureate Institute at Thomas Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School achieves second IB World School designation

Jefferson High School has earned a second designation from the International Baccalaureate organization. This new designation authorizes the school to offer the Middle Years Programme for grades 9 and 10. In 2018, Jefferson was authorized to offer the Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12.

Either designation on its own classifies the school as an IB World School. This distinction is acclaimed worldwide because the IB programme’s active and engaging framework prepares students for college, and primes them to excel as lifelong learners in our global society.

“These designations are the culmination of more than three years of hard work, and we are proud of their accomplishment,” said Superintendent Pedro Martinez.

Jefferson’s newest designation makes it the first school in Bexar County to be authorized to provide MYP to high school 9th and 10th graders. It also is the only IB World School in the county, offering the programme for all high school grades.

“I am excited for the Thomas Jefferson High School community. This recognition is well deserved,” said Ralf Halderman, principal of Jefferson High School. “Our goal moving forward is to be a model International Baccalaureate World School that high schools throughout the country will want to emulate.”

SAISD boasts five IB World Schools in its district. IB World Schools Jefferson High School and Woodlawn Academy create a K-12 pathway in the Jefferson feeder. IB World Schools Burbank High School, Harris Middle School and Briscoe Elementary School create a K-12 pathway to an IB education in the Burbank feeder.

Four other SAISD schools in the Jefferson feeder are in their candidacy phases: elementary schools Huppertz and Woodlawn Hills, as well as Fenwick Academy and Longfellow Middle School.

SAISD is the only school district in the county to offer an IB education at the elementary, middle and high school levels. It offers the full IB continuum – Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes – in two SAISD high school feeder patterns.

SAISD hosts the largest number of IB and IB-candidate schools throughout Bexar County – totaling nine IB campuses, which serve approximately 5,750 students.