Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

27 Martin Luther King Jr Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07201

www.epsnj.org/Domain/8

1,144 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy, located in the heart of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is a specialized public high school dedicated to integrating rigorous academic study with immersive training in the performing and visual arts. As part of the Elizabeth Public Schools district, the academy serves as a creative hub for students who are passionate about disciplines such as dance, theater, music, and fine arts. The school is designed to provide a conservatory-style environment where students balance their core curriculum requirements with intensive studio work, preparing them for both higher education and professional pathways within the creative industries.

The school is well-regarded for its commitment to cultivating artistic talent alongside academic excellence, fostering a community that values innovation, discipline, and self-expression. By providing students with access to specialized facilities and expert instruction, Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy encourages its scholars to develop a well-rounded portfolio and a deep understanding of their chosen craft. Its location at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza positions it as a vibrant center of culture within the city, playing a significant role in the academic and artistic development of Elizabeth’s youth.

1,144

Total Students

79.0

Full-Time Teachers

14.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

80.5%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	80
Hispanic	865
Black	190
Asian	6
Two or More	1
Pacific Islander	1

Hispanic
865 (75.7%)
Black
190 (16.6%)
White
80 (7.0%)
Asian
6 (0.5%)
Two or More
1 (0.1%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.1%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Elizabeth Public Schools
Phone:	(908)436-6767
Website:	http://www.epsnj.org/Domain/8
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	1,144
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	79.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	14.5
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	797
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	124

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 296

Grade 10 297

Grade 11 282

Grade 12 269