In May 2025 voters approved full funding to modernize Jefferson High School. Construction kicks-off this school year, with new, state-of-the-art facilities openingin Fall 2029. Jefferson students will remain on-site during construction. Learn more at www.pps.net/domain/8568.

Later this Fall PPS will propose making Jefferson a comprehensive high school with a regular attendance boundary and ending the Dual Assignment choice. With this change, Jefferson enrollment is expected to grow, which will lead to increased academic, elective and support opportunities for students.

Dual Assignment was created in 2011, giving students living in Jefferson’s boundary two guaranteed options: Jefferson High School and a nearby comprehensive high school (Grant, McDaniel, or Roosevelt). It was designed to support Jefferson’s Middle College program with PCC, but it also led to fragmented enrollment across schools.

Jefferson enrollment has declined as all the schools surrounding it have been modernized. Now it’s Jefferson’s turn to rise. Students should not have to leave their community to access robust programs.

The PPS Board of Education will vote on a new enrollment plan for Jefferson High School in early 2026.

The Board will decide the start date, but it is most likely to take effect beginning in Fall 2027 with the class of 2031. If approved, the most likely impact is:

• Current 7th grade students (Class of 2031) will be the first group who havea single neighborhood high school instead of a Dual Assignment choice.

• Students in 8th grade this year (Class of 2030) will select their high school through Dual Assignment choice. Selections are due by Winter Break 2025.

• Current high schoolers are not impacted by the proposed changes.

No. Families can still apply to other schools using the transfer petition process or apply to schools like Benson (focus option) or MLC (alternative school). Those options are still available.

Proposals will be released in October, and community members will have opportunities to provide feedback before a final plan goes to the School Board.

Updates will be available through Jefferson HS, all twelve Jefferson feeder elementary, K-8 and middle schools and on the PPS website.