<p>I noticed that Thomas Jefferson School in St Louis was reported as one of the top boarding schools with one of the highest SAT scores. </p>
<p>However, I noticed that in the many discussions about top boarding schools I hardly see this school being mentioned. </p>
<p>I have looked at their official website and read boardingschoolreview. I would like to find out more and perhaps apply for my son to enrol in Grade 7</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>We’ve visited this school. I would describe it as a classical, formal environment. Definitely for the motivated, serious student. The faculty we met were extremely dedicated to the students. Not a lot of bells and whistles at all – think old school learning.</p>
<p>Not that detailed, but: [Parent</a> Reviews of Thomas Jefferson School - St. Louis, Missouri - MO](<a href=“Thomas Jefferson School - St. Louis, Missouri - MO | GreatSchools”>Thomas Jefferson School - St. Louis, Missouri - MO | GreatSchools)</p>
<p>I think it’s probably not big enough, with only 89 students; there probably aren’t many applicants. It needs to be advertised more. The word just needs to be spread. In comparison to Andover, Exeter, Choate, etc. They have been around longer and are more popular because they are more well known with age. It just has to do with getting the word out.</p>
<p>I would agree. It never showed up on our radar until after our D finalized her list. I think it doesn’t show up simply because its so small. But that may also mean they are highly selective. I worry that with a school that size, funding for FA candidates may be limited and a lot of our CC students need aid. Also - the school appears to empty out on weekends so the question is - how many students are left on campus who live too far to get home on the weekends. That may be another factor limiting it as a choice. Most popular schools are 24-7 lifestyles with a huge range of activities. Still - it looks impressive and for the rights student would be a great intimate place to go.</p>
<p>Thanks. I will contact the school.</p>
<p>Wow, 91 kids spread from grades 7 to PG? That’s about 15 kids average per grade-- barely enough to make a soccer team… Most BS schools have at least 91 kids per grade. Their website says “Everybody knows everybody”. </p>
<p>Boarding School Review says 60% boarding, so that would be 55 kids on campus.</p>
<p>I actually visited this school fall of seventh grade (my uncles live in St. Louis) and, while it has high academic standards, it seemed kind of sad to me. They didn’t even have a real theater and dorms were little houses made for four people each. The amount of boarding students is amazingly low, as GMTplus7 said. There aren’t a lot of kids there - fourteen other kids in your GRADE. It just wasn’t the right fit for me, though it may be perfect for someone else. Still, though, very, very small school.</p>
<p>Thanks STLmom23, Sparklefun, ExieMITAlum, GMTplus7 and aubreygal for the info.</p>
<p>It is tough for international students who can’t travel to visit the boarding schools to have a ‘feel’ of it. But your views are very helpful indeed.</p>
<p>No prob! PM me with any more questions! :D</p>
<p>I realize I am late to the party, but I attend this school and if anyone has any questions and would like a nonadmissions view, I can provide!</p>
I also go to Thomas Jefferson and I love it. And it is not a fit for everyone but it is my fit
Most of the time on the weekends, 7day boarders are out and about going to the store because we do have a bus that takes us places and picks us up.
Thanks for chiming in @quetzal1234 and @TJKid2132. Since this thread focuses on why Thomas Jefferson isn’t better known and the perceived disadvantages of a small school with a smaller number of boarders, any comments on why you chose the school and the number/experience of seven-day boarders in particular would be useful to this group.