• Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: k - 12
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 64,000
    Student Enrollment: 372
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2%
    White/Caucasian: 66%
    Hispanic: 28%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1%
    Asian: 2%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:16
    % Reduced Lunch: 30%
    % ELL Learners: 5%
    Founded: 2004
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jodi Endicott
  • CONTACT:
    1209 Adam Smith Avenue
    Caldwell, ID 83605
    208-455-8772
    jodi.endicott@tjcharterschool.org
Thomas Jefferson Charter School
Caldwell, ID
"Our mission is “Developing Virtuous Citizen Leaders.”
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Our mission is “Developing Virtuous Citizen Leaders”, and we maintain our belief in the Harbor Method of instruction. We believe that when you provide a safe harbor, all students can learn an accelerated curriculum at an accelerated pace. We focus on manners and kindness and believe that if students are provided a positive and kind environment, their learning will accelerate. At over 30% of our student population on free-and-reduced lunch, our test scores reflect consistent growth.
Our elementary and middle school curriculum is rigorous, our expectations are high, and students are expected to actively engage in their learning. The attendance policy requirement for students is 96%.
Secondary students are required to complete 62 credits to graduate, which is 14 credits more than state requirements. Our graduates often return to thank our staff for maintaining high educational standards and for being so personally invested in students’ education and success.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
The positivity in our school hasn’t resulted as much from change, as it has from remaining consistent. We have honored Harbor School best practices, teaching an accelerated curriculum at an accelerated pace in a safe learning environment. In our school, taking academic risk is celebrated, and we believe that if a student doesn’t understand a concept or skill today, tomorrow is another opportunity to learn and grow.
Our small school environment allows us to regularly analyze current data and immediately implement instructional support for students who are not scoring proficient on tests and/or grade level progress measures. We have maintained 97% attendance K-12 every year with the exception of the 21-22 school year where our school maintained 96% in-person attendance. During that difficult year, our students and staff were committed to in-person learning, and our students continued to grow and learn, resulting in some of our highest rates of academic growth.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding has provided additional Title 1 reading instruction for our students. Students are able to receive individualized instruction from well-trained staff. We have been able to purchase equipment to enhance our elementary music program. Additionally, we have added a significant amount of tools and resources to our secondary robotics programs.
ESEA funds have provided our teachers the opportunity to participate in professional development focusing on student academic growth. The results of this training have shown in our schoolwide, statewide, and national tests. We strive to make sure our professional development aligns with best instructional practices and with the Harbor Method of instruction, while not requiring teachers to leave the classroom to receive this training.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Our entire staff is currently completing newly-implemented dyslexia training to improve our reading and language instruction and intervention practices. We also continue to participate in Response to Intervention (RTI) professional development. This has given us the opportunity to develop even more of a cohesive bond as we work together as a staff to collectively meet the needs of each unique student who is struggling.

5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Our culture is special at Thomas Jefferson Charter School (TJCS). While cultural shifts take place around us, we strive to maintain the caring, respectful culture we have built within our school community. Our families and staff have a special bond, and there is a strong feeling of support and respect. Many of our graduated students have returned to either say thanks, or to bring their own children to our school. We even have hired teachers who received their education at TJCS and wanted to return to the environment that gave them their own successful start.
Our school demographics have remained consistent since we opened our doors in 2004. Our only shift has been the population increase and rapid development in our area. Our location in Idaho’s Treasure Valley is consistently rated one of the top 10 fastest-growing areas in the United States. Our staff works diligently to embrace new students as they join our accelerated curriculum and accelerated pace.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Parents are an enormous part of our school’s success. Our parents willingly spend time in classrooms participating in everything from small group instruction within the classroom to individual pull-out and intervention with students needing one-on-one support.
Parents also attend school activities outside of the school day. Because our field trips are scheduled outside of school hours to protect instructional time, our parents are instrumental in helping with coordination and facilitation. We host an annual STEM Night in which community organizations and parents volunteer and participate in innovative activities designed for the whole family to enjoy. We also host an Innovation Presentation Night in which students showcase year-long innovation projects. At the secondary level, students in grades 10-12 complete both an internship and community service project each year. We believe in the power of community, and we strive to help our students learn this importance as well.

Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: k - 12
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 64,000
    Student Enrollment: 372
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2%
    White/Caucasian: 66%
    Hispanic: 28%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1%
    Asian: 2%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:16
    % Reduced Lunch: 30%
    % ELL Learners: 5%
    Founded: 2004
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jodi Endicott
  • CONTACT:
    1209 Adam Smith Avenue
    Caldwell, ID 83605
    208-455-8772
    jodi.endicott@tjcharterschool.org