At Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School, our mission is to provide an educational environment that will enable every child to reach his or her full potential. While facilities and resources clearly play a key role in your child’s education, we are committed to a foundation at a much deeper level—with common values and shared beliefs about life’s tremendous possibilities. When you get to know the Thomas Jefferson community, you will find a diverse group of individuals dedicated to developing active, responsible adults by challenging students to make the most of their abilities. You’ll find integrity, a respect for others, and a belief that everyone should have the opportunity to succeed based on merit. You’ll find a warm welcome for your family to join us.
Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School opened in August 1993 with grades Pre-School-9 and 185 students. The school now enrolls 260 students in grades Pre-Kindergarten-12. The school has graduated 13 classes, with a total of 206 graduates. All graduates have matriculated in undergraduate school, with more than 75 college graduates among TJ alumni. The school employs 29 full-time teachers, 75% of whom hold advanced degrees in their disciplines.
Joplin is a community of 45,000 with the greater Joplin area enclosing a population of 135,000. The community is the economic center of a four-state area. The quality of its work force, cost of housing, inexpensiveness and availability of energy, and general hospitality to commerce and industry make Joplin and Southwest Missouri a thriving area. Dominant industries are furniture components manufacturing (Leggett & Platt), asphalt roofing manufacturing (TAMKO), food processing (Tyson Foods, Hudson Foods, Butterball Turkey), and trucking (Con-Way Truckload). Joplin is a medical center for the region, with two hospitals and more than 400 physicians serving them and regional hospitals in surrounding communities.
Mrs. Laura McDonald, Head of School
Mr. Chris Myers, Athletic Director and Dean of Boys
Mr. Robert Carlson, Director of Communications and Technology
Mrs. Debie Donica, Business Manager
Accredited by: Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) Membership:
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
Educational Records Bureau (ERB)
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
MSHSAA (Missouri State High School Activities Association)
Ozark 7 Conference
National Honor Society
Joplin Chamber of Commerce
