Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy: Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there Tuition?

No. Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy: A Challenge Foundation Academy is a tuition-free public charter school.

What is a Charter School?

A charter school is a public school that receives public money but has been freed of some of the rules and regulations that apply to other public schools in exchange for a higher level of accountability in meeting standards determined by the state.

Charter schools were created to provide innovative educational choices for students and their families. Charter schools may choose their own academic program and set policies that reflect the school’s mission and goals.

How does a Charter School Receive Funding?

Charter schools receive public funding, but the funding does not include capital dollars to cover the cost of the facility. Charter schools, then, operate on much less funding per student than traditional public schools do and could not provide the excellent education they do without the generous support of individuals, businesses, and foundations. To learn about the different ways in which you can help support the mission of TJCA-CFA, please see http://tjca.teamcfa.org/get_involved.

Can Anyone Attend?

Yes. The United States Department of Education requires all charter schools to have enrollment procedures that promotes equal opportunity for all. Open enrollment leading to a lottery is the first step in providing equal opportunity.

How does the Lottery Work?

TJCA-CFA holds an open enrollment period in which applications are taken for the upcoming school year. Current students must reapply every year but are automatically reenrolled if they apply by the deadline. After such students are taken into account, a lottery is held for any grade in which the number of applicants exceeds the number of available spaces. Placement is then given in the order of the drawing, and families are notified. Siblings of enrolled students are accommodated to the greatest extent possible.

Do you have a Waiting List?

After a grade level is filled applicants are put on a waiting list in the order in which they were drawn and may register as seats become available.

May students with disabilities or language minority students attend?

TJCA-CFA does not discriminate based on disability, race, color, gender, national origin, or religion.

What are the class sizes?

The student-faculty ratio is 11:1 with a maximum of 100 students enrolled per grade level. Class sizes can vary from as few as five students in an upper level AP course, to a maximum of 25 students.

What is the school day schedule?

Student arrival time is 7:20-7:45 a.m. All students must report to homeroom at the 7:45 bell and are marked tardy at the 7:50 bell. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements, seven fifty-five minute periods are held, with a five-minute break between class periods. Student dismissal time is 2:55 p.m.