Beneath the facade of what is now the Thomas Jefferson Educational Campus lies a rich history. Thomas Jefferson High School once stood here. Dedicated to the third President, its story is one of grand beginnings and eventual decline. It is a story of transformation.
Thomas Jefferson High School’s groundbreaking occurred in 1922. Mayor John Francis Hylan officiated the ceremony. This event marked the start of a new era for East New York students. They had previously traveled long distances to attend schools outside their neighborhood. The high school opened in September 1924. It accommodated roughly 4000 students.
The school quickly gained a reputation for academic excellence and strong sports teams. However, the surrounding neighborhood faced socioeconomic challenges after the 1960s. These challenges included unemployment and crime. The school battled poor test scores and low graduation rates.
Thomas Jefferson High School faced its share of turmoil. A tragic shooting in 1991 claimed the life of a ninth-grade student. Another shooting in 1992 resulted in the deaths of two more students. These events cast a dark shadow over the school.
Despite the hardships, many notable figures walked the halls of Thomas Jefferson High School. Howard Zinn the famous historian graduated from Jefferson. Danny Kaye the entertainer attended but did not graduate. Shelley Winters and Jimmy Smits also count as alumni. Al Lewis, best known as Grandpa Munster, was also a graduate. Lloyd Blankfein, former CEO of Goldman Sachs, graduated in 1971. Shawon Dunston, a baseball star, batted .793 in 1982.
The school had a M.P. Mӧller pipe organ installed in 1926. It was one of seven identical organs in New York City high schools. Sadly, the organ was removed and discarded in the 1990s.
In 2007, the New York City Department of Education closed Thomas Jefferson High School. It was divided into smaller specialty schools. These new schools form the Thomas Jefferson Educational Campus. Today, the campus houses The High School for Civil Rights. It also hosts The FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety. Furthermore, The Performing Arts and Technology High School is located here. Finally, there is The World Academy for Total Community Health High School.
As you stand before the Thomas Jefferson Educational Campus, reflect on the past. Remember Thomas Jefferson High School. Consider its legacy of both triumph and tragedy. The engraved quote from Abraham Lincoln at the entrance remains. It says: May reverence for the laws become the political religion of the nation. The building continues to serve new generations of students.