Thomas Jefferson High School (colloquially, Jefferson High School or "Jeff") is a public high school in Portland, Oregon, United States, founded in 1908. History Jefferson opened in September 1908, and was initially named Albina High School, but was renamed Jefferson High School in early 1909. The school was not ready in 1908, but was opened early due to overcrowding. It was finished on February 6, 1910. The Oregonian reported in January 1922 that Jefferson was the largest high school in Portland, with 2,063 students. Hopkin Jenkins was principal at Jefferson from its opening until June 1940. Due to the baby boom and passing of a $25 million building levy by the school district in 1947, a new high school was slated. In September 1991, "at least six fires" were set at the school by an arsonist. On January 7, 2008, Mayor Potter relocated City Hall to Jefferson for a week. Potter held a City Council meeting and delivered the State of the City address there. The aim was stated to be to "give students, parents and educators a first hand lesson in how government really works - and to showcase the opportunities, successes and challenges facing every school in Portland's six public school districts." School profile In 2009–10, Jefferson was the only school in Oregon to have a majority of African American students. As of 2018, the school's ethnic demographics were 41% African American, 28% European American, 17% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 2% Hawaiian, and 1% American Indian. In 2018, 84% of the school's seniors received a high school diploma, higher than the state average of 80%. In September 2011, all freshman students were required to participate in the Middle College for Advanced Studies. This program was explained as follows: Freshmen and sophomores focus on their core subjects at Jefferson. They learn skills such as study habits and organization to prepare them for college coursework and move through classes in groups — or academies - with the same set of teachers. As students are ready, they move to college prep classes at Jefferson and college courses at Portland Community College Cascade Campus, mostly in their junior and senior years. College pathways range from preparation for a four-year college to careers such as emergency medical technician, medical assistant, firefighter, and heating, ventilation and cooling technician. College coursework is offered at no cost to Jefferson students. Students who