Thomas Jefferson High School, or simply Jefferson High School, is one of the two high schools in Bloomington, Minnesota, United States Independent School District No. 271. It is located at 102nd Street and France Avenue on the suburb's southwest side, and is part of the Bloomington Public Schools district. About 1,600 students attend in grades 9 through 12. The mascot is a Jaguar. Jefferson was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the US Department of Education in 2009, although the school has had a solid academic reputation within the state for some time. In 2010, after many years in the Lake Conference, both Jefferson and Bloomington Kennedy became founding members of the South Suburban Conference sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League. League activities include athletics, academic teams, drama, and music. Kennedy and Jefferson have been cross-town rivals for many years, and face off each year in what's known by most as the Battle of B-Town. Activities and athletics Bloomington Jefferson is a member of the Metro West Conference in the Minnesota State High School League. The school had been a member of the Lake Conference from its opening until it left to become as a founding member of the new South Suburban Conference in 2010. The school then left the South Suburban Conference in 2014 to become as a founding member of the new Metro West Conference. The 2000–2001 boys hockey team is the subject of the 2003 book Blades of Glory by John Rosengren. State Championships Performing arts Jefferson has two competitive show choirs, the mixed gender "Connection" and the all female "Jive". Along with choirs, the school has multiple band programs, including concert bands, marching bands, jazz ensembles, and orchestras. Principals Robert H. Smith 1970-1985 Kent Stever 1985-1996 John Bianchi 1996-1998 Lyle Odland 1998-2002 Steven Hill 2002-2013 Kevin Groebner 2013–2016 Jaysen Anderson 2016–Present Notable alumni Cole Aldrich – Former NBA Center, Minnesota Timberwolves Matthew Bribitzer-Stull, PhD—Head of University Honors Program, University of MN Thomas E. Burnett Jr. – one of the passengers aboard United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001 Ben Clymer – retired NHL left wing Brian Connelly – defenseman, Rockford IceHogs Mike Crowley – retired NHL defenseman Brian Dutcher - Head Coach, San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball Steve Edlefsen – former MLB pitcher, San Francisco Giants Lisa Garoutte, PhD -- Professor of Sociology, Loras College Paul Gess – former NHL