Located across the street from Elizabeth's City Hall and the monuments of Winfield Scott Park, and Martin Luther King Jr monument, Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy is the oldest building of all the Elizabeth Public Schools high school academies.

Jefferson Arts was first built in 1928 as an all-boys high school and named for the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States.

The school's curriculum is geared toward preparing students for postsecondary education and developing their creative talents.

[14] The school's academic program includes: Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy's Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college-readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges.

AVID students also engage in regular tutorials, college preparation sessions and trips, career readiness experiences, and other activities to support their academic and personal growth.

[15] Each studio program at Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy requires an audition and entry interview.

Students create a short video explaining why they wish to study media and television production.

This video may be submitted by mini-DV tape, DVD, or uploaded electronically by directions explained at the audition.

The reflection is an overall response on students' goals, current works in progress, and previous literary and writing experiences.

Portfolio pieces and sketch books should display a student's abilities with use of color, composition, two-dimensional and three-dimensional concepts, creativity, tone, and presentation.