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Jefferson Area Local School District

About Us

About Us

The Jefferson Area Local School District, located in Ashtabula County, Ohio, encompasses nearly 130 square miles and serves students from the villages of Jefferson, Rock Creek, and Roaming Shores as well as students from parts of Austinburg, Denmark, Dorset, Jefferson, Lenox, Morgan,New Lyme, Plymouth, Rome, Sheffield, and Trumbull Townships.

Approximately 1,700 students are enrolled in our 4 schools: Jefferson Area High School (9-12), Jefferson Area Junior High (7-8), Jefferson Elementary School (K-6), and Rock Creek Elementary School (K-6). 

Ashtabula County is located in the northeastern corner of Ohio. It borders Lake Erie and Pennsylvania. Nearby major cities include Youngstown, Cleveland, and Erie, PA. Interstate 90 runs east/west through the county and State Route 11 runs north/south. Recreational opportunities include boating, fishing, golf, state parks, scenic countryside, and beautiful Geneva-on-the-Lake and Pymatuning State Parks. Covered bridges dot the countryside.

Educational opportunities beyond high school are located within one hour’s driving  time. Kent State University Ashtabula Campus, Cleveland State, Edinboro University, Hiram College, John Carroll, Lake Erie College, Ursuline College, and Youngstown State University provide ample opportunities for continuing education.

Jefferson Area Schools History

  • In the American tradition, public schools serve as the foundation of Jefferson High School, circa 1888. our democracy, and a fundamental pillar of our civic life.  The history of the Jefferson Area Local School District (JALSD) is a testament to that democratic ideal. The Jefferson Area Local School District’s history is deeply rooted in the settlement of the Western Reserve. From a log-cabin schoolhouse to our current modern consolidated district covering 130 square miles, the evolution of our school district follows the growth of Jefferson itself as a regional hub for education, law, healthcare, business and history.

  • Jefferson Faculty 1929As the population grew, Jefferson, like other communities in Ohio began to develop common high standards for the education of its children and young adults.

    • 1852: Following new state laws, the district elected its first official Board of Officers and began raising taxes specifically to support a high school.
    • 1870: The Jefferson Educational Institute (JEI) was erected at the corner of Jefferson and Chestnut streets. This two-story brick building cost $20,000 and served as the primary high school for our region.
    • 1888: A new high school building was added to the campus to accommodate growth, while the 1870 building continued to house the lower grades.
    • 1910: The Jefferson Educational Institute officially transitioned into Jefferson High School.
       

  • Class Officers 1962Throughout Ohio, the mid-20th century saw regions transition from small, township-based schools to larger and more efficient unified school districts. This was true here in Jefferson.

    • 1930: A new High School opened at the corner of South Market and East Jefferson Streets. This building was the heart of the district for decades, receiving major additions in 1953 and 1957.
    • 1960s Consolidation: In a major shift, several nearby township schools (including Rock Creek High School, which graduated its last class in 1962) consolidated to form the Jefferson Area Local School District. Other consolidation included  Jefferson Village & Township, Morgan Township & Rock Creek, Lenox Township local rural schools, Dorset & Rome Townships. 
    • 1962: A new Jefferson Area High School was opened at the west end of the village to serve the newly consolidated student body.
    • Out of  the consolidations and redistricting, the current Jefferson Area Local School District is geographically large, covering roughly 130 square miles.

  • In the 21st century, the district underwent a massive infrastructure overhaul to modernize its facilities.

    • 2008: The current Jefferson and Rock Creek Elementary Schools opened, replacing the older Jefferson and Rock Creek Elementary buildings.
    • 2009: The new Jefferson Area Junior/Senior High School campus opened. 
    • Today: JALSD serves approximately 1,700 students across four main buildings (Jefferson Area High School, Jefferson Area Junior High, Jefferson Elementary, and Rock Creek Elementary).