Jefferson School was constructed in the years immediately following the conclusion of World War II and opened in the fall of 1949.  The school was built to relieve over-crowding at Franklin and Whitney Elementary Schools. It consisted of six classrooms, each of which was filled to capacity that first year.

Fortunately, Jefferson was designed so that new rooms could be easily added. In 1953, six classrooms were built onto the south end of the school. In 1955, six more were added onto the north end, making Jefferson an 18-room school. Today, Jefferson consists of more than 21 classrooms, including portables.

Jefferson's flat roof leaked by the mid-1980's when inclement weather arrived. It was replaced in 1989 with a hip roof which completely changed the appearance of the building.

Another addition, designed to meet the needs of hearing impaired and visually impaired students was added to the south end of the school in 1997. This facility houses the offices of the District's Audiologist and of several interpreter, tutors and teachers who work with students from around the District.