The study will include examinations of the human body. photo by Ben Scherer
The new health class at Thomas Jefferson prepares juniors for real-life challenges.
For the 2025-26 school year, Thomas Jefferson High School will launch a new health class based on the Colorado Academic Standards for Comprehensive Health, with a specific focus on preparing students for the challenges they face in everyday life. This class will be required for all juniors beginning in the 25-26 school year, with the possibility of expansion to other grades in the future. The course is designed to help students understand key aspects of personal and social wellness. Rather than relying solely on textbooks or traditional lectures, the class will use real-life scenarios, group discussions, and hands-on activities to engage students in topics such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, substance use prevention, healthy decision-making, relationships, consent, and digital safety.
Making this class a requirement is a direct response to the growing need for stronger, more relevant health education among teens. Across the country, and at TJ, students are dealing with complex, fast-changing issues that deeply impact their overall wellbeing. Junior year, in particular, is one of the most academically and emotionally demanding times for high school students. With standardized testing, college planning, extracurricular commitments, and growing social pressure, many students experience high levels of stress and burnout. This new course offers students a chance to step back from the pressure and learn how to better care for themselves, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well.
With the rise of mental health concerns among teens, this class is more needed than ever. Anxiety, depression, loneliness, and feelings of overwhelm have become far too common in today’s youth. Unfortunately, many students do not receive the information or support they need to manage these challenges in a healthy way. This course aims to change that. Students will explore what mental health really means and how to access resources when help is needed. They’ll learn practical, research-based strategies for self-care, emotional regulation, and communication. Just as importantly, they’ll be given the space to talk about their real feelings and experiences. In addition to focusing on emotional wellness, the class will also tackle important topics like substance use, peer pressure, and online behavior—all of which play a significant role in the lives of today’s teenagers. With increasing exposure to vaping, alcohol, and even prescription drug misuse, students need accurate, non-judgmental information about what these substances are and how they affect the body and mind.
This course will provide information in a straightforward and respectful way, helping students understand the consequences of their choices while giving them the confidence to make safer ones. Students will also explore how social media and online interactions impact their mental and emotional state. Principal Mike Christoff explained, “…[kids] will be able to know how and when it is appropriate to use phones.” They will learn how to create healthy boundaries in a digital world that often feels inescapable. Equally important is the course’s emphasis on relationships and communication. Many teens struggle to understand what makes a relationship healthy or unhealthy, and they may not know how to express their needs, ask for consent, or set boundaries. These lessons not only help build safer relationships, but also encourage students to become more compassionate and aware members of the school and broader community.
Another core element of the course is personal responsibility. This means helping students understand their everyday choices. The class empowers students to make informed decisions that align with their values and future plans. Too often, health education is limited to the basics of biology or outdated warnings about what “not to do.” This provides a modern approach and is designed to meet students where they are. It recognizes that each student comes with their own experience as well as it offers a curriculum that respects and responds to that diversity. By giving juniors the guidance to explore all aspects of health in a supportive environment, the class fosters not just knowledge, but confidence, resilience, and community.
As TJ looks ahead to the upcoming school year, the addition of this health class is more than just a curriculum update, it’s a commitment to putting students’ wellbeing at the center of their education. It’s about acknowledging the real pressures students face and equipping them with the resources to handle them with strength and self-awareness. Christoff stated that taking this class, “[students] will be better prepared for the real world.” Starting with the junior class, this new health program has the power to shape healthier habits, healthier minds, and ultimately, healthier lives.
