About JMS
Meet the Principals
Principal Mike Matteson
Hello Jefferson Middle School Parents and Students:
My name is Mike Matteson, the principal of Jefferson Middle School. I am from Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2001 with a degree in special education. After spending the first 19 years of my career in the Janesville School district as a teacher, program support teacher, dean of students, and assistant principal, I have had the privilege of serving as the Jefferson Middle School principal since the 2021-2022 school year.
I am honored to continue my journey as an administrator in the School District of Jefferson and to serve the students, parents, and staff of Jefferson Middle School. I believe strongly that public schools are vital to creating and sustaining strong, functioning communities and societies. Jefferson Middle School prides itself on academic excellence, social/emotional growth and development, and empowering students with skills that they will need to succeed in high school and beyond. Students at JMS not only get exposed to high quality and engaging instruction in the classroom, but have the opportunity to participate in numerous clubs, sports, and activities. Please know that when students come to JMS each day, they will be greeted by and working with positive and caring people, who truly embody the district’s mission of “Empowering futures together." I look forward to working with you to meet our vision of “All students positively impact society."
If you have questions or I can assist you in any way, please feel free to contact me at (920) 675-1300 or at mattesonm@sdoj.org.
Associate Principal Aaron Erickson
Student School Hours
Following the school calendar, student school hours for all grades are 7:50 a.m. to 3:11 p.m.
Location
History
In 1964 enrollment in the District rose and there was a need for more space for students. A new Jefferson Senior High School was erected and the 1925 building on Copeland Avenue became Jefferson Junior High School.
In 1976, the Jefferson School District reorganized the grades from a junior-senior high school system, to a middle school (grades 6-7-8) and high school (grades 9-10-11-12) system. At that time, Jefferson Junior High became Jefferson Middle School.
Advances in technology led to changes in curriculum, notably the use of computers in the classrooms and it proved too difficult to adapt the 1920s school building, with its masonry construction, to changing technology.
A referendum was passed by the voters of the school district, and a new middle school was built for grades 6-8. The Jefferson Middle School building closed in June of 2000 and was rehabilitated as the "Jefferson Schoolhouse Apartment Homes".
A new Jefferson Middle School building was built on Taft Ave. and opened in the Fall of 2000.
