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Help Us Cross the Finish Line

Investing in Community, Student Athletics, & Fitness Through TJ’s Track

The TJ Mission

Through a dedication to academic excellence, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School stands accountable for educating students to make the most of their abilities.

The School educates students to acquire and refine essential academic knowledge and skills; cultivate an appreciation of the arts; develop lifelong fitness skills; assume responsibility for their behavior; seek out challenge, welcome criticism, test new capacities; practice self-discipline; and find joy in learning.

The school brings students together with teachers who exemplify intellectual curiosity, a dedication to truth, and the advantages of living the examined life.

Meeting a Need

For the first time in TJ’s 33-year history, our track had to be taken down to the dirt. Slow, shifting soil required jackhammering old asphalt, regrading the ground, and laying a new base.

Far beyond resurfacing, TJ’s track maintenance budget was exhausted.

Using school funds, we have already paid in full for the demolition, removal, grading, and new asphalt.

To cross the finish line, we need to raise $275,000 to complete the resurfacing and striping.

The need reaches beyond our campus, as Joplin only has three regulation-sized tracks (two at Missouri Southern State University, and one at the Dewey Combs Athletic Complex at Junge Field).

The track completion would allow us to host track meets for the greater Four States community.

The need for our track completion has fallen during the most successful stretch in our track and field program’s history.

Four of our seven all-time individual or relay state championships have come in the last two years.

The TJ Boys track and field team finished the 2026 season as the State Class 2 runner-up.

Across the program’s history, TJ has produced 29 All-State athletes, seven state championships, 20 top-three state finishes, and 60 top-eight finishes.

Three of our four current state champions will be graduating in 2027, and we’d love to have the track completed by the start of their senior season.

Additionally, the track serves as an anchor-point for our school community, providing space for P.E. classes and field day events across all grade levels.

Become a Supporter

$25,000 - Champion Partnership (Only 8 Available):

A named lane, commemorated in signage at the entrance of the J.P. Humphreys Track & Field Complex

A VIP invitation to participate in our special ribbon-cutting celebration Recognition in our press release and social media (individually named)

Banner signage on the complex fence for at least three academic years seen at every home track and soccer event, since the track encircles our soccer field

$10,000 – Relay Anchor Circle:

Name featured in the Alumni & Family Donor section on signage at the entrance of the J.P. Humphreys Track & Field Complex

A VIP invitation to attend our special ribbon-cutting celebration Recognition in press release, social media (individually named), and enewsletter

$5,000 – Finish Line Friends:

• Name featured in the Alumni & Family Donor section on signage at the entrance of the J.P. Humphreys Track & Field Complex

• A VIP invitation to attend our special ribbon-cutting celebration

• Recognition in social media (grouped with Finish Line Friends donors), and e-newsletter

Gifts may be paid in full or pledged and paid in installments over three years (July 2026-June 2029). TJ is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, and your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

$2,500 – Pacesetter Society:

• Name featured in the Alumni & Family Donor section on signage at the entrance of the J.P. Humphreys Track & Field Complex

• An invitation to attend our special ribbon-cutting celebration

• Recognition in social media (grouped with Pacesetter Society donors), and e-newsletter

$500 – Starting Line League:

• An invitation to attend our special ribbon-cutting celebration

• Recognition in social media (grouped with Starting Line League donors), and e-newsletter

Community Impact

Your partnership:

Meets a real need for a local educational institution and nonprofit organization

Promotes health, fitness, and community

Unlocks opportunities for our students and area athletes

Puts your family or organization’s name in front of the TJ and greater Four States community for years to come

Thank you for your consideration!