Last Tuesday, Thomas Jefferson High School experienced a thrilling transformation as the EduCare Foundation Afterschool Program hosted its first-ever “Haunted High” Halloween event. The afterschool team, led by Site Coordinator Sarahi Morales, welcomed students, families, and staff for a night of spooky fun in the historic Jefferson Auditorium.
This marks the first school year that EduCare’s Afterschool Program has been active on the Jefferson campus, serving both Thomas Jefferson High School and NAVA College Preparatory Academy in partnership with LAUSD’s Beyond the Bell program. The event showcased the power of collaboration, school pride, and student leadership—values at the core of EduCare’s mission.
The Halloween celebration featured a student-created haunted house, pumpkin decorating, games, treats, and prizes. Students from both Jefferson and NAVA worked behind the scenes and on stage to design, build, and run the Haunted House. Their creativity and teamwork turned the auditorium into a spooky and exciting experience that quickly became the talk of the campus.
Jefferson faculty were also invited to join the fun as part of their staff meeting theme of “Building Positive Staff Culture.” Teachers enjoyed experiencing the Haunted House alongside students, making the event a unique schoolwide moment of connection and joy. Despite ongoing campus construction, the event successfully brought laughter, school spirit, and a sense of community across the school grounds.
The Haunted House was a hit, with a steady stream of students lining up after school to take part in the festivities. For EduCare’s first year on campus, the event set the tone for what is shaping up to be an exciting year of afterschool enrichment, student leadership, and community building.
Event photos have been uploaded to the EduCare Photo Gallery for families and students to enjoy and relive the experience.
The EduCare team looks forward to hosting more events that continue to unite both school communities and create meaningful and memorable after-school experiences.