Thurgood Marshall Fundamental

I am the parent of a 7th grade student in the gifted magnet. This is NOT a "gifted" program, it's more of an "honors" program. Students are given very little freedom to develop their "giftedness" or hone their unique capabilities. Teachers teach "obedience" under the guise of "responsibility." This may be due to the fact that the "gifted" program is forced to adhere to the "fundamental" rules, which is absurd. Gifted education is the exact opposite of a fundamental-back-to-basics approach. For example, I teach literature at both the high-school and college level. My son LOVES reading and exploring texts. He loves discussing texts, how language is used to create texts, etc. He has never received anything higher than a D in his Language Arts classes. The "fundamental" limitations and mandates are destroying his "gifted" experience. I have talked with many parents who feel the same. If Marshall Middle wants an Honors Program, they should get one, what they shouldn't do is corrupt a Gifted Education and destroy the confidence of its students.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in 7th grade in the Center for Gifted studies at Thurgood Marshall. We are extremely happy with this program and could easily send our boys to Shorecrest but feel we are getting a better education all around at Thurgood. We are especially pleased with two teachers, Civics and Algebra I (we get emails weekly from her). These teachers care about and motivate the students. My son has never been so excited about Math and it's now his favorite subject. We don't like two of the teachers, Independent Study (waste of a class) and Language Arts. Every parent we have spoken to feels the same way and wonder how they are still teaching (tenure?). Our son LOVES the school and has many friends. We wish there were some sports but there are more extracurricular opportunities than other public middle schools in the area. The vice-principal is horrible but the new principal is great! We wouldn't leave the area knowing we have such a great school and are excited about selecting the IB, CAT, Collegiate HS or other program in the area for high school in the coming years.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a 7th grade student in the "Gifted" Program and i'm in my 2nd year at TMFMS. The principal is great, some teachers are great and proud to be there, and the rest...not so much. In my Gifted Studies class, we learn NOTHING. The teacher says we are in the class to learn "critical" and "creative" thinking skills. All we do is word puzzles for our bell-work assignments, which should only last 10 minutes max. All that class is to me is a waste of a hour and a half. I love my Algebra and Civics teachers and classes, and the PE program is great. The lunch food is the WORST.The school lunch was worse and less nutritional than PRISON FOOD. Now that is saying something. The foreign language programs are good, hands-on classes (well, at least Spanish, thats what I take). The dress code is ABSURD. Us boys need to wear pants every day, no shorts, and in Florida, that is hard. Girls can wear skirts below the knees, or pants. We can't wear backpacks around campus. They need to be in lockers. Crazy. There is a new rule out saying you can't be picked up off campus, and that parents can't be 30 minutes late, or else, detentions. We can't control when we are picked up! Overall, it's a good school.

We have a son entering his third year in the Gifted Studies program and could not be happier with our experience at this school. The new principal has provided outstanding leadership since his arrival and has greatly improved the communication links between parents and faculty in regard to school activities and expectations. As other reviewers have noted, this school expects a high level of parental involvement and a structured learning environment. The reform school comments are completely off track - our son thrives on the structured environment and has been challenged academically but still has developed a strong collection of friends with diverse interests. There are many options for electives and extra-curricular activities. Many teachers have demonstrated that they will match the student's level of dedication - the more the student and parents put in the more the teachers are ready and willing to support the student's advancement. Comments about teachers not wanting to teach are simply not true.... our experience has been the complete opposite. Teachers have gone above and beyond by organizing outstanding Sciene Fairs, National History Day projects and art competitions.
—Submitted by a parent

We are in 8th grade in the Gifted Magnet Program. I feel like the teachers really care about their students. I don't agree with some of the reviews listed below. The teachers at TMFS have to vote every year, and always vote YES, to teach 8 periods instead of their contracted 7. This doesn't happen at other schools!! This allows for the students to have longer class periods and less time in the hallways. It's a great program. As for the discipline, this is middle school and the teachers and staff have to run a tight ship. If you follow the rules, there are no problems. I cannot recommend Thurgood enough and look forward to my youngest starting in another year.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 8th grade student at the Center for Gifted Studies at Thurgood Marshall. To be honest, I don't think I could have chosen a better school for my 3 years in middle school. It is the best "jaguar nation" that exists. I would recommend this school to anyone. I have had such a great time, and I know it is going to be hard to say goodbye at the end of the year.

I had a 6th grader attend this school last year & removed her for 7th grade. While I loved the fact that we were heavily involved with her education/behvaior etc, I didn't have it reciprocated by her teachers. Yes, they sent home work to be signed everyday, but me being a parent and knowing my child, things that should have been identified were not! I sent emails, went to the school, etc and was told "she has an A to B average, and no behavior issues, what could be your problem." I know for a fact her math teacher taught nothing for half of the year . He purely assigned work and and as long as it was completed and signed you received an A. They completed one quiz and one test for the whole 2nd half of the year. C'mon! Thurgood may be a good school due to less behavior issues but they measure up just like the rest of the schoools in Pinellas when it comes to teaching and the methods used to teach! We are in another magnet program and hopefully we will get what we need there. Lack of discipline and structure isn't an issue in my household. A school that is getting by on their behavioral reputation is!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a son entering the 8th grade this year at the Center for Gifted studies at Thurgood Marshall and he has been there from it's inception. I strongly agree with the view that some teachers act as if they do not enjoy teaching and even seem to hate some of the kids and communication may leave something to be desired. However, I strongly disagree with the "prison like" atmosphere. I don't think that is completely a bad thing. The children seem well guarded and protected to some degree. Though strict, isn't that what we signed up for? Did you read the contract on behavior and expectations on both the part of the student and parent before you agreed and signed it? I find that most parents and students who have trouble with the regiment are those that lack structure and discipline in their life in general and this experience is too overwhelming for them! They break policy and think they are an exception to the rules. As desirable as that seems, life does not work like that! Rule breakers generally do not become rule makers! It's not a coincidence that out of the 3 gifted fundamental programs started the same year,Thurgood is the only one filled to compacity with a waiting list!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child in the "gifted program" of Thurgood Marshall and has been there for 6th and 7th grade. We are leaving the school. On the surface everything seems fine. The principal talks a very good talk but I don't feel that the teachers there communicate very well with each other. SOME don't seem to enjoy teaching and make demeaning comments to the kids. The counselors yell at the kids in the hall and car line for the most insanely minor things. How are the student expected to feel comfortable asking a question or going to see a counselor when all they get is negativity from them? For the 50/50 balance of good and bad teachers - we are leaving, fortunate that we have the ability to go to a private school instead. Very disappointing.
—Submitted by a parent

I completely dissagree with the person below. The fundamental program is all wrong. Just because e sighn u for a fndemental school doesnt mean we re signing up for our children to go to prison. The teahers complain and some dont even teach. I love fundamental but Thurgood marshall is not the same. Its very depressing and the iac is just waiting to kick more and more children out. I also agree that the teachers give no positive reinforcement tey just punish punish punish.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow, I am so overwhelmed with this terrific school. It is not at all as those say below "reform" school. this school has the children FOCUSED and regimented, just what they need at this age to prepare for the future. The Gifted Studies is second to none! The teachers and staff are all very focused and organized, what a pleasant change from our prior school! I can not say enough about Prinicipal Jackson, his determination, ambition and direction are truly unbelievable. If there is an elective in which you are interested, just tell him! He will gage the interest and get that class to this school! He is fantastic. If you don't want structure, direction or accountability for your student you should search elsewhere because this is truly one of the most impressive schools I have ever seen! Go Jaguars!
—Submitted by a parent

Thurgood Marshall Middle is like a prison, it makes parents feel unwelcome on campus, and the teachers are always complaining. The school is very strict, and depressing. My daughter came from lakeview fundamental. Although i support fundamental schools, Thurgood marshall isn't one of them.,
—Submitted by a parent

Thurgood Marshall is a great school. The Principal is really hands on. The Gifted program is excellent. The students can even learn Chinese. My daughter loves it!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a big supporter of Fundamental Schools, but not this one. My daughter came from Bay Vista Elementary to Thurgood. It is not run like an educational institution but instead is run like a reform school or military academy. Parents are made to feel unwelcome on the campus or in contacting the school. Office staff is rude, disrespectful, condescending towards parents and worse towards the kids. The kids are treated like delinquents in need of reform and are treated as such. Demerits and violations are used as a form of behavior modification and there is little or no positive reinforcement. The teaching staff seems to be competent but there is an attitude at the school the permeates throughout. I would advise Maderia Beach Middle School and will likely move my daughter (even though it significantly increases commute time). My daughter is getting straight A's but the environment is not good.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel like we won the lottery being in the Thurgood Marshall. My 7th grade daughter is being academically challenged while having the privilege to learn Italian, dance, computers, all while teachers care about our kids.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff of Thurgood Marshall truly cares about the growth, insight and well being of the students.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in 6th grade. Her (and our) experience has been wonderful. Her curriculum is rigorous and the teachers go above and beyond the call of duty on a regular basis.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are excellent the kids stay on task and it keeps kids busy learning without them even realizing it
—Submitted by a student

This scool is very acamically educated for the students there.I am a 6th grader at thurgood and i love it i am in pretty much in all adv. classes.thurgood so far is business.the scool is strict but everyday i come home safe and smarter.if you are a parent reading this attending your child at this school is the right choice.
—Submitted by a student

School is a tool for parents to use to help them better educate their children. TMMS is a school that allows a parent a piece of mind that their child is in a safe well disciplined environment. Parents are held accountable for their children just as it should be. When a child gets removed for not doing his homework, you can t blame the school for that. Education begins and ends at home. . So when not learning at home TMMS is where a child will get the best education available.
—Submitted by a parent