Thurgood Marshall Fundamental

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