The Main Street Academy

My Child has attended Main Street for three years now, and we couldn't be happier. The staff is amazing and the fellow parents seem to actually care about their childrens education - which is something you don't find in many public schools.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started TMSA in the Fall, and my expectations have been greatly exceeded! Our K teacher is fantastic she is energetic and enthusiastic, and works hard to really teach to the different strengths among the students in her classroom. We are just over half-way through the year, and I am amazed at what my daughter has already learned both in the core curriculum (reading, writing, math), and in the specials (art, music, spanish). There are certainly resource challenges, but I would encourage any parent to strongly consider TMSA as a great elementary option. Both Academy Directors are great I interface with the Lower Academy Director most often and she is friendly, responsive, direct and fair. Having interfaced with the Principal on several occasions, I appreciate his style of leadership and approach to school management. Overall, we are very happy with TMSA and look forward to 1st grade!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Kindergarten and is currently in First Grade at TMSA. My son has had two excellent teachers and his academic progression has exceeded my expectations. (I almost feel like he has had TOO much homework this year!) It is a very positive atmosphere and the kids are well behaved (because the majority of the parents care about education.) We have even seen benefits to the tri-cities community as a whole which has arisen out of the collective sense of purpose to build a strong educational environment for our kids. We certainly need a new facility for both academies, but that is difficult for any startup school and our Board is working diligently to make it happen. Our school has improved every year by addressing its needs and I expect it will continue grow and become a model charter school for the state. I would recommend TMSA to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had a great experience with TMSA. My daughter began Kindergarten this fall and is absolutely thrilled to go to school each and every morning. She has caring and creative teachers who keep us informed of her progress and struggles on a daily basis. Already, they have instilled a passion for learning and her reading, writing and math skills have improved tremendously. The kindergarten team is truly a dream! We have daily homework assignments, extra challenge homework and online resources that they have provided. This rigorous, academic program is balanced by an amazing art and music program as well as PE. As vested members of this community, we are so thankful to have such a wonderful public school option. We are happy to volunteer in building a better school for our community and are pleased that parental involvement is a requirement. We are also very pleased with the after care program, offering homework assistance and play as well as the many wonderful in-house after school options such as karate, dance, art and gardening classes and daisies.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter that attends the Upper Academy here. I was told by a friend that this school was a really good school. So far from what I've seen I'm not impressed!! The staff is very RUDE!! Once I was waiting in one of the rooms to meet with a teacher, a student came in complaining about an injurer to the front desk clerk. Little that the clerk knew I heard her in a harsh tone tell the student, "GO TO THE CLINIC. He was about to enter the room I was in until she jerked him and said, "You know where the clinic is! Then she said "And you better not tell anybody. This new principal is very rude when it comes down to speaking with him. He acts as if he has no time for you. To make a long story short, this is not what I was expecting!!! Teachers please get your attitudes together. The kids shouldn't be bully by adults the way they are bullied by other kids. Who can I kids turn to if the adults shows no concern. Kids do as they see and speak of what they hear. It's time to be Role Models!!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter entered as a kindergartner this year at TMSA and has had an amazing experience. She comes home every day excited about what she has learned and is always eager to go to school the next morning. Amazingly, she is eager to do homework, due in no small part to the creative assignments that the kindergarten team uses. The curriculum is rich and rigorous, and the teachers are engaging and exciting. The school does have resource challenges, but this is largely made up for by parental volunteering--and this is something you are expected to do as a TMSA parent. But that also helps build community. If you are willing to roll up your sleeves and take part in your child's education, this is a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

My Daughter started Kindergarten at TMSA this year and we are so blessed to have this wonderful school in our neighborhood. When we first moved to College Park we were very concerned that we would not have a public school to send her to. After some short research we found TMSA and it is the most amazing school. We are very pleased with her teachers Mrs. Santos and Mrs. Stewart. It is only October and we can see a huge difference in her Reading and Math Skills. Plus she takes Spanish 3 times a week as well as art and PE. We are in love with TMSA!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My son started Kindergarten at The Main Street Academy and will be entering the 2nd grade in the Fall. Our daugher will be joining him in the Fall, she will be entering Kindergarten. We have been very pleased with TMSA. It is truly a family environment where there are plenty of opportunities for parents to get involved. We are happy that TMSA is in our community!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a firm believer that you have to be involved versus sitting on the sidelines and waiting to see what will happen -imagine if we parented that way? I have had a great experience with TMSA and can only speak from my son's K & 1st grades. Those parents that are vested in building community,creating memories,& encouraging an environment of passion for learning are more inclined to like this school. Those that prefer the drop off service/babysitter perspective of school may not like it. It is smaller, younger, & requires a little more elbow grease than others. I love the teachers that walk my child to my door and give me a DAILY report vs. a quarterly report on paper. I love the fact that I can volunteer in various ways & teachers are grateful versus feeling threatened. I love the idea of invaluable idea exchange amongst like minded parents because we are accessible & visible to each other. My daughter enters Kindergarten this year & she is excited to be a part of the TMSA family. I have summer sessions with my kids every day before/after the pool because it is not ALL UP TO THE TEACHERS so if you are a parent that is up to doing your part, you will love the way TMSA does theirs.
—Submitted by a parent

The lower academy is better than the upper academy, however, that is not saying much. The current principal is cheerful, but spineless. At the risk of sounding like an elitist, the school is full of riff raff. Most of the students come from lower income families down 29/14 in college park, east point and union city. There is a problem with bullies and all the great involved parents are leaving to attend their local schools or private schools. The great parents that remain do so only because their local school is just a bad or they cannot afford private school. If you cannot afford private school, then home school. Either way, I would rob a bank or dance on a pole to make money for private school versus return to this school. First year was pretty decent; this past year was the worst!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been at TMSA for two years. 1st and 2nd grade and my husband and I are very pleased with his progress. His reading is outstanding and his mathematical skills have impoved tremendously. Math was not his strongest subject. He has had EXCELLENT teachers who have challenged him in various ways. The PTO Leadership is awesome and the School Leadership is awesome. I am a very involved parent and have never had a problem speaking with my son's teacher, the Academy Director or the Principal. In the two years that I have been at TMSA I have found that anytime I wanted to be involved with the school as a whole (not just my son) that mine and my husband's presence was always welcomed. The school is NOT geared toward low income families, it is geared toward families who take their child's educational foundation seriously and want a challenging public choice. In the areas that I found problamatic (very few) I have offered help to improve those areas. Again, parent input and involvement is not only strongly encouraged . . . IT IS REQUIRED!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children that attend TMSA. One in the upper academy and the other in the lower academy. I LOVE the lower academy. The teachers/other staff are AWESOME the atmosphere is welcoming. On the other had the upper academy is... well unprofessional and unorganized. I had a question regarding my child's grade and it was like searching for a needle in a hay stack trying to get someone to get back in touch with me. My husband and I went through 4 different admins staff as well as going up to the school, it was not UNTIL I had a conversation over the phone with the principal that I received a return call. UNACCEPTABLE!!!! They make it very difficult for parents to be involved BUT they always (talk) about how they want parents invovled. NOT to mention the constant turn over in staff members. Would I recommend the upper academy.... NOT AT ALL with the current staff in place. Would I recommand the lower academy.. ABSOLUTELY without a second guess!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended TMSA for the last 2 years. He likes the school for the most part. He had a few uncomftable moments at TMSA, but of course the staff and Principal were right on board to help resolve our issues. We loved TMSA the first year the school opened. And we know it's only the second year, but we are not feeling that the school staff is there for the battle of keeping the good school image ongoing. I am at TMSA through out the day and see a lot of things that I don't like. More dislikes than likes. It's mostly geared toward low income families. If they can weed out most of the families that are not willing to do their part, it might reached potential. Also, the staff creates a lot of insecure students by yelling alot at the kids. We are not returning to TMSA. And if you asked me why, I could give you more reasons not to attend.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year with the school. I have a 2nd, 4th and 7th grader and am so please with the growth and leadership. I am looking forward to Main Street being by school of choice for the next however many years.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school and the teachers. The principal is the best!!! I have a son in the 5th grade and I can't wait for my daughter to start there next year.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter was in the lower academy last year. We are very proud to be a part of the first classes of TMSA. This school is a breath of fresh air. Fulton County school system has failed us in previous years and having an alternate choice is HUGE! My son has started Kindergarten this year and he is soo happy there. When my children are happy and challenged, it makes me that much happier. TMSA Is a cut above the rest! I can't wait to see whats to come next. They have grown so much within 1 year! Awesome staff, kids and families! My goal/wish for TMSA is for them to have access to their own bldg for both academies VERY SOON. GO TMSA!!! WE Believe in YOU! :D
—Submitted by a parent

The Main Street Academy (TMSA) is a bright ray of hope. The public schools in this area have tended to be among Atlanta's lowest-performing. So my wife and I have been thrilled to witness and be an active part of TMSA's evolution. Pros: a) an exceptional principal, Mr. Raine Hackler, who has the skills and enthusiasm that make it easy for teachers, staff, parents and students to get behind; b) a fantastic parent community that pitches in to help again and again; c) an overall excellent teaching staff, mostly consisting of young teachers full of vigor; and d) a diverse group of students. Cons: a) the school is split between two temporary campuses (space rented from local churches), which is less than ideal in terms of staff availability; b) the TAG program wasn't rolled out the first year; c) like many charter schools, there are financial concerns that will need to be navigated. I'm extremely optimistic about our school, in terms of its potential for success and ability to overcome obstacles. The keys are an intelligent, passionate faculty, and involved, caring parents. With those two in place, any child can excel and our school can fly. I believe in TMSA.
—Submitted by a parent