Thurman Francis Elementary School

My son went to TFAA for Kindergarten and 1st grade. After Kindergarten, I was pleased with the school. He learned & great deal and had fun doing it, which is important to keep kids interested in school. However, his 1st grade teacher ruined all the good feelings. She encouraged the students to be competitive in their learning, which left a few of the students feeling like they lacked the smartness that others had. My son's self esteem was greatly affected this year because of his teacher's actions and he cried often about how much he wanted to go to a different school. I know he wasn't the only child in his class feeling this way. While he learned a lot this year, the schhol definitely did him more harm than good in the way of his self image. We have enrolled in a school in a different county and I look forward to his self esteem & image sky rocketing this year. We are both very glad for him to be away from the judging ways of TFAA.
--Submitted by a parent

My oldest has been at TFAA for 8 years, since Kindergarten, and we have enjoyed each day. The teachers are caring and challenge the children to excel in all areas. The programs offered compare to no other school. Each child is able to go to gym, art, music, dance, Spanish, and computer class every 6 weeks beginning in Kindergarten. It's an amazing opportunity! As she has entered middle school, I am thankful she was able to stay at TFAA since it is K-8. They have been able to be shielded from many middle school experiences that I don't want her to be involved in like drugs, gangs, pregnancies, language, etc. The students are just a high caliber of kids with good behavior and attitudes. I have been very impressed with the school and from other parents, understand kids from TFAA are more than prepared when they go to high school because of the experience they had here.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is finishing up his first year at Thurman Francis as a kindergartener and we love it there! I have nothing but good things to say about TFAA. He loved his teachers...really enjoyed the arts classes such as music, art, dancing & computer. There was a Christmas play as well as a Spring musical that he was involved in. He has learned so much this year and I'm very impressed with this school. A great group of kids indeed! I can't wait to see what next year has to offer.
--Submitted by a parent

Thurman Francis is well-equipped to draw the cream of the crop in Rutherford County. The future of Rutherford County's Northern magnet school depends on attracting high-achievers (like a magnet). The high-caliber school administrators, Dr. Andra Helton and Jeffrey Duke, make an incredibly attractive leadership team. They've grabbed the 'Ram' by the horns to set high standards of excellence for students and families at TFAA. Strengths include: highly-qualified and professional educators, close involvement with parents who place a strong value on education along with an expectation that college is NOT 'optional,' and a wonderful K-8 concept that provides a small family atmosphere which builds confidence and protects middle-school students from being 'thrown to the wolves' before they are mature enough to make good decisions. Weaknesses include: identity confusion, growing pains, not many after-school clubs, a percentage of students in the magnet classes who are not high-achievers, and a need for corporate sponsorship.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has flourished at TFAA. He has had wonderful teachers every year who continue to work very hard for my child.
--Submitted by a parent

We have only been at Thurman Francis one year. My daughter just completed Kindergarten and we were very pleased! She has had a great experience and has learned many new skills. She loved her teacher and her class. I was very impressed with the time and attention that was given to be sure she was challenged and was learning what she needed to know to be successful in first grade. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone who wants their child to be challenged and pushed to their potential. If you do not want to be involved or want the easy way out you may want to look elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a 4th grader who has been a Thurman Arts Academy since they added the 1st grade as well as a daughter who is now in High School who attended as well. What I like best is the extra curriculum which broadens their horizons and exposes students to cultural differences thru the music class, dance class and let's not forget the foreign language that starts as early as 1st grade. The teachers are Wonderful to offer subjects that involves the students hands on activities rather than lecture style and they match your child's ability if they need more challenging work they provide it in the classroom there may be 5 or 6 different levels of academic work, so you will never hear your child say they are bored. It is a Wonderful experience for our family.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended this school since Kindergarten and is now in the 2nd grade. Each year I can't believe the teacher can possibly be better than the last, but it just keeps getting better! The teachers have gone above and beyond the normal teacher duties to make sure our child is learning and enjoying it. She is always challenged and the word bored never is spoken. The parental involvement is tremendous. The principal has always been accessible and always appears at the functions and special projects the classes do. This is not a school for those who don't want to be involved in their child's education, but if your child wants challenge and a joy in learning it can be found at TFAA.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been going to this school since Kindergarten and it has been wonderful. The teachers that he has had so far have been awesome. The school offers the students a real academic challenge. They get to do so many different things than they have in other schools. The principal is always out in the parking lot to talk and help get all of the kids picked up. I like the small school atmosphere where everyone knows and talks to everyone. I would recommend this school to anyone.
--Submitted by Melissa Pierce, a parent

My children went to this school. The teacher was extremely negative. She talked down to the chidren,and was degrading. She was always yelling at the students. Everyone knows that the way a teacher treats children reflects in their performance, and behaviour. I would not reccomend this school to anyone.
--Submitted by a parent