Excellent
#84 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 5% in state
Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts
Elementary School · Rutherford County
221 Todd LN, Smyrna, TN 37167
Enrollment
662
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
662
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Smyrna
#1 of 17
public schools
Tennessee elementary schools
#72 of 1,002
In district
#1 of 50
Rutherford County
Equity
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts
Thurman Francis Arts Academy is a magnet school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Smyrna, Tennessee, with 662 students enrolled. Its arts-focused mission draws families across the area, and the performance data supports the draw: a composite score of 9.4 out of 10 earns it an Exceptional rating. The numbers on academic performance and growth both reach 9.9 out of 10 — a dual peak that's rare.
Ranked #17 of 1,785 public schools in Tennessee, the school outperforms 99% of the state, and among the state's 1,002 elementary schools it ranks 15th. Those figures reflect sustained excellence across grades, not a single strong class year. Within Smyrna, Thurman Francis ranks first among all 17 public schools, which makes it the starting point for most families evaluating local options.
A student-teacher ratio of 15.8 to 1 keeps class sizes manageable — an asset for the kind of individualized feedback arts-integrated learning demands. Parents searching for a public school that combines consistent academic rigor with a creative environment will find few stronger options anywhere in Tennessee.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts — Students at Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.
How Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts Compares
See how Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 80% (2019) to 90% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 71% (2019) to 84% (2021).
Location
221 Todd LN, Smyrna, TN 37167
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stewartsboro Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Stewarts Creek Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rocky Fork Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Smyrna, see our Smyrna schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Smyrna Primary Smyrna | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| David Youree Elementary Smyrna | 0.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Smyrna Middle School Smyrna | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Smyrna West Alternative School Smyrna | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Smyrna | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| LANCASTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smyrna | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Smyrna High School Smyrna | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Rocky Fork Middle School Smyrna | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Stewartsboro Elementary Smyrna | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Smyrna Elementary Smyrna | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Rocky Fork Elementary School Smyrna | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Lavergne High School Lavergne | 2.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Cedar Grove Elementary Smyrna | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Rock Springs Middle School Smyrna | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| John Colemon Elementary Smyrna | 3.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Stewarts Creek High School Smyrna | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Rutherford County Virtual School Smyrna | 3.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Stewarts Creek Elementary School Smyrna | 3.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Stewarts Creek Middle School Smyrna | 3.6 mi | 7.2 |
| ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Murfreesboro | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37167 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,720
Median Home Value
$330,600
Median Rent
$1,359/mo
Population
63,660
College Educated
28.1%
Homeownership
60.4%
Avg Commute
26.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts has a median household income of $79,720. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $330,600, with a median rent of $1,359/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dogwood Elementary School Germantown, TN | 8.8 |
| J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle Memphis, TN | 8.8 |
| Lake Ridge Elementary Johnson City, TN | 8.8 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Kingsport, TN | 8.9 |
| Alcoa Intermediate School Alcoa, TN | 8.9 |
| Creekside Elementary School Franklin, TN | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts
What grades does Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts serve?
Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts?
Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 662 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts rank in TN?
Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts is ranked #84 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts has a composite rating of 8.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts has 85.0% math proficiency and 77.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts a charter school?
No, Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts a Title I school?
No, Thurman Francis Arts Academy/magnet School for the Arts is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Smyrna). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 662
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Rutherford County
- Phone
- (615) 904-6715
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County- District Enrollment
- 51,595
- Schools in District
- 51
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,708
- District Rank
- #1 of 50
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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