Admissions

Waitlist Update as of 3/20/2026

Parent Magnet Informational Meeting Presentation

TFAA Brochure

Application Requirements

Items listed are required for admissions consideration. A recommendation link will be emailed to your child's current teacher. Please ask the teacher to check his/her email for the link.

* Standardized test scores may be downloaded from the TCAP Family Portal. If you are unable to access them, you may request test scores from your child's school.

TFAA

· Applications open December 1^st

· Application Deadline January 31^st @ 3pm.

· Must be a resident of Rutherford Co. at time of application.

· If applying for both schools, must complete an application for each.

· Will only test at one site (indicate choice).

· Screening will be done orally.

· Tours will be offered on Mondays in January and February.

Kindergarten

· Must be 5 years old by August 15th

· Complete application in SchoolMint

· Upload picture of student

· Recommendation from non-family member (preschool or daycare teacher preferred)

Parent will upload student photo

Once application is complete, including recommendation, a link will be sent via email to sign up for a screening.

1^st grade (currently in kindergarten)

· Complete application in SchoolMint

· Upload picture of student

· Copy of full 2024-2025 report card

· Recommendation from current teacher

Parent will upload student photo

Once application is complete, including recommendation, a link will be sent via email to sign up for a screening.

2^nd grade (currently in 1^st grade)

· Complete application in SchoolMint

· Upload picture of student

· Copy of full 2024-2025 report card

· Recommendation from current teacher

Parent will upload student photo

Once application is complete, including recommendation, a link will be sent via email to sign up for a screening.

3^rd grade (currently in 2^nd grade)

· Complete application in SchoolMint

· Upload picture of student

· Copy of full 2024-2025 report card

· Recommendation from current teacher

Parent will upload student photo

Once application is complete, including recommendation, a link will be sent via email to sign up for a screening.

4^th grade (currently in 3^rd grade)

· Complete application in SchoolMint

· Upload picture of student

· Copy of full 2024-2025 report card

· Include 2^nd grade TCAP scores

· Recommendation from current teacher

Parent will upload student photo

Once application is complete, including recommendation, a link will be sent via email to sign up for a screening.

5^th grade (currently in 4^th grade)

· Complete application in SchoolMint

· Upload picture of student

· Copy of full 2024-2025 report card

· Include 3^rd grade TCAP scores

· Recommendation from current teacher

Parent will upload student photo

Once application is complete, including recommendation, a link will be sent via email to sign up for a screening.

6^th grade (currently in 5^th grade)

· Complete application in SchoolMint

· Upload picture of student

· Copies of 2023-24 report card and 2024-25 report card

· Include TCAP scores for 3^rd and 4^th grades

· Recommendation from current teacher

Parent will upload student photo

7^th grade (currently in 6^th grade)

· Complete application in SchoolMint

· Upload picture of student

· Copies of 2023-24 report card and 2024-25 report card

· Include TCAP scores for 4^th and 5^th grades

· Recommendation from current teacher

Parent will upload student photo

8^th grade (currently in 7^th grade)

· Complete application in SchoolMint

· Upload picture of student

· Copy of 2023-24 report card and 2024-25 report card

· Include TCAP scores for 5^th and 6^th grades

· Recommendation from current teacher

Parent will upload student photo

K-8th are all required to send email (through the application process) to a non-family member for a recommendation.

Apply Here

School Tours

Click here to sign up for a tour of our school.

Tours of our school are available on Mondays (excluding holidays) beginning in January.

We’re so excited that you’re interested in visiting our amazing school!

We host tours in small groups so you can enjoy a more personal experience. Our incredible 8th grade Rambassadors will guide you through both the main building and our annex, highlighting our arts programs, academics, athletics, and the wide range of clubs and activities students enjoy. Both prospective parents and students are welcome to attend.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How is TFAA different from a traditional public school?

TFAA is a challenging, academically accelerated school with many opportunities to explore the arts.

Q. Is bus transportation provided for students?

Transportation is not provided for our students. Parents must provide their own transportation. There are after-school options at local childcare facilities, dance, or karate studios if needed.

Q. How many positions are available for 1st through 8th grade?

The number of positions available varies from year to year. Openings depend on the number of students who return in subsequent years. We encourage applying even if there are no current openings as students may move away throughout the summer.

Q. How does the enrollment process work?

Applications may be submitted online between December 1 and January 31. COMPLETED applications include online application submission with upload of report cards and test scores, plus an uploaded teacher recommendation form submitted by 3:00 p.m. on January 31, 2026.

Log in to your account periodically to check the status of your application. If something is incomplete, it is likely the teacher recommendation. Please reach out to your child’s teacher to confirm they have submitted the form. Incomplete applications are NOT processed. It is the guardians’ responsibility to make sure that the COMPLETED application is submitted by 3:00 p.m. on January 31, 2026.

Please see application requirements for each grade in the table above.

Q. Do ALL Kindergarten - 5th grade students have to screen?

Yes. Due to having a level playing field for all students entering, our screening will provide a common data point.

Q. What if my child, applying for the 3rd grade or higher, did not take TNReady?

Students may qualify based on TNReady test scores or appropriate “Gifted” screening tests.  If no such scores are available, scores from other nationally normed tests (for example, Stanford Achievement Test-10) may be considered. 

Q. Where can I find a copy of my child's TCAP scores?
A: Your child's TCAP scores can be found on the Tennessee Department of Education’s website through the TCAP Family Portal.

You can access the portal directly here:

Sign In Page - Family Portal

Q. Are siblings given priority consideration?

Qualifying siblings of current students are given priority consideration. To qualify for sibling priority status, the family must have a student already enrolled at TFAA for the next school year.

Q. Is my current Kindergarten student allowed to repeat Kindergarten at TFAA?

No, current Kindergarten students must apply for 1st grade.

Q. What if we are unavailable when screenings are done? Can I come at a later date?

All kindergarten through fifth grade applicants will be screened. Screenings are scheduled in January and early February. Due to the number of screenings we must complete, we cannot work around preschool schedules, vacations, etc.

Q. When will we be notified of our entrance status?

It generally takes us the entire month of February to review applicants. Letters stating entrance status will be mailed before the end of March.

Q. What type of screening tool is used?

The screening instrument is a cognitive assessment that predicts a child’s ability for academic success in our program.

Q. Can I get a copy of my child’s screening score?

Due to the volume of screenings, we do not send out individual scoring information.

Q. If my child is not accepted into the program, must I reapply the following year?

Yes, students must reapply if still interested in the magnet program.

Q. Does my child have to be retested or maintain a level of achievement to remain in the program once accepted?

A formal test is not given each year to remain in the program. However, strong academics, good behavior, punctuality, and attendance are important. Students may be removed from the program if these traits are not priorities.

Q. How do I schedule a tour of Thurman Francis?

In-person tours will be available beginning in January. Visit our website to sign-up.

Q. What if I plan to apply at McFadden School of Excellence as well?

TFAA and McFadden School of Excellence use the same screening tool for applicants. Students wishing to apply at both schools may only screen one time. Scores will be shared between the schools. Students are not permitted to screen at both schools. Applications must be completed at both schools if you intend to apply at both schools.

Additional Information:

All completed applications submitted by 3:00 PM on January 31, 2026 are equally considered.
Please check your email account periodically throughout the application process. Email is our primary form of communication.
If there is inclement weather on the day of your screening and schools are closed or delayed, your missed appointment will be rescheduled for the same time slot on a different day.
School hours are 7:30-2:30. Doors open at 6:45. All students must be picked up by 3:00.
Students outside of Rutherford County will not be considered. All addresses are checked for validity.
Students who move outside Rutherford County are required to transfer to their zoned school.

Questions? Send an email to [email protected]