Celebrating Tusculum Elementary

Tusculum Elementary: Meeting Students’ Needs in a Welcoming Environment
Posted on 01/25/2022
Tusculum music class
Tusculum Elementary’s population has grown to more than 750 students from around the globe who speak more than 20 languages. Tusculum is a school where students, families, community members and staff work together to create a welcoming and safe environment to work and learn.  two Tusculum students working at a class table

Since 1936, Tusculum’s long history of service to the community has remained, ensuring every child achieves their maximum academic and social growth. The mission of the elementary school is to provide every student with a rigorous education in a safe, supportive environment that promotes self-discipline, motivation and excellence in learning to meet and exceed all educational standards. The vision for the Tusculum community is to work together to ensure every child achieves his/her maximum academic and social growth.

Every Student is Known at Tusculum, where the staff has worked diligently to identify the academic and social-emotional needs of each student and family. The school staff, administration and Tusculum community worked throughout the most difficult days of the pandemic to provide families with access to the internet, technology or translators to navigate the virtual learning process. 

The school also has served as a hub for support during the pandemic through various avenues to assist families. The Tusculum faculty and staff became students and learned new communication strategies that enhanced a creative form of two-way communication. Those strategies are still used today. male Tusculum student working in classroom

Facts about Tusculum

  • Tusculum was designated as the first LEED Gold Certified School in the state of Tennessee for energy efficiency and earned the Tennessee School Board Award for School Construction.  
  • Tusculum was designated as a Reward school in 2018 and achieved Level 5 in the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System in 2018 and 2019.  
  • Tusculum was approved to be a Disney Musicals in Schools school. After waiting multiple years due to COVID, the Timberwolves will perform “The Lion King” in February 2022.  
  • The Music City Kids Marathon is a Tusculum tradition. Third- and fourth-grade students participated in the Kids Rock Marathon in November 2021, making up the largest group from any school. Every first-grade student received a free bicycle and helmet for the holiday season from Can’d Aid.

Tusculum’s origins go back to 1911, when 15 farming families purchased a piece of land on Nolensville Road for $200 to build a new one-room school. The building was named Tusculum Grammar School. In 1936, an updated school was built and renamed Tusculum Elementary. The school remained there until 2012, when it was relocated to 440 McMurray Drive, where it boasts a state-of-the-art $17 million facility.

“As a graduate of Overton High School, I am honored to serve in the community where I was once a student. Tusculum is one of the most diverse schools in our city. Cultural, linguistic and social diversity is a trademark for our school and is one of the greatest resources we enjoy,” says Executive Principal Alison McMahon. “When walking through the doors of Tusculum, one gets the sense of welcome and belonging which extends to every classroom in the building and beyond.” 

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