Tuscaloosa Magnet School - Elementary | Tuscaloosa, AL (2026 List)

About Tuscaloosa Magnet School - Elementary

Tuscaloosa Magnet School – Elementary (TMSE) is a public magnet school serving grades 1 through 5 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as part of the Tuscaloosa City Schools system. Located at 315 McFarland Boulevard East, TMSE offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), integrating inquiry-based learning, global awareness, and creativity across all subjects. The school enrolls approximately 300 students with a low student-teacher ratio, fostering personalized attention and collaborative projects. TMSE emphasizes international-mindedness, second-language learning, and community service while maintaining rigorous academic expectations. Families gain admission through a competitive application process that prioritizes academic readiness and interest in IB philosophy. Led by Principal Brenda Parker, the school consistently ranks among Alabama’s highest performing elementary programs for achievement and innovation.

Contact Information

Address

315 MCFARLAND BLVD E TUSCALOOSA AL 35404

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Phone

(205) 759-3655

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Website

https://www.tuscaloosacityschools.com

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 72%

Reading 87%

State average proficiency is 72% in Math and 87% in Reading.

19

Full-time Teachers

16 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

294

Total Students

$57687

Avg. Teacher Salary

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 7:55 AM - 2:40 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 7:40 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Student Demographics

White 49.66%

Asian 5.44%

Hispanic 3.74%

Black 40.48%

Two+ Races 0.68%

Native Am. 0%

White

49.66%

Asian

5.44%

Hispanic

3.74%

Black

40.48%

Two+ Races

0.68%

Native Am.

0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 294

53.06%

156 Female

46.94%

138 Male

Student Population

294 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 16 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

292 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Latest News

In spring 2025, TMSE celebrated its 15th anniversary of offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, highlighting alumni success and program achievements.

The school’s Robotics Club and Science Olympiad team both advanced to state-level competitions in 2025, showcasing its focus on STEM and inquiry-based enrichment.

FAQ

Q1. What grades are offered at TMSE?

A1. TMSE serves grades 1 through 5, specializing in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

Q2. How competitive is admission?

A2. Admission is based on an application and selection process, as the magnet program serves students across the district.

Q3. What extracurricular programs are available?

A3. Students participate in Robotics, Science Olympiad, art, music, student leadership, and service clubs, alongside IB-driven projects.

Q4. What is the demographic and economic profile of the school?

A4. The student body is diverse, with about 48% White, 32% African American, 12% Hispanic/Latino, 6% Asian, and ~20% qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch.

Q5. How is the school rated by parents and education platforms?

A5. TMSE is consistently rated among the top public elementary schools in Alabama, with a 10/10 score on GreatSchools and strong parent satisfaction.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

What Parents Say