Gerald M. Parmenter Elementary School

My child came in in fifth grade ahead of peers on all state testing. After two years, they were in the bottom percentile for math and lower for ela. Math was taught using YouTube videos, teachers didn’t know enough to help. Parents email and get warnings from admin to no longer contact teacher directly and to only contact the asst principal. They say they teach foreign languages, yet the 8th graders can do no more than introduce themselves years into French?!

This school is now closed and students go to the Helen Keller Elementary School.

I disagree with the person that said this is a great school. Parents are fed up. The ones who love Oak are cliquey and busybodies. If you’re a working parent or not able to volunteer money or time, don’t expect to be welcomed. There are some great teachers but serious issues are swept under the rug by administration. If your child doesn’t need extra help or academic support, you will love Oak. The minute your child struggles and you request extra help you’ll be treated differently. The staff gossip about parents and there is a negative culture. The PCC (the school’s PTA) spends a large portion of their funds on teacher appreciation and sucking up. Majority of the teachers are paid very well (close to or above 6 figure salary). If you enjoy sucking up and never questioning anything, you’ll love Oak. If you are concerned about how a school responds to behaviors, bullying, or struggling academics then please do not choose Oak. It only gets worse in the middle school. Choose a house in the Keller zone if you can or avoid Franklin entirely.

We moved to the Jefferson district prior to having children. Once we had kids and looked to move to a larger home, we didn't even consider moving to another part of Franklin. The school has the nicest campus in town, the students all know each other, the administration makes it a point to know each student (the one negative comment from 2014 seems odd, and that principle has since left), and the communication with parents and partnership is amazing. They often look for feedback from families, champion kind and respectful behavior from their students, and have a great staff of teachers who really work as partners with their students' families.

Our experience has been very positive. The Teachers and Administration care a great deal about the students and create a sense of community.