History
ATMSA History
Apalachee Elementary was founded in 1969, alongside the establishment of five other schools in Leon County. During its planning phase, several alternative names were considered, such as Rolling Hills, Lafayette, and San Marco. Ultimately, the School Board unanimously decided on the name Apalachee Elementary School. Initially, classes were conducted in a nearby building until the new school's construction was completed.
In 1999, Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts (ATMSA) emerged as Leon County’s pioneering elementary magnet school program. This initiative was the vision of six dedicated teachers: art teacher Pam Brewster, first-grade teacher Debby Bennett, Exceptional Student Education teacher Tracy Dennis, third-grade teacher Frances Homme, art teacher Cheryl Meighan, and second-grade teacher Karen Noel. These educators conducted extensive research, visited other art magnet schools in the Southeast, and successfully persuaded the school board to approve the program. The program was graciously hosted by Principal Mr. Ross Witherspoon at Apalachee Elementary, which was then renamed Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts. The school's identity was further solidified with a logo designed by Jefferson Tavares and a school song composed by Mary Register, performed by students daily and at school events.
Under the guidance of subsequent leaders including Principal Dr. Iris Wilson, ATMSA flourished in its educational endeavors, emphasizing artistic integration. The school achieved heightened academic success, earned the Florida Arts Achievement Model School endorsement, participated in numerous community performances, including those at Disney, and formed a professional development partnership with the Kennedy Center. With the arrival of Dr. Pam Hightower, the school embraced a renewed dedication to excellence, characterized by data-driven instructional practices, new arts partnerships, increased parent and student engagement, and spirit weeks. The administration, faculty, students, and community celebrated the school's progress in improving its grade, nearly reaching a B, and adopted Dr. Hightower's school-wide slogan: “Destination A.”
ATMSA’s program integrates the arts into a data-driven, state-approved core curriculum. Over the years, the school has offered a diverse array of arts programs, such as violin, graphic arts, gardening, band, chorus, visual arts, leadership, dance, and theater alongside core academic subjects. The educators and staff at ATMSA are committed to fostering a passion for learning while nurturing students' inherent creativity, aiming to cultivate a holistic educational experience.
Principal History
Dr. Pam Hightower
Tiffany Williams
Jennifer Ricardo
Dr. Iris Wilson
Ross Witherspoon
Freda Winn
Rachel Hemmerly
Gloria Gant
Apalachee Elementary was established in 1969, when five other schools were created in Leon County. Several other names were considered for Apalachee while it was in the planning stages, including Rolling Hills, Lafayette and San Marco. The School Board ultimately unanimously agreed to name the school Apalachee Elementary School. Classes were held in a nearby building until construction of the New Apalachee Elementary was complete.
Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts (ATMSA) was established in 1999 as Leon County’s first elementary magnet school program. ATMSA was the dream of six local teachers, art teacher Pam Brewster, first-grade teacher Debby Bennett, Exceptional Student Education teacher Tracy Dennis, third-grade teacher Frances Homme, art teacher Cheryl Meighan and second-grade teacher Karen Noel. These six teachers completed the research, traveled to see other Art Magnet schools in the Southeast, and convinced the school board to approve the program. Principal Mr. Ross Witherspoon graciously agreed to house the program at Apalachee Elementary. The school then became known as Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts. The school’s identity was cemented with a logo later redesigned by Jefferson Tavares. Mary Register wrote and composed the school song that students sing at the beginning of every day and the end of every school performance.
Since then, ATMSA has excelled in enhancing student education through artistic emphasis. Through the leadership of principal Dr. Iris Wilson, ATMSA saw increased academic achievement, Florida Arts Achievement Model School endorsement, extensive community performances including Disney, and a partnership with the Kennedy Center for professional development. A renewed dedication to excellence has swept the campus with the arrival of Proud Principal: Dr. Pam Hightower, who brings laser-focused data driven instructional practices, new arts partnerships, parent and student engagement and spirit weeks. Administration, Faculty, Students and the community celebrated increasing the school grade to just a few points away from a B and Dr. Hightower introduced the school – wide slogan: “Destination A”.
Our program incorporates the arts into data-driven state-approved core curricula. Over the years, ATMSA Arts offerings have included violin, graphic arts, gardening, band, chorus, visual arts, leadership, dance and theater to the core academic schedule. The goal of the educators and staff at ATMSA is to help students develop a passion for learning while nurturing their existing creativity.
Principal History
Dr. Pam Hightower July 2023 -
Tiffany Williams July 2021 - July 2023
Jennifer Ricardo July 2018 – July 2021
Dr. Iris Wilson July 2009 – July 2018
Ross Witherspoon July 1994 – June 2009
Freda Winn July 1993 – June 1994
Rachel Hemmerly July 1992 - June 1993
Gloria Gant January 1979 – June 1992