Franklin Special District marked 120 years of public education on Tuesday, Oct. 27, releasing a short film to celebrate the anniversary of its 1906 founding.

The PreK-8 district, which serves students across eight schools in Franklin, called the date "Founders Day." On Oct. 27, 1906, the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen established the school district. The following year, Franklin Grammar School opened at Five Points, according to a district post on X.

"Happy Founders Day to everyone who calls FSD part of their story," the district wrote.

The commemorative film showcases classroom instruction across the district's schools, according to a district announcement. The district said the film reflects "the work that has helped make FSD a state-recognized Exemplary District."

That designation came from the Tennessee Department of Education, which named Franklin Special District one of 14 Exemplary districts statewide for the 2024-25 school year. Districts earn the label by scoring 3.1 or higher on a 4.0-point scale across performance indicators including student achievement and growth. The State Board of Education approved the designations on Nov. 21, 2025.

The scores are strong. In a June 2026 district announcement, Director of Schools Dr. David Snowden said FSD students outperformed state averages on TCAP assessments by double-digit margins in every tested subject.

"It is gratifying to see that our teachers and students continue to perform at the highest levels across the state," Snowden said in that announcement.

FSD holds a distinctive place in Tennessee education history. A 1949 special act of the legislature gave the district authority to approve its own budget and levy taxes, making it the first special school district in the state, according to the district's website. The district rebranded in 2024, reintroducing itself as the Franklin Special District.

Individual schools have earned national recognition. Liberty Elementary School received a National Blue Ribbon School award, a five-year designation lasting through 2026. Freedom Middle School and Poplar Grove Elementary School hold National Model Professional Learning Community designations. Moore Elementary School has been named a national Super Stretch School for reading growth two years running.

The district did not provide a public link for the Founders Day film in its announcement. The film and other district information are available at fssd.org.