Kerr Elementary School

1325 Glendover Drive

School District

Allen Independent
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Allen Independent School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 11, 2022

I usually don't write reviews, but when I was googling the school to call them about my kid's attendance, I was so shocked to see the rating by some of the other parents. Personally I have two kids going to Kerr elementary (one currently in 1st grade, and the other in 5th grade). My older one is on the dyslexia and speech program; whereas, my younger one is on the speech program. From my experience, the school has been fantastic to work with. The administrators I have interfaced with cares and have been very courteous. Are there incidents of bullying? yes, sure, there is; however, just with any place, I make sure I use it as on opportunity to teach my kid how to handle different scenarios and incidents. When my kid fell behind on the Starr test, they had met with me several times to go over action plan, and ensured my kid had after school tutoring. Overall, I have nothing by great things to say about kerr elementary.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2020

Very good super good super well very
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2019

Total Waste . Kids get spoiled in this school easily.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2018

We had a very poor experience at this school, though we tried for two years to get through it. We finally decided to move, in order to escape such a sad environment for my kids. I felt bad dropping them off daily, as they lost the sparkle in their eye for learning, socializing and enjoying school, like an elementary student should. I am so pleased with our new school. It is day and night, from Kerr. I hope the parents continue to try and create collaboration with their kids and grow the PTA. It really shows in a school and unfortunately Kerr has a very negative view on parent involvement. Good luck.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2017

i want to like this school... I really do. Academically, I think they do a fab job. But school should also be fun and a place to develop socially. The District needs to mandate more recess time! With expectations so high kids need a break and fresh air (only 15-20 min avg per day) so they can focus better when back in class. Also, I so wish principal Streitmatter would invite parents to be a partner in our kids education vs keeping us at arms length. Discipline is tough at Kerr. For kids that thrive in structure they get through it, the kids who are free spirits struggle.
Submitted by other on January 26, 2017

I agree with several of the recent postings. Military force is used. Children may not talk in the halls, bathroom and children will have consequences if they TALK (not food fights, etc) too loudly during lunchtime. Lots of yelling and whistles being blown. Talking during gym. Recess has been reduced drastically. The tiny bit of recess they do have will be taken away from all of the class for the tiniest things, although they tout eating healthy and have a Healthy Eating Challenge. The administration does a poor job of communicating with parents. Parental involvement does not appear to be welcome. Many activities to make school a well rounded experiences have either been reduced or eliminated. Elementary education is a collaborative effort between parents, teachers and school administrators and the Principal, in particular, does not appear to support this type of collaboration. We have many years with several years at Kerr and it has declined greatly. There have been some amazing teachers. Many have left. Most do not seem happy to be there. This experience sets the stage for your child's educational experience and memory. At first I though maybe the tactics used at Kerr were Texas wide because we are not Native Texans. Come to find out, this is NOT the case. At the current time teachers seem unwilling or even bothered to communicate with parents, but will put on a different face in front of administration. The STARR testing seems to be PRIORITY one as is evident in the schools rating vs the community's rating. I'm sad to say that at the current time we are counting down the days until Kerr is not a part of our lives. My child is an "A" student and has never expressed negative feedback about many things in general. But Kerr has been the exception.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2016

My daughters have been attending Kerr for three years now. The teachers are attentive. They encourage student self development and independent thinking as well. They care about each and every student making the appropriate amount of progress. Highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2015

This school uses military force with these children it's disgusting and sad. My kids first day of school was standing in lines all day with a whistle being blown at them. They tell the children to be quiet yet the teachers yell more then the children do. PE they don't even do anything. My kids come home telling me that they either are just allowed to talk or not talk at all and run during PE time. I'm very disappointed. At my children's last school PE was very important. They had so many fun activities planned. Out of the 20 teachers I've met I would say 1 seemed to love there job. The other 19 have this nasty attitude, they blow there whistle and tell children line up now and say stop talking. I've moved from out of state and I'm not loving this high rated school. If you want to be a teacher then please teach. Don't act like your an army sergeant. It's been 1 week and all I've heard is negative things how much yelling teachers do, yet they are telling the kids not to yell or talk. My children are A+ award acheiving students. They come home and tell me everything. If things don't change I will be forced to homeschool. What happened to the common all American school? Teaching to teach because that's what you love. What happened to dropping your child off at school so they can play or eat breakfast, not be forced in a line where they can't talk nor stand. The bell rings at 7:55 they tell you. Yet I drop my kids off at 7:45 and they are yelling at my kids no you stand off by yourself with this group of kids not with your class.........because why!???? The bell rings at 7:55. Why are my children being forced to sit out and be humiliated. Whistle being blown at them and to not talk your late. Sorry I didn't know 7:45 was late??? This is not the school for us.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2015

This school uses a very thumbs down approach to controlling children's behavior. When my Kindergarten child was sent to the Principal's office for not listening, they created a new behavior chart to be followed. Then when my child had a PERFECT day under their new system, her teacher didn't give her the reward (a brag walk to the Principal's office). We emailed the next day and the Principal said she would be happy to see her. But then when my child was sent for the brag walk, only the Asst. Principal was available. FAIL! This Principal is terrible! The communication with the teacher was also terrible. She redid my child's behavior chart so much in the last few weeks my child was at Kerr that I didn't even understand the expectations (so how was a 5 year old suppose to get it?) The best thing I did for my child was transfer out of Kerr. As my child would say "it is a hateful place with hateful people". My only regret was trusting that the school wanted to help get my child on track, and not making the transfer sooner. My child is now happy to go to school again and guess what, no Kerr = no behavior issues!
Submitted by other on August 27, 2014

This school is really fun..... Whenever I went to middle school a couple of years ago,I felt like I wanted to run away from middle school, and just go back into Kerr elementary! that is how much fun/memories are there !!! I cried because I wanted to go back to that place Kerr ! I always did feel that urge to go back..to the really fun place Kerr elementary... The teachers are really nice and take care of you very well.. This school gives you a very nice environment to work... Let me tell you their #1 priority is keeping children safe....... Please go to this school.....
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2014

This school is great. My kid has been here in the past 5 years from kindergarden to 5th grade. It makes me feel great every morning to say goodbye to her and watch her going to Kerr happily.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2013

I now have a Kindergartner and a 3rd grader at this school - the few times we have had concerns regarding our 3rd graders progress, the teachers were very quick to provide assistance and help us enhance her progress. If you read through the reviews - most of the reviews focus on lack of parental involvement. I think it's important to understand the differences in "parental involvement". First and foremost, there are several moms up at the school 20+ hours a week - volunteering in PTA, room mom, etc... I work full time, but do manage to be a room mom and have lunch with my kids at least 2 times a month on stage (cafeteria). Then, there are the moms that feel they are more educated than the teachers and they know best in how to teach children. These are where the negative comments are coming from. Parents need to put their children in a school that will teach their children, then, for any gaps in education, it is the parents responsibility to enhance academic learning at home. In short, the school administration will not let you sit in your child's class and interrupt with your way of teaching. If you are looking for that - this school is not for you.
Submitted by other on December 19, 2012

I am a retiring school teacher from another district whose daughter teaches at Kerr Elementary. Not all schools are wonderful to their teachers, but Kerr sounds like the kind of school I would love to have taught in myself--supportive parents, supportive administration, kind students, supportive co-workers. To the few bad-apple parents who think the school ought to be focused on you and willing to work with you and willing to help your child and willing to blah blah blah--you are clueless. I know you. I've had your children through the last thirty-two years. They are just like you--spoiled, selfish, lazy, and think that the world revolves around them. Grow up. Thank you, Kerr Elementary, for treating my daughter so well and making me even more proud of education in north Texas, some of the best schools in the nation!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2012

So far this year there have been three BASIC science issues that have come to my attention. No luck discussing it with the teachers because they do not know what they don't know. My children like the teachers because they are "nice". Nice does not equal competence.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2012

I have had two kids attend Kerr elementary school and each one had an extraordinary learning experience. My kids were challenged in their scholastics and well supported by the teachers. This is a very positive and safe learning environment for students.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2012

The principal actions suggest that she considers parents to be intruders in HER school. There is no attitude of partnership with parents on behalf of the students or administration. If you want to help out at your child's school, if you believe education must be a partnership between you and the teacher, then Kerr is not where you should be.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2012

This school is awesome. My daughter is a 3rd grader and she has been in this school since Kindergarden. We are very pleased how much she loves this school, her teacher and her friends there.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2012

Have appreciated the support provided by Abbey Weinstein in working through IEP's. Very supportive and helpful.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2011

Kerr is an amazing school. The Principal is very far and works well with the parents and kids. You have to remember she is there to take care of the children and she does the best job I have ever seen. I am very involved in this wonderful school and I am so happy we are there! If you are looking for a great school with good teacher and a great principal then this is your school!
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2011

Both of my children went there. They loved it! Most of the teachers are great and the principal is very receptive to suggestions. My son was in a math competition outside of school (AMC8, or American Math Competition for 8th grade and under) because it was not offered at the Kerr (or any of the Allen ISD schools for that matter). I told the principal about it. She immediately looked into this matter with the school district. Going forward, it will be offered at Kerr!