The Kessler School

1822 West 10th Street

Dallas, TX 75208

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-6
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 03, 2017

Our son has been at TKS since Pre-K and we plan on remaining part of the very active community through the last grade available. The school has a relatively new Head of School was has a laser like focus on education and the future of the children that attend the school. She is an asset that is taking TKS to the next level and beyond. It is a small and growing school and rapid, but well thought out, changes are being instituted as the school constantly improves. TKS has a wonderful community of parents and children. My son was "adopted" by some of the older students when he started and he has now done the same with some of the younger students. Our family went through a life changing event a couple years ago and the school and other families supported and embraced us, for which we will be eternally grateful for. Our son is not only in a nurturing environment, but one that has allowed and encouraged him to come into his own and have a childhood that he will look back on fondly.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2017

Our family loves this school - small class sizes with personalized attention paid to students and an accessible administration, all on a beautiful, tree-filled campus in the heart of Kessler Park.Also, the family diversity is unlike any of the other private schools we looked at, including racially, socio-economically, religiously, sexual orientation and many other measures.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2017

don't go here, not a good school
Submitted by other on February 17, 2017

I have seven years experience with The Kessler School. Kessler School horribly mishandled a physical, social and emotional bullying situation which came to light late in Spring 2016. The 4th grade teacher who is no longer teaching at TKS verbally blamed the victim in parent conference. The school awarded the bully student of the year the final day of school while knowing the student had physically bullied a classmate for more than a year. No action was taken to resolve the bullying by the school and the school's response has been that "it didn't happen" despite the witnesses and intervention of other children to stop the bullying. There have been no known consequences to the bully, so this situation will likely follow that child into the future as the child continues to victimize and abuse others. Bullying occurs when authority figures are absent, inattentive or compliant to the bully's will.In October 2015 the Kessler School forced my child to attend religious services despite written and verbal notification against the child's participation in those activities. The school's response was to take no responsibility in the matter and there was no apology forthcoming.I witnessed an angry and exasperated pre-K teacher screaming at a minority pre-K child; a boy. While everyone suffers stress, I cannot identify a situation that could arise in a pre-K classroom to merit such a response from the teacher. At this writing in Spring 2017, said teacher continues her employment.In August of 2015 the head-of-school was suddenly removed. No reason was provided to the community as to why. The replacement process was largely behind-closed-doors, ensuing changes came rapidly and without communication to the parent community. The perception is that the removal was purely political and personal; putting the interests of others ahead of the interests of the children they are being paid to serve.I found more lip service to the idea of inclusion and educating the whole child than actual education and good faith acting. Serving the interests of adult egos and financial interests must not interfere with protecting vulnerable children. Full stop.
Submitted by teacher on October 17, 2013

The Kessler School is a community in every sense of the word. From teachers and students working together to learn new and better things to parents and teachers helping to add value to our programs. Everyone enjoys being at TKS every day. Shouldn't elementary school and learning be this fun for every child?
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2013

We became parents to a 7 yr old virtually overnight. Having lived in Oak Cliff for 20 years we were not keen on sending him to DISD and researched private schools all over the city. After much deliberation and consideration we decided on The Kessler School. I cannot begin to tell you how very glad we selected TKS - this school year was the first year for the new Head of School and the school is going in the most positive, creative and growing direction I have ever seen in any learning institution; her child also attends the school. (I, too, went to a private school). The Head of School is tireless in the planning and carrying out of well thought out objectives; the teachers are dedicated and caring and there is a strong parent-teacher organization. I cannot recommend this school strongly enough to parents with Pre-K thru 6 grade kids. By the way, after just the first year in Oak Cliff (she came from a North Dallas private school) this new Head of School was named Elementary School Educator of the Year by the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2013

We have been at The Kessler School for four years now and it just keeps getting better and better! The new head of school is amazing and has brought unbelievable energy and passion to the school. The teachers and staff are equally as passionate about the school and helping kids learn. The small class sizes and dedicated teachers allow children of varying abilities to thrive and be successful. The various opportunities - art, Spanish, technology, music, PE, yoga, etc. - offered by a small school is really unique and enhances an already great school. We are looking forward to what the future holds for TKS!
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2012

My girls have been lucky enough to be at the Kessler School for the last 3 years. We were looking for small class sizes with an individual teaching strategy. My girls are very smart but learn in different ways. We wanted the teachers to be able to individualize the curriculum and excellerate their progress in areas of strength while catching up areas of weakness. The whole child approach includes academics, citizenship, health and social skills. While we don't live in Oak Cliff we have found student and parent friendships easy to make. All the grades mix in social, creative and academic ways. This leads the upper grade students to know all the lower grade kids names and be very protective of them. It is a safe ,creative, academic and social enviornment. Based on the girls progress we have been very pleased with the school. Recent upgrades in technology have enhanced the program further. We love our school. GO OWLS!!!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2012

We have been involved with the Kessler School for four years. I have a 1st grader and a PreK student. We were looking for a nurturing environment with a focus on the arts, low student to teacher ratios, and an environment that would instill a passion for learning. When both our children attended the half-day Pre-K program, they were so upset when we picked them up at noon because they wanted to stay all day so we ended up putting each one in full day program beginning the second semester. We are excited about the recent changes and look for to another great year of learning!
Submitted by parent on July 07, 2012

After giving public schools a shot, we finally settled in to the nurturing setting of the Kessler School over 10 years ago. The best move we have ever made for our 4 children. Besides having had an excellent curriculum, my kids had Spanish daily and Art, Music and P.E at least twice a week. In addition, they had the opportunity to private piano and strings lessons. Tuition has always been quite low especially in respect of the programs being offered. 3 of our kids have already outgrown TKS but they remember the school and its teachers fondly. My husband and I are grateful to the Kessler School because it provided the base for our older children to become productive and responsible young adults. Our youngest is 10 and therefore still a work in progress. But we already see signs that he, too, is profiting greatly from being part of the Kessler School.
Submitted by other on May 31, 2012

The Kessler School is adequate. There is certainly nothing wrong with their programs. (The art program is wonderful.) I cannot find anything that justifies the extreme tuition. The Rosemont School offers programs that are every bit as good, but already are paid for by your property taxes. Other than the perceived superiority of a "private school" over a "public school" there is nothing offered at The Kessler School that you cannot find elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2012

I am a parent of a preschooler and know that my child is loved, given many opportunities for free-play, outdoor play, social development and age appropriate activities. He is given patient discipline and guidance. If you visit TKS you will find a caring, welcoming community and diverse learning environment fit to further your child's education.
Submitted by teacher on February 02, 2012

The Kessler School community is student centric in every way. The students are successfully transitioning to prestigious private schools throughout the Metroplex in particular as they enter middle school. The faculty is incredibly collaborative, the students are highly engaged learning real world concepts that are relevant to the 21st century, and the parents are incredibly active in all aspects of the school's mission - To Educate the Whole Child.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2011

Great Nurturing Environment The Kessler School has exceeded our expectations-We have had our 2 girls at TKS since they were in PreK. Our children have benefited from the strong academic balanced with art, music, community service, physical education and after school programs.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2011

Without going into too much detail, my only response is this. Please do a thorough review of this school before you send your child there. Ask about curriculum (ask to see it in detail). Most importantly, ask to view the director's credentials and the credentials of the staff. Ask to see which textbooks are being used (and ask to visually examine one) and look at the overall condition of the school. I think if you follow all of the advice above, you will most certainly decide to send your child elsewhere.