Keister Elementary School

100 Maryland Avenue

School District

Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for Harrisonburg City Public Schools

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 May 19, 2020

Good. It’s a huge improvement coming from Stephens City. The teachers are well educated and care. The administration is excellent and work hard to get parents involved in their children’s education. My frustration was getting them to promote my child to the correct reading level. She’s dyslexic so she reads slower and will mispronounce words. Her comprehension is excellent. She reads at an upper middle school or early high school level. Since COVID19, I have had her completing 7th grade reading comprehension workbooks and she breezes through them. The school (reading specialists, teachers, and administrators) would not place her correctly which left her constantly frustrated.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2020

Just ok. Not excelling in anything but not terrible either. Older building, older teaching styles, need to overhaul their system. Teachers themselves are good but it's like a good driver in an old jalopy of a car. Only so far it'll get you.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2018

This school has done more for my nine year old than stone spring ever cared to do.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2016

It bothers me that the school is overcrowded and it's hard for all children to be taught equally. There are many things talked about with education and learning but getting it done appears not to be happening and maybe that's why they haven't been making their bench mark. Parents and problems are still being dismissed at Keister and at the leadership level it seems they don't have much interest in working hard to meet what is needed.
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2015

It's time for a Keister review update as the previous reviews do not reflect my family's experience, nor the experience of the many families we know. The administration of this school is excellent and is not just "warm and caring" but attracts many of the best teachers around. Teachers are nurtured, work in teams, and are encouraged to use best teaching practices rather than focusing on the ever-changing tide regarding high-stakes testing (while completing the necessary steps required legally). It appears, that the teachers thrive and are empowered in this school to teach with the focus on deeper learning. Teachers are happy and teaching, and as a consequence, kids are happy and learning. The dual-immersion program, in it's third year, is very strong, as a result of hiring teachers with experience in addition to being qualified to teach Spanish/English. Keister is also a school with a true "neighborhood" feel and not only focuses on academics, but the individual child as well as the Keister Community. There are 18 languages spoken at Keister, but the school manages to have one voice.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2014

Some of the other ratings are old. My family's experience with Keister allows me to say it is an outstanding elementary school! Other comments refer to over-crowding and a principal who is no longer at the school. Over-crowding is no longer a problem for two reasons; 5th graders now attend middle school (they used to be at Keister) and city-wide there is a slightly lower number of children in the lowest grades. The current principal and leadership at Keister is outstanding. The mission of the school is clearly backed by action and responsiveness to individual students, teachers, staff and the school community as a whole. The school has great scores in regard to testing. But what sets it apart are the many and diverse programs that are not dictated by standardized programs; Keister involves families in every aspect of the school experience; they are attentive to students' needs and are willing to empower teachers. Keister has "walking days" three times a week, when they encourage all children to walk (or bike) to school; bused students walk upon arrival. The school has a garden that students get to work in, and provide food for the cafeteria. A dual immersion language program.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2013

Keister is over crowded, and has really let instruction slip. There is a lot of talk about learning, but not a lot of anything except SOL prep worksheets. A huge disconnect between what gets said and what actually gets done makes it difficult for anyone to change anything.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2013

We are very particular about our kids school. We visited 4 local county and city schools before selecting Keister. We have not been disappointed. The teachers are exceptional. The school uses Singapore math and ISTEM, two evidence based instructional methods. Our children are learning Spanish in the early grades. The testing used by Keister was able to identify gifted abilities in our children. We have been happy with the challenge classes. Many of the parents are educated and/or invested in their child's success. The principal is hands down one of the best leaders I have met. She maintains a presence in the classrooms, considers the needs of the group well and builds an atmosphere of teamwork among teachers/staff/parents. She is truly exceptional. The diversity among the student body is a great benefit.