Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
The Kessler School is located within the Kessler Park United Methodist Church building at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Turner Avenue in North Oak Cliff. Just minutes from Downtown Dallas, our address is 1215 Turner on the Northwest corner at Colorado Blvd. (2 blocks West of Sylvan)
Do you do entrance testing?
No, there is not an entrance test. The applicant is required to have a scheduled classroom visit before enrollment is considered. For elementary applicants grades 1-5, prior school records are required to accompany student's application.
How do I get an application?
Download an application or contact us at 214.942.2220. Please review the admissions process before submitting your child's application.
What is the student/ teacher ratio?
We have a ratio of 10:1 for PreK Level I and II. The ratio is 16:1 for Kindergarten and above.
Do you have a uniform?
Students in Kindergarten and grades above are required to wear uniforms. Click here to review uniform requirements.
Do you have Before & After school care?
- Daily Before School Option / No charge
- Daily After School Option / $150 monthly
- Drop-In Before School Option /No charge
- Drop-In After School Option $10 per day
Daily Options: Those parents utilizing regular daily before/after care are expected to pay in advance by the 5th of the month by personal check. When there is a short month (August, December & March), parents can either 1.) calculate the amount owed or 2.) wait to billed at the end of the month.
Drop-In Care: Drop-In Before School care begins at 7:30 am. Fees for After School Drop-In Care will begin promptly at 3:45. Parents arriving ANYTIME between 3:45 and 6 will be charged a $10 fee ($1 per minute late fee after 6:00 pm). Parents will be billed for Drop-In Care at the end of each month.
Is parental involvement required?
Yes. TKS requires parents to sign a Family Volunteer Contract each year. We require 40 hours per family per academic year. It sounds like a lot, but keep in mind that attending PTO meetings, helping on PTO projects and fundraisers, volunteering in your child's class or driving for a field trip can count towards your hours! If necessary, we can provide you with things to do at home! There's an alternate way too, for those with more money than time – you can donate or "buy back" remaining hours at $25 per hour. Joining our PTO is an excellent way to put your energy and talents to good use.
What kinds of students go to The Kessler School?
The Kessler School does not discriminiate on the basis of race, nationality or religious affiliation. We welcome all kinds of students and families. As a reflection of our community and world in which we live, The Kessler School believes that diversity only enhances learning experiences. The School honors a commitment to inclusion in its admission policies, hiring practices, professional development and curriculum. The Board, administrators, faculty and staff are committed to positive environment where the academic and social well-being of all students is affirmed.
How long has The Kessler School been in existence?
The Kessler School began in 1999, however, the Day School of Kessler Park United Methodist Church begain in 1964 and has provided pre-school through kindergarten learning opportunities to the community for more than 40 years. The Day School, which held an excellent reputation in the community, officially merged with The Kessler School in Spring 2001. The Day School's longstanding tradition of providing high quality curriculum and staff training is further strengthened by shared resources from The Kessler School staff. Parents can now plan to continue their child's education beyond kindergarten without changing locations and with a unified curriculum. Combined, the Day School and the K through Grade 5 program of The Kessler School, comprise a single, and formidable, educational institution for this part of Dallas.
Does The Kessler School's affiliation with Kessler Park United Methodist Church mean that the beliefs or practices of students of other faiths or denominations may be compromised?
The Kessler School is devoted to the broad inclusion of families of all walks of life and of all faiths. In the words of its official sponsorship agreement with Kessler Park UMC, it is "a nonsectarian school that places strong emphasis on the sound moral growth of each student as well as his or her achievement of academic excellence… [When] the Church and The Kessler School jointly sponsor a religious observance or educational program during regular school hours, appropriate alternatives to participation will be made available for any student whose parent or guardian requests in writing that the student be excused from participation in such activities."
Is Chapel attendance mandatory?
Those who prefer that their child not participate in our monthly chapel services during school hours must notify The Kessler School, in writing. In this event, we are glad to arrange alternative opportunities for moral and spiritual growth congruent with the beliefs or heritage of your child's family.
The Kessler School offers a semi-monthly 20-30 minute service for elementary students (K-5). The service is led in the chapel by Rev. Dr. David Carr, Senior Pastor of KPUMC. Sensitivity to the diverse religious traditions, beliefs and practices of all students and their families is a core value of The Kessler School.
What kind of tuition payment options do you have?
- Plan I: Full Payment (cash, check or money order)
- Plan II: Semester payments - 1/2 in July and 1/2 in December (through FACTS Tuition Management Company)
- Plan III: Monthly payments (through FACTS Tuition Management Company)
- Plan IV: Credit Card - MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, Visa (2.5% convenience fee applies) See Marci Adams in the office for details.
Are you an accredited school?
For our 1st through 5th grades, we are proud to announce our SACS/CASI Accreditation (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). Please visit the SACS website for more information.
Does your program meet the state of Texas licensing requirements?
Yes, we are license exempt but we are voluntarily in compliance with the state's licensing requirements.
Can I come and visit the school?
Definitely! We encourage prospective parents and students to visit The Kessler School during one of our casual, weekly Open Houses each Thursday between 9am & Noon. Appointments are encouraged, but not required. Please call Marci Adams, Operations Manager at 214-942-2220, to set up an individual or group appointment.
Is there a gym on site?
Presently, there is not a gym or similar facility on the property at this time. There is a safe, outdoor playground, as well as a recreation area for physical fitness. In the event of inclement weather, our children utilize Fellowship Hall.
Is there a foreign language offered?
Yes, our curriculum currently includes regular, daily Spanish instruction for all aged students.
Will students have access to computers?
Yes! As part of a generous grant received from The Hillcrest Foundation, students have the use of computers under direct supervision of TKS Faculty/Staff. K-5th grade computer lab curriculum includes an introduction to keyboarding, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Third, Fourth and Fifth graders create and demonstrate a PowerPoint presentation. The students spend time on activities at www.learning.com, and the computer lab is filled with thematic activities. For Preschool children, computers are used minimally in our Level I & II classrooms – primarily as a timed learning center during "free choice" time.
Do you offer a sibling discount?
Yes. The eldest child is at full cost. Additional children receive 5% off tuition. Discounts apply to tuition only and NOT Enrollment or Supply Fees.
Do you provide lunch / snacks?
We do not have a cafeteria on school grounds. We offer Chicken Nugget Wednesday & Pizza Friday for those interested. Children who attend TKS all day are required to bring their own lunch and children in Grades 3-5 have access to microwaves. For our PreSchool & Kindergarten students, snacks are brought by families/students on a rotating basis according to age group & teacher discretion. You should let your child's teacher know if there are any food allergies or restrictions.
Do you offer a referral discount?
You Bet! The best advertising we get is word-of-mouth from our existing families & students. If you're a TKS parent and a friend writes your name as their referral to TKS, YOU get $250.00 per student who enrolls. Referrals must be enrolled on or before September 1st of the academic year AND have paid required fees for discount to apply. Discount will be applied in the month of November.
Where do students go when they graduate from The Kessler School?
Our goal for students who graduate from The Kessler School is for them to be prepared for any educational learning environment. Our graduating students have furthered their education by attending St. John's, Lakehill, St. Elizabeth, St. Marks, Episcopal School of Dallas, Fairhill, Travis DISD, Canterbury, Parish Episcopal, Bishop Dunne and many other wonderful schools.
Do you administer the TAKS Test?
No, we do not teach to, nor administer the TAKS test. Yes, we do give our students a yearly standardized test called the ERB. It is administered to students in 1st - 5th Grade.
Do you offer financial aid?
Yes, financial aid offerings are made to students entering *Kingergarten through 5th Grade. FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment will be conducting the financial need analysis for The Kessler School for the 2011-2012 Academic School Year. Families currently receiving tuition assistance AND/OR those who are eligible* for 2010-11 will need to complete an application and submit the necessary supporting documentation to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Applications are available the beginning of November in the school office.
Award amounts and percentages can vary from year to year.
Do you offer after school activities and summer programs?
Yes. We offer afterschool programs which vary year to year. Violin and cello instruction are optional for students in Kindergarten - 5th grade and is available for a small fee during the school day. Strings instruments are provided for students.
Also, piano instruction is available for an additional fee.
We offer Camp Kessler, our full time summer camp program. Click on the Activities page for more information.
In addition to The Kessler School-sponsored activities, you can find Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts in the neighborhood, and dance and gymnastic classes are held at studios just a few blocks from the school. Find a classmate and carpool!