Do you do entrance testing?
No, there is not an entrance test.
The applicant is required to have a scheduled interview with Dr. Marsha Lilly before enrollment is considered. For elementary applicants grades 1-4, prior school records are required to accompany student's application.

How do I get an application?
Click here to download an application (MS Word) or contact us at 214.942.2220. Please review the admissions process before submitting your child's application.

What is the student/ teacher ratio?
14 to 1 for PreK Level II and above; some classes are even smaller than that.

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, attending events & fundraisers, donating goods, helping in your child's class or with a field trip -- and even answering the phones 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 $10 per hour. Joining our PTO is an excellent way to put your energy and talents to good use.

What kind 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-Grade 4 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."

Are Chapel services mandatory?
The Kessler School offers a semi-monthly 20-30 minute service for elementary students (K-4). The service is led in the chapel by Rev. Dr. Tim McLemore, 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. 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.

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 (2.5% convenience fee applies - through FACTS Tuition Management Company)

Are you an accredited school?
The Kessler School is very proud to be an NAEYC accredited learning facility. Since the system began in 1985, NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accreditation has provided a powerful tool through which early childhood professionals, families, and others concerned about the quality of early childhood education can evaluate programs, compare them with professional standards, strengthen the program and commit to ongoing evaluation and improvement. Click here to visit the NAEYC website.

For our 1st through 4th grades, we are proud to announce our recent SACS/CASI Accreditation (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). Please visit the SACS website for more information.

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, Office Assistant at 214.942.2220, ext. 31to 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 that recently underwent more than $8,000 in renovations and improvements, as well as a recreation area for physical fitness. In the even 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, we are excited to be putting finishing touches on our elementary computer lab. Students use the computers under direct supervision of TKS Faculty/Staff. 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. The second child receives 5% off his/her tuition. The third child receives 10% off his/her tuition. Discounts apply to tuition only and NOT Enrollment or Supply Fees.

Do you provide lunch / snacks?
We do not provide a hot lunch program for our students at this time. Children who attend TKS all day are required to bring their own lunch and children in Grades 2 & above 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 5% off any undiscounted tution you're paying. 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. Many remain in the private school setting (Canterbury Episcopal, Greenhill, Lakehill, St. John's Episcopal, Good Shepherd), but an equal number have moved into the public magnet 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 Stanford 10. It is administered in late April to students in Kindergarten to Grade 4.

Do you offer financial aid?
Yes, financial aid offerings are made to students entering *Kingergarten through 4th Grade. FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment (www.factstuitionaid.com) will be conducting the financial need analysis for The Kessler School for the 2007-08 Academic School Year. Families currently receiving tuition assistance AND/OR those who are eligible* for 2007-08 will need to complete an application and submit the necessary supporting documentation to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment no later than Friday, April 13, 2007 in order to be considered.

Award amounts and percentages can vary from year to year.

Do you offer after school activities and summer programs?
Yes. We currently offer Mad Science, Capers for Kids (Drama, Art, and Theater), and yoga after school. Violin and cello instruction are optional and included in tuition during the school day. Also, piano instruction is available for a small fee. String instruments are provided for students.

We are still working on adding more summer programs. For Summer 2008 we have scheduled a Mad Science camp following Kessler Park United Methodist Church VBS, June 16-20, and Capers for Kids following KPUMC Religious Arts Academy, July 14-18. More half-day should be added to the schedule soon!

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!