Why
The Kessler School?
We Educate the Whole Child
Academics
Using thematic units, our staff incorporates interdisciplinary and interconnected lesson plans from social studies to mathematics to language arts to science. Students are taught skills not in isolation, but in a way that encourages critical thinking and creative problem solving.
Fine Arts
Unlike many schools that concentrate
solely on children's academic growth, we recognize the
need for a balance in children's lives. In addition
to a strong academic base, we provide students with
a variety of arts and cultural experiences. For children
who are interested, we offer violin & cello lessons
as part of our instructional program. We also provide,
on campus, access to one of Oak Cliff's premier piano
instructors, Mrs. Paralee Curry. Mrs. Curry provides
instruction on campus twice a week for students whose
parents have made financial arrangements with her.
Our
visual arts program is experientially rich with heavy
cross-curricular emphasis. Students learn the objectives
of art through creative experiences and varied mediums.
Projects often connect to classroom themes and studies
of the social science, world cultures and literature.
Thematic projects are considered in historical and critical
significance and include studies of famous artists,
works of art and styles.
Physical Education
Kessler School students also receive physical education
twice a week. Physical education at The Kessler School
is not your average recess. Instead, students are required
to dress appropriately for vigorous exercise and participation
in both team and individual sports. Students begin with
an appropriate warm and stretch that includes calisthenics,
jogging and other aerobic activities. We provide instruction
in nutrition, individual and team sports and knowledge
of body mechanics to develop students who are fit for
life.
Spirituality
Most importantly, The Kessler School provides a culture
of community and respect. Beginning in our PreK Level I (3 & 4 yr olds) classes, students are taught how to communicate
with their "friends". Students are taught
to use their words to communicate emotions and to care
for each other's needs. As students mature, classes
discuss how friends help each other to be successful
and eventually how to help their fellow men & women.
School-wide service projects, as well as class and individual
projects in the upper grades, provide students with
the awareness of those in need around them and empower
students to use their unique skills and abilities to
help.
The Kessler School also provides bi-monthly chapel services
for our K-5 students with attention to non-sectarian spiritual growth in
an environment that fosters compassion and respect for
a diverse range of religious beliefs.
Spanish Language Instruction
Rounding out our education of the whole child is an
emphasis on the acquisition of the Spanish language.
All students are exposed to the Spanish language, both
written and spoken, on a daily basis. ALL Students receive daily Spanish instruction that begins
with vocabulary development and moves on to verb conjugation,
conversation and written communication. Our goal is
that students who attend The Kessler School (Preschool through 5th Grade) will be well versed in both
oral and written communications in the Spanish language.
Class Ratios
Facilitating children's well-rounded growth requires
a lot of individual attention to students' needs and
strengths. Our small class sizes allow our teachers
to spend quality time and provide quality education,
tailored to the needs of each child. As you can see
from our class ratios listed below, we are serious about
knowing our students.
• PreK Level I (3 & 4 year olds) - 10:1
• PreK Level II (4 & 5 year olds) - 14:1
• Kindergarten - 14-16:1
• Grades 1-5 - 14-16:1
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