Keystone Elementary School

I'm blessed to have my 2 boys in Keystone. They started in Kindergarten & it was such a wonderful experience for us. Mrs Stage is one of the best teacher. She is really professional but above all caring & really patient with her students. Mrs Biggs, Mrs Links, Mrs Degranfireid are really caring & patient also. Mrs Isaacman & Mrs Graham are going the extra mile for my son that was going through a rough path. They helped him to work harder. I really appreciate their tenacity and care. Coming from Europe education has always been really important for me. Teachers are really important in our children's lives and should I say sometimes the only ones that will make an impact for their future. I feel really safe to leave my kids in this school. Every staff member works really good as a team to take care of their safety. Mrs Pam in the front office is always really helpful, knowledgeable & very caring. I don't know all of the teachers but what I see every day is an amazing level of professionalism. Thank you so much for your dedication, I really appreciate it & will always be grateful. Michele Mifsud-Avery, Parent
—Submitted by a parent

Keystone used to be a wonderful school but now it is awful! The former principal Mrs. Jensen was very polite and caring. The new principal is very rude and is not concern about the students only the school image. I would NOT reccomend this school at all. My child was harrassed, humiliated,teased and abused by her teacher, the principal and staff members.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children that attended Keystone from 1996-2006. They received the best foundation that a public school could possibly offer. Of course, there was reinforcement at home. They were well prepared for middle school and excelled on standardized tests. There was only one incident of a substandard teacher/educator but we endured. This almost caused an academic and social disaster with my child and me. Overall, it was a top-notch education. The school is now open to neighborhood residents and I'm not sure if this has driven the quality of education in a different direction. Needless to say, I was more than pleased with my children's tenure at Keystone.
—Submitted by a parent

Keystone is the best. It has the best Principal, Teachers, Staff and Parents. I have a son, a niece, and a nephew that attend and Keystone really makes a difference in their lives!
—Submitted by a parent

Keystone has been a wonderful school for 16 plus years. This previous years, a very short sighted board decided to make changes which almost sunk the ship. As parents, we hope that the present administration will toughen up and demand more rigorous adherence to school rules and regulations. At present it seems the administration is more focused on the aesthetics of the school than the learning environment. I would like to see the principal in the classrooms and hallways more. My child has shared incidents with me of which she has no knowledge. This is not a good practice to say the least.. You can depend on your AP or counselors to monitor in your stead. Please try harder this year. Karmeta Williams
—Submitted by a parent

I think Keystone is the best school in Memphis . This will be my daughter 4the year going to Keystone. The Staff is the BEST. You can go to the school on any day of the week and the school will always be in order. My daughter reads above her grade level and loves to read anything @ anytime. The one thing my daughter love about her school is that they listen to her and go the extra mile to get her where she should be. They expect nothing less from the kids. The Keystone kids are always number one. and so are the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Keystone is wonderful. My daughter is in Kindergarten and already reading and making change. The teachers are wonderful and really care.
—Submitted by a parent

This is one of the best schools in Memphis. My daughter attends kindergarten there and is reading on almost a second grade level. There kindergarten program was one of the best programs I have seen yet. Her Teacher Mrs. Stage is a great teacher who really cared about my child's education and provided her with the best kindergarten experience that any mother could ever ask for.
—Submitted by Freda, a parent

I am writing again to let all parents know that Keystone cares about the kids, and that reading is very important. Our son is reprensenting Keystone this year in the MCS Reads program that Keystone offers, and he has done very well. Reading is the key to great students and this must stay a part of the school programs. Keep keystone the way it is, and lets go up to 8th grade if we can. All parents need to know when the zone meetings are going to be and take our Keystone students with us, so that they may speak their feelings about Keystone also.
—Submitted by Mrs. Wilburn Franklin (Beth), a parent

I am so proud that my children are a part of such a wonderful school. The staff is caring and tuned into the individual needs of the children. The enrichment staff,i.e. music, P.E. library, and computer teachers, are stellar. The CLUE program for the gifted and talented is also exceptional. Parental involvement is unequalled at other schools. Keystone's great- let's make it K-8! Frances Miller
—Submitted by Frances Miller, a parent

'Keystone is great, let's make it K-8!' We've learned that life at Keystone may soon make an extreme change. I believe that Keystone IS the best place for our children to receive an education. The quality of learning is outstanding. Their behavior here is more mature. A wise mother has the idea of making Keystone K-8. That will fill the void. I'm rallying with her. Won't you do the same? We must come together as a true P.T.A. and stand firm to keep Keystone the solid school it is. My daughter is excelling & I'd like to keep it that way. Hopefully, my son will follow her. The teachers & support teachers are exceptional. The administration is second to none. I refuse to chance my children not having an accerated education. Let's hold tight to what we have at Keystone. And, keep our babies safe!
—Submitted by Rebecca Wooten, a parent

I was unable to give all of my views about Keystone in the word count so I am continuing. Our second oldest started Keystone in first grade and has done wonderfully. He especially loved the music program at the time and it has continued for him as he has been the member of a local band that has recorded a CD. He graduated high school May 2005, and is currently enrolled at Southwest, where he is hoping to major in Graphic Arts. We have a student currently enrolled at Keystone who has struggled at times, but I believe without their concern and care for the students, he would not be doing as well as he is. The school has always shown complete concern and caring for the students as far as I am personally aware. Also, number one school in the city for PTA membership for many years running.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends Keystone and a better school can not be found in this city. It's ranked 5th in the state on test scores. The faculty have always been knowledgable and attentive to the students. But, what makes this a great school is that those that are there, want to be there and work very hard to get and stay there rather than being there because they're sent there. Parental involvement is hgihly emphasized in all areas. Keystone has never been seen in any of the local news agencys' 'Campus Crime' reports. The student body is focused on learning, creating a very positive environment.
—Submitted by Michael Carter, a parent

Now is the time that we all need to come together, even if your child had attended Keystone before and has left 6th grade, we need all the parents back to help keep Keystone and Optional School. This is SO VERY IMPORTANT, and we have a chance to speak out on it and help make Keystone what it should stay, and that is all OPTIONAL, kids come to learn, and they learn. This school has been the best for my family and I would love it, if it went all the way through High School, but we can keep it optional and that is what we need to do. Please HELP!
—Submitted by Beth F, a parent

Keystone is nationally ranked for their academic test scores & ranked 5th in the state of Tennessee. Their PTA had over 1400 members last year, the school has terrific parent support. I would recommend this school to any partents who are looking for an academicially challenging environment for their kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had the privilege of sending two children to Keystone. The academic program has proven to be quite challenging and very rigorous. My children enjoy participating in the music and P. E. programs offered at the school. I enjoy participating in all of the PTA sponsored events and fundraisers. Although I live in the county and have to pay tuition for my children to attend, it is well worth it. The teachers show a genuine concern for all children. The expectations are high for every child and students know this and rise to meet them.
—Submitted by Anissa Christian, a parent

Keystone is a great school! I've had 3 daughters go through this school and they have received an excellent education. The teachers are very involved and you can tell they love what they do. The PTA meetings are packed w/parents and teachers and the principal recognizes the teachers at every meeting. It is definitely THE best elementary in Memphis and recently received the Blue Ribbon Award as one of the best elementary schools in the nation!
—Submitted by an administrator

I have always felt that Keystone is a hidden jewel among a lot of rocks. I think it is the best Elementary schools this side of the Mississippi! The Parent Participation is the best. I'm so glad that my children have this opportunity to be a part of the best school this side of the Mississippi:-) The Principal is super the Teachers are all very well trained. The students all come to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

If you're looking for an excellent school, you've found one here. It is an all optional school meaning that certain academic requirements must be met before acceptance into this school. This is by far the best elementary school in the city.
—Submitted by Diane Heard, a parent

I think keystone is a great school. But overall their kindergarden classes are being tought a little to fast. When you are teaching a child things they need to know in life I think it do take time. They went over one thing one day and than another the other day.
—Submitted by a parent