Kiker Elementary School

After much contemplation, I'm writing this: After years working to obtain the best possible public ed for 3 children, I'm watching my grandchildren in a totally disgusting school. Physically, the facility has awful smelly, unsanitary portable classrooms. The mental part is even worse with huge quantities of bubble sheets, standardized tests, and they are learning nothing about the earth, the world around them, nor do they know what social studies are...yet, the lion's share of my property taxes go to fund the schools, and Kiker is not in an urban development zone. I hear about bullying, complaining that they're not learning, and a whole lot about very long testing which is producing more stress than I could ever have imagined. While my own children were good students and loved school, both of my very bright grandchildren don't even want to go there. The only good thing I have to share is that my grandchildren presently have good teachers and the office staff is pleasant. The principal is a bully and a lot of bullying goes on in the school. Kiker is not a safe place to be in or in which to accomplish academic learning. They are already in 3rd and 5th grade.

Teaching to the test is what Kiker does best. Two years was all we could stand. We hated to leave our neighborhood school, but our kids weren't learning much. Some of the teachers were really great, but the principal only cares about the "Exemplary" rating. Over the years, she has run off a lot of great teachers and many wonderful families. Don't let the "Exemplary" rating fool you.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at Kiker, and thankfully, our last. Nothing could have prepared us for the emotional and intellectual suffering that our daughter has endured at this school. Initially, we attributed our daughter's constant complaints about bullying, excessive homework and a punitive learning environment to a rough transition to a new school. She has since transferred to a different classroom and her school experience has improved greatly, thanks to a kind and caring teacher who is genuinely concerned about students. I am writing this review today because I do not want to see another family suffer the way we have suffered at Kiker. After speaking with many of our neighbors, we have since learned that our experiences at this school are not unique. Each year, increasing numbers of families in our community leave Kiker and enroll their children in nearby private schools or choose to homeschool their children.
—Submitted by a parent

Hey I'm in 7th grade now, and I thought Kiker was amazing!! Everyone was so smart, and the principal really did help us be nicer and respect others more. She talked to us almost everyday before our classes started, and I still remember her 'kindess, dignity, and respect' saying. I would say kiker helped me alot. It got me so involved with other activities. I thought challenging academic programs helped me better with some subjects, and most of my teachers were great!!

It's sad to see how two irresponsible parents blame the school for their own neglect. Kiker was a great school for both my kids and staff, teachers and principal go above and beyond. They make children better by not comparing them to others, but to themselves. As for the parent who mentioned the teacher in a previous comment: shame on you. A "C" student at Kiker is far better than an "A" student elsewhere. Own up to your responsibilities and stop blaming the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

If you love your children, DON'T send them to Kiker. This school is totally obsessed with test scores and your child will spend the vast majority of their instructional time engaged in test prep. The administration caters almost exclusively to the 1%; the parents who volunteer, donate money and serve on the PTA. Good luck trying to discuss instruction, curriculum or academic programs with the principal; she is nothing but a bully and a complete incompetent when it comes to addressing the needs of students.
—Submitted by a parent

Kiker was a great school! However, in science class, it was hard for me to focus because most of the time, we only read out of the book. We would visit the lab maybe once or twice throughout the whole year. The GT Program was great for the upper grades because that was when we really started doing GT stuff. In fourth grade, we did Sunshine Math. In fifth grade, every Monday and Wednesday, we would do math stuff, like Sunshine Math and worksheets. On Tuesday and Thursdays, we would do Language Arts stuff, which most of the time was a project, for me, one was a project on Homes Around the World, and the other one was free choice- I chose Food- it was the best project EVER! Overall, Kiker was a fabulous school!

Kiker is a strong school for 95% of the school population. Because of lack of funding, be aware that there are some drawbacks. Students do not go to weekly technology lab. Nor do they have hands on science learning daily or even weekly. My fourth grader (who is a straight A student) has not even been taught the scientific method yet. This is something that falls on the parents to do once a year during science fair time. As for GT students, there is no GT program. They are lumped in with bright students and given a lot of homework to do. Our GT student feels bored and reads a ton of books, and helps other students who are on grade level or who need help. The administrators talk about every students' needs being met...but they do not understand or meet the needs of GT students. Even if the teachers have GT certification, that does not translate into the teacher having the time and support to tailor curriculum to meet the GT students' needs.
—Submitted by a parent

Kiker has made a huge difference for my 1st grader. His Kindergarten experience was challenging to say the least. His teacher at Kiker has been phenomenal (Mrs. Diane Henry). She has the structure and attitude and genuineness that my son needed! We were concerned about changing school when we were rezoned and it has been a blessing!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a kindergartener at Kiker and just love this school. He does too and has never once told me he doesn't like or want to go to school. That's a good sign! The teachers and staff, the culture and traditions, the focus on character building and leadership development I couldn t ask for more. I highly recommend this school and feel very fortunate that my son is a student there.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children. One is in special need program and they have the funding to help those who need extra help. However, our other child is above average and he was completely ignored by his teacher even after we mentioned his reading ability level ( he is a 6 years old that already chapter book for 10 years old), he was even tested for gift & talented but it would take the administration and bureaucracy works another six months to give him some challenge school works. Prior to that he would come home after school in tears and boredom as the teacher seems to not understand his need. So in conclusion, if you have an average or special need children the this school is for you. However, if you have above average or gifted child then you will feel very frustrated trying to explain to teacher what your child need.
—Submitted by a parent

The administration and all the teachers are wonderful. There is a dedicated staff that make the school seem like family.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to Kiker from a small community with a rank 3 public school and in one year the dedicated and wonderful teachers and staff at Kiker were able to really make my sons bloom. They are the greatest!
—Submitted by a parent

My youngest is finishing up his 5th grade year at Kiker so we will no longer be here anymore and I will miss it. This is school is outstanding in all aspects. This school is the type of school you WISH on each elementary student. The Prinicipal and Teachers are so caring not to mention they have high acedmeic standards. We'll really miss Kiker!
—Submitted by Mara, a parent

Kiker is an extraordinary school. I can't say enough about it. The teachers, the principal, and the parents are first rate. Everyone is involved and works together for the children. We are getting ready to relocate to another state, and I only hope we can find a school even close to the caliber of this one. I have my doubts though because Kiker is truly one in a million!
—Submitted by a parent

Kiker is in one word- Amazing. It is essentially a private school in every aspect. The teachers and staff are nurturing as well as determined to assist every student strive for personal excellence in achievements. The parent involvement complements the teachers and staff efforts to result in an excellent elementary school. Moving from the northeast, I had always been warned that schools in the South are just not the same caliber as those in the north. If that is true, Kiker is the exception. Comparing notes with friends all over the country, I know this is a great school. We are very happy to have found it!
—Submitted by a parent

We're very pleased with Kiker. The GT program is serving my son well. Great class size.
—Submitted by Jean, a parent

Primary focus is teaching to the test. Many areas of giftedness are overlooked because of the high focus on the state testing scores. Kindergarten classes were nearly 100% worksheet driven. There were at least 2 children in the kindergarten class that were out of control and more than even an aid designated for them could handle. Very disruptive for the other kids that were expected to behave. The teacher was in one corner telling the class that Level 2 behavior was expected while one of the other 2 kids continued thrashing and yelling in another corner. We are hoping for a more rewarding 1st grade year. Principal appears to not often be on campus. The background of one of the assistant principals is middle-school or higher. So far, a very positive first impression of the 1st grade teacher. We are more optimistic beginning this year.
—Submitted by a parent

We came from Dallas where children just simply do not attend the public school system, so we had planned on sending our children to private schools. That is, until we happened to move here in the Kiker School District. As my husband said, 'this is a public school with a private school feel'. The Principal is outstanding, the teachers are superb, the extras (music, physical fitness classes..etc.) are such a plus, and the parental and community involvement are exemplary. No wonder Kiker continues to get 'exemplary' status year after year. They really live up to their reputation. (By the way, they were overcrowded, but now there is a new school down the road that takes the overflow and has tried to follow in the example of Kiker.
—Submitted by nic, a parent

We found Kiker to be totally overrated. We were unimpressed with the staff as we found them to be teaching solely to the taks test. There was little time left over to challenge the children, encourage them to be creative thinkers, and there was a real lack of instruction on the social level, as we found there was quite a bit of teasing that went unchecked. Everyone was incredibly friendly and there is an extremely high degree of parent involvement. That said, I learned from several new mothers as well from my own experience that certain parents 'run' the school making it difficult to find your niche as they are expected to drive every school event. There is an assembly each morning that is totally unorganized and unnecessary. The arrival and dismissal are not well run and parents wait for more than half an hour to pick up their children.
—Submitted by Michelle, a parent