Keister Elementary School

Though this is an average to good school overall with a number of strong teachers, it has been in a steady decline under the current/new principal (as evidenced by test scores and parent feedback). The principal may be "warm and caring," but shows no leadership or initiative in making the school better and appears to just be riding the school's previous reputation. Keister's ESL and free lunch population is lower than other city schools and it makes less progress with its student population than other schools. Keister's previous principal is now at Spotswood Elem and is making significantly more progress with a more challenging student population. As the 4 star review parent notes, parents and problems are dismissed at Keister and gifted and other programs are all but non-existent. There just seems to be less interest and less hard work at the leadership level at Keister.
--Submitted by a parent

Keister has been under the leadership of a new principal for the past 3 years which has caused the school to loose it's excellent reputation. This school has not been good for my child because issues that I present as a parent are not taken seriously. I would not recommend Keister to anyone new moving into the area.
--Submitted by a parent

Keister is a awesome school because it has a nacher trail,Energizers(dancing program),great teachers,and a beautiful back yard!
--Submitted by Judith, a parent

Contrary to what the previous review said, I think the principal is the best thing about Keister. She is accessible, warm, and caring. I think the biggest problem with Keister is the necesity of focusing on ESL students test scores. The ESL population is so high, that they have to--and they really do an admirable job in this area--but non-ESL kids seem to get overlooked. Especially those who are above average or gifted. This is, of course, not just a problem at Keister, but at all Harrisonburg public schools. Overall, this is a good school with a real warm community atmosphere, but as the parent of a gifted child, I strongly feel that her needs are not being adequately met. What's more (and this could just be her teacher) I feel like I am not taken seriously when I address this issue. This is one school that NCLB has not helped.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has fantastic teachers, and in 2004 it was a National Blue Ribbon School, unfortunately there has been a change in the principals and the school has totally changed for the worst. Student needs are no longer on the priority list.
--Submitted by a parent