Moving to Keller and Starting Kindergarten - Questions

My son is a first grader at Hidden Lakes, in Keller ISD, and we haven't run into any of the issues you're concerned about. Elementary in this district is K-4, so there aren't many of the "big kid" issues yet.

There are two kids in my sons class with severe food allergies, and all the parents are made aware of them so we can avoid sending them into the classroom. At lunch there is a separate table for kids with allergies, but there's no stigma attached to sitting there.

I have a 1st grader & 3rd grader in KISD.

First - we love Keller and are very happy with the school our kids attend.

Testing is important in 3rd & 4th grades - but that will be the case in any TX school district.
I feel both kids are getting a very well-rounded education and the school they attend is pretty diverse (both my kids are pretty color-blind because they have been exposed to so many different ethnicities through daycare and the schools).
Your daughter will not need to speak Spanish to get along, however she probably will have the opportunity to practice Spanish at school & with friends if you decide to enroll her in it - which imo is a wonderful opportunity. I took Spanish in HS (CA) and while I remember some of it, if I had had the opportunity to practice with friends I would be much more fluent, which would be a good skill to possess.
Kindergarten in KISD is full day.
Athletics are important in TX, but in elementary school you'll see it outside school not in school - so if you don't want her to participate it's not a big deal. Both my kids play sports and are very competetive, but that's because they want to. They have friends who do no sports at all, hasn't impacted the friendships at all.
I don't think I've ever discussed illegal immigrants at a PTA meeting or school event. Seriously though, don't judge the area or schools by what you read in the media. I used to live in AZ; if you judged by the news you would have to be bilingual to even live there and it's a war zone - which is far from the truth.

Also - I highly recommend www.dfwareamoms.com if you're not already on it. It's a local message board that allows for much greater interaction than Mamapedia. Mamapedia is wonderful, but you can't dig as deep here as you can on a more traditional message board.

I am an education major - taught at the HS level though. I do not like things I have heard from Keller ISD, once you "dig deeper". I have several friends that picked KISD for the special needs programs that are in writing only to find out they're not really in practice. Apparantly KISD grew so big so fast that they weren't able to keep up with what they said they offered, if that makes sense. So on paper they may appear like a great school but I have heard otherwise from several. If you go on the other side of the freeway (5-10 min) from Keller into Haslet area you will then be in Northwest ISD, a much better district imo. Also the highest paid teachers in the state and it's MUCH cheaper to live, you will get a MUCH bigger house (and land if you desire!) for lots cheaper. There is minimal traffic and to drive to Keller to do your shopping (or Saginaw has a WalMart, Albertson's too) is 8 minutes from me. Keller traffic is AWFUL imo (my son goes to preK over there and the 15 minute drive can take me 40 on the way home, it's ridiculous!). I personally wouldn't want to live in Keller and pay their taxes to drive in that mess everyday, but that's just me. I have lots of friend who wouldn't trade it! Personally we have decided to go private school because I really want them in a Christian school (and have smaller classes, be more advanced and not have to worry about the testing (TAKS and soon to be STARS). We have picked Bethesda Christian and have toured it several times and we just love it. I have not found one bad thing about it (I'm sure there are, I just haven't come across any yet) and we just love the atmosphere there. It is K-12. Anyways, feel free to message me with any more questions. Oh, all the ISDs will be full days. Bethesday and other private ones still offer half days though. KISD would be more diverse than Bethesda but at Bethesda's open house there was diversity imo for such a small class (12 is the max in a class compared to Keller's 24 I believe). The majority is white, but there were 2-3 black families, 2 asian families so for being so small I was happy to see there was some diversity still! Bethesda starts Spanish in K, KISD waits until middle school I believe. Spanish, imo, is very important living in Texas (or anywhere to be bilingual, not just Spanish) so I am really happy my kids will start to learn it earlier when they can learn it. Middle school is WAY too late imo. Many schools are nut-free (Bethesda is I believe) but some are not, just depends and some are based on the classroom even (at least at the preK level that has been the experience for us...if one person is allergic no one can have nuts, etc.). Hope that helps!!

Well D.,
Having lived all over the country with my husbands Naval Aviation Career, we chose to retire here in the Great State of Texas. My advice to you is don't believe everything you read, change your attitude before you move here, and open your heart and mind to all the amazing people, places, and things Texas has to offer.

My daughter is a Senior at Keller High School, she is on Honor Roll and is in Varsity Choir. She chose to take Spanish as an elective and earned a "Letter K" for scoring the highest GPA in the entire class of 2011. When we lived in VA she was in a private gifted school and I can assure you her education is outstanding here.

My son is in Kindergarten at Willis Lane Elementary both of which are amazing schools with Superior Academic Ratings and I couldn't be happier with them both. He loves swimming at our indoor/outdoor facility called The Keller Pointe. You should see the athletic equipment--it's HUGE!! You may develop seasonal allergies due to the change in grass type, local trees, etc. Try local Honey and know you'll get used to it.

Home is wherever you are. Not the place, but how you choose to occupy your time and make your house home. If this is a temporary move, have fun and learn all you can from the locals and take those memories with you wherever you go. Enjoy the journey.

Also, if you don't like the weather in Texas wait 15 minutes because it will change. Good Luck--Happy Trails to You!!

Oh my goodness you are definitely coming to the right place!! I grew up from pre-k thru graduation in the Keller school district. My twelve year old daughter is in the kisd and my 4 yr old will begin Kindergarten in the kisd next year. Kindergarten is both full and half day depends on the school. No your daughter will not have to speak spanish to fit in, 72% of all attendees are white-not that it matters. The curriculum, teacher/student ratio is second to none-KISD is the number one school district in the state and 5th in the nation!! Parent involvement is not only welcomed but highly encouraged, you and your child will love it here! Good luck

Hi D.,
I will agree with a couple of the other moms that Keller ISD is not a bad school district. We previously lived in Highland Park (the highest ranked public school district in Texas) and we CHOSE to move to this area so that our kids would be exposed to a bit more economic and social diversity. We did not like Keller ISD or the home values in Keller, instead we chose Trophy Club/Roanoke, which is in Northwest ISD. The drive to Keller from here is 10-20 minutes, depending on what part of Keller your husband will be working. We felt that Northwest ISD had more to offer. I have a 16-yr old High School junior who is in AP level classes and in the Byron Nelson Academy of Medical Professions, her education here has been top notch. I also have a 7-yr old 2nd grader in Roanoke Elementary. He is advanced for his age and is currently in the (Gates)Gifted program. His teachers have always gone above and beyond to make sure that he is challenged and engaged. This year he is attending 4th grade classes part of the day to keep him fully engaged to his reading, math and science level. I have a preschooler too, and I am excited for him to start Kindergarten in this school district. Northwest ISD is very careful with students who have allergies and the teachers seem to be educated in how to avoid issues. My 2nd grader has food allergies and we have never had any problems! In Texas, as in many Southern states, athletics are a big deal in Jr. High/High School, but not at an elementary level. As for the immigration issue-sure, it is a hot topic, but not something that intrudes on the daily lives of people living in suburbs like Keller, Southlake, Trophy Club or Roanoke. One thing to know about this part of Texas is that there are a lot of great churches in the area and a lot of ways to get involved in the community. I attend Gateway Church in Southlake (10 minute drive from Roanoke) it is a large non-denominational church and our family loves it! They have an excellent Children's Ministry and tons of classes and groups that will help you gain new friends in the area. I would love to hear from you, and would be glad to share more detailed info about the area schools and the strengths/weaknesses in them that led us to Roanoke (Northwest ISD) over Keller or Southlake.
Have a Blessed Day

D.,
I don't work in Keller, but by all accounts, the educations is very good. There are other districts that aren't so great, but Keller is. Athletics do tend to rule...but that is high school and mainly football. It really isn't as bad as it sounds. The standardized tests is a real pain, but the educators do what they can for the students. No your child will not have to speak spanish to get along. I have been here since '72 and still don't speak spanish. I teach in another district and there are many children with allergies...the schools are very well versed in that regard. The allergies are handled very well. Keller ISD is a good as my district or better. Good luck!

My son used to go to a Keller ISD elementary. I thought the school was good, he never got a ticket for behavior nor have I ever heard of anyone getting one. The schools are pretty diverse, I am sure there are parents who speak Spanish at a first language at home but that is probably typical of any school in Texas, Spanish was not taught or spoke at our school.

The administration at our school was very well versed in school allergies, I think it was pretty much peanut free. I am sure they work well with other allergies as well, once you find an area you are interested in call the local elementary school and ask to speak with the nurse, each campus has their own nurse.

I would also say that any public school in Texas does focus a lot on the TAKS test which is the standardized test they take here.

I did think the school and the teachers were great. We did leave and choose to send our son to a private school for a variety of reasons, none having to do with the teachers.

Oh and I think the kindergarten is full day now.