Skipcha Elementary School

Poor. Thankfully, Mountain View offered to keep my kindergartener after the Skipcha special needs team didn’t show for the ARD meeting to transition him from preschool at Mountain View. I’ve pulled my older child from Skipcha and enrolled him into a private school in Killeen.

Let me start by saying, we like this school but it could be so much better. I have a 3rd grader at Skipcha and this is my child’s first year here. I think the teachers and staff do the best they can but the school has reached max capacity and it shows. When deciding on this school I wish I had known 1) kids only get 10 minutes of recess a day, 2) lunch is only 20 minutes and children must stand and wait until everyone in their class has their meal, 3) there is a music teacher but no visual art teacher at least not that 3rd grade sees. Also, at least for 3rd grade, there are no special classes in 2nd language (they have ESL), daily or weekly musical instrument instruction, or science. I only mention this if you have come from a school system where this was available. Also, I do not know if these concerns/ observations are limited to Skipcha or are mandated by the Killeen ISD. Lastly, there are a lot of tests. There is a lot of getting ready for tests. The better than average standardized test scores reflect this preparation but I question how much is test prep and how much is applied learning- there is a difference. I would love to see some out of the box thinking from administrators on helping teachers make that happen.

My Daughter has attended both 4th & 5th grade at Skipcha. The staff has been enjoyable and always supportive. They also have an excellent Gifted & Talented program.

My daughter has gone here since kindergarten and is now in 2nd grade. The teachers aren't made to give spelling tests. My 2nd grader can't spell, can barely read, or do math. Teacher turnover is high, and most of them are only there to collect a paycheck. Maybe my daughter just fell through the cracks, but I'm deeply disgusted withe the lack of education she has received.