Killeen Independent School District

The Chaparral High School tenor-bass choir is preparing to perform on the state's largest stage for high school choirs - the Texas Music Educators Association convention. See details of their elite invitation here: https://www.killeenisd.org/article/2439198

AP Exam Registration for Home-Schooled Students - Killeen ISD will administer AP exams from May 4 – 15, 2026. Home-schooled students interested in registering must submit the AP Exam Application to Jennifer.Roden@killeenisd.org. After submitting the application, payment may be made.

Application Link: https://aptg.co/lBnmpB
Payment Link: https://kisd.myschoolcentral.com.

Both the application and payment must be received by October 31 to secure exam registration and avoid a late fee. For questions, email Advanced.Academics@killeenisd.org.

Killeen ISD middle school and high school bands put on an amazing show during the sold-out 47th annual Spirit Spectacular. See our story and photos here:
https://www.killeenisd.org/article/2436212

Harker Heights High School celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month Friday with a quinceanera parade that meandered through the hallways to the cafeteria, ending with dances and photos. Many schools across KISD are celebrating the month of cultural heritage.

Clifton Park Elementary School welcomed a surprise guest from the 18th century as well as some state legislators to celebrate a memorable Constitution Day assembly on Thursday. https://www.killeenisd.org/article/2432426

Audie Murphy Middle School students and staff are focusing on acts of kindness and empathy during Start With Hello Week. Read about their efforts to make sure everyone feels welcome. https://www.killeenisd.org/article/2428211

💻🔧 Happy IT Professionals Day!

Behind every login, every classroom device, and every smooth connection is a team of dedicated KISD tech experts. Today we say THANK YOU to our incredible IT professionals who keep our systems running and our students learning.

Your work powers our district—and we appreciate you!
#WeAreKISD

Big dots and small dots on shirts, pants, dresses and shoes as well as stickers on clothes and faces were part of the celebration of International Dot Day at Meadows Elementary School on Fort Hood. See our story and photos here https://www.killeenisd.org/article/2421579

The sounds of drums large and small overlapped with crashing cymbals, twinkling chimes, xylophones and gongs at the inaugural Drums in the Heartland percussion invitational Saturday at Joseph L. Searles Stadium. See our story, photos and video https://www.killeenisd.org/article/2419755

Lots of great representation and conversations came out of last night’s District Optimization Town Hall at Harker Heights High School — thank you to everyone who joined us!
📸 Check out the full photo album from last night here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCtxH8
📅 We have one more town hall:
Thursday, Sept. 11 | 6 PM | Ellison High School
💻 Can’t make it in person? Share your input through the online survey open NOW until October 3rd: www.killeenisd.org/optimization-survey

Skipcha Elementary School honored grandparents on Monday by putting them to work reading to pre-kindergarten through second-graders in celebration of Grandparents Day, which was Sunday. https://www.killeenisd.org/article/2403253

Killeen ISD high school football players, band drum lines and cheerleaders brought the hype Saturday to the annual Touchdown in Downtown event that included a welcome from KISD's interim superintendent. See our photos and video here. https://www.killeenisd.org/article/2401532

Happy Grandparents Day!

Today we honor the wisdom, love, and guidance of grandparents who help shape our students’ lives. Whether near or far, your influence lasts a lifetime—and your support makes our schools stronger.

Thank you for the hugs, encouragement, and life lessons! #WeAreKISD

The Back to School Bash at adjacent Union Grove Middle School and Mountain View Elementary School attracted a huge crowd Thursday to an expanded version of an event that has grown into an annual neighborhood tradition.
https://www.killeenisd.org/article/2398604

#KISDNEWS Killeen ISD has named longtime educator Kathleen Burke as Executive Director for Academic Initiatives. She begins the position on Sept. 16.

In this role, Burke will support elementary and secondary campuses in the design, implementation and evaluation of multi-tiered systems of support, House Bill 1416 requirements, Opportunity Culture and various academic supports provided to students in the district. The position also leads aligned instruction, targeted interventions, campus coaching and professional learning.

"Ms. Burke is a mission-focused leader with extensive experience building early college success," said Dr. Jo Lynette Crayton, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. "Her track record with innovative programming, campus coaching, and student success will strengthen teaching and learning across Killeen ISD."

With Burke moving to the district role, Killeen ISD has named Dr. Alime Sadikova interim principal of Early College High School. Sadikova, who is currently the dean of instruction at the ECHS, previously worked for Manor ISD where she served as principal of that district’s Early College High School from 2018-2025. During that time, the school earned a Distinguished rating from TEA in 2024 and 2025 and graduated the highest number of students with associate degrees during the last four years.

“I am excited to work with the ECHS Lion family and continue traditions of academic excellence and positive school culture,” Sadikova said. “It’s my passion to help our scholars be successful in college classes and ensure that our staff is empowered to support our kids.”

Read more at www.killeenisd.org/news

It's Substitute Appreciation Week! 🎉

Substitutes make a difference every day! 🌟 We’re grateful for the caring professionals who ensure learning never skips a beat. Happy Substitute Appreciation Week! #WeAreKISD

This year’s 47th annual Killeen ISD Spirit Spectacular band showoff is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and shoutouts are $5. Both are available at the following: https://spiritspectacular47.simpletix.com/

The first-ever “Drums in the Heartland” percussion contest is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at Joseph L. Searles Stadium in Killeen. The Harker Heights Red Brigade Band is hosting the big event and Chaparral, Ellison and Shoemaker are set to compete among 11 drum lines in this exciting inaugural event. Get your tickets at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/drums-in-the-heartland

Killeen is hosting 11 other teams this weekend for the Queen of the Court tournament. The Lady Roos had a packed schedule Thursday and will be in action three times Friday (3:10 p.m., 5:20 p.m., and 8:50 p.m.) before bracket play Saturday. #WeAreKISD
More photos: https://tinyurl.com/yy7smjfj