Kooken Educational Center
- (682) 867-7152
- 423 N. Center St.
Arlington, TX 76012
History
Kooken Educational Center, located on the original site of North Side School, was built in 1938. Originally called Kooken Elementary, it was named after a principal and superintendent of Arlington ISD, John A. Kooken. In 1988 Kooken re-opened as the only preschool campus in the district. Dr. Joan Rodman was the campus administrator at the time.
In 1993, the school was recognized by the state when awarded a $25,000 Governor’s Grant for Excellence by Governor Ann Richards. The school was recognized again in 1994 as a TEA Promising Practice for parent involvement. In 2005, the school was recognized as a TEA Promising Practice for the integration of disabled preschoolers with their non-disabled peers, parent involvement efforts, and teaching strategies for the diverse classroom.
Dr. Connie Spence was named principal in 1996. The current full-time staff includes teachers of ECSC & ISPD, ESL & Bilingual Pre-Kindergarten teachers, teaching assistants, and additional staff members such as a counselor, nurse, librarian, speech pathologist, technology contact, family representative, student support interventionist, instructional coach, and office, cafeteria, and custodial staff. Itinerant staff includes a music therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, diagnostician, student outreach facilitator, and technology integration specialist. Parents are welcomed to the Family Involvement room daily.