Owners – Pre School

Roy and Jennifer met while working together in 1994. Married in 1996, the Keisters have again combined their management talents for their own business. Two of their daughters have graduated from Scottsdale Academy while their third continues to thrive at the pre-school.

Roy Keister has his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with an extensive background in operations management, human resources, strategic planning and budgeting. Prior to working in the field of early childhood development, his professional career crossed from retail to restaurants. After a decade with Dillard’s Department Stores, he was recruited from his position as store manager to guide Steak n’ Shake restaurants for the next 8 years. He left his corner office in Atlanta where he was responsible for 65 restaurants, 8 District Managers and 3,500 employees to support his family’s growing pre-school business.

Jennifer Keister has her Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Marketing. Before operating Scottsdale Academy, Jennifer worked for a decade as a Group Director for The Zimmerman Agency, a public relations and advertising firm. She has always worked in a female-dominated field and finds fulfillment in guiding and motivating strong women. Since operating the private pre-school in Tallahassee, FL Academy, she has gained her Advanced Level Director’s credentials.

Company History

Scottsdale Academy was established in Sept. 2003 and operated as a childcare center daycare in Tallahassee. In August of 2005, Roy and Jennifer Keister purchased the Academy and quickly elevated the service to an early childhood development school. In October 2006, all components of Scottsdale Academy were evaluated including: administration, classroom environment and licensing compliance, parent and community involvement, advocacy on behalf of children and child care, teacher credentials, training and background screening, teacher to child ratios, classroom interactions, literacy and curriculum. The baby care and pre-school center achieved high scores on all indicators of quality. Scottsdale Academy became APPLE accredited (Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment) and also achieved the Florida Gold Seal of Quality status.

Recognizing the need for high-quality childcare and consistently being at 100% capacity with a waiting list for new students, the Keisters expanded the Academy by adding a 2,100 square foot expansion in Sept. 2007, consisting of three additional classrooms, a sunroom/multipurpose room, and playground.

After completing the accreditation process again in 2009, Scottsdale Academy’s APPLE Accreditation has been extended to October 9, 2014.

Scottsdale Academy continues to be one of the most reputable centers private pre-schools in Tallahassee, Florida.