Kirby Hall School

Both of our daughters attend Kirby Hall School and we have found it to be an amazing school in every way. The teachers and staff at the school are wonderful and have helped our girls grow and develop in more ways than I expected. It has been amazing to watch them develop intellectually, socially, artistically and personally while at KHS and it is great to hear them talk about it as well. I think it really says something for a school when the children love it as much as the adults and you can really feel that at KHS. I would, and do, recommend Kirby Hall School to anyone who asks me about where we send our daughters to school. If you are looking at schools in Austin it would be a real miss to not have KHS on your tour list.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attended for elementary and I recommend it through grade 5. The teachers are dedicated, caring, and effective. The school is rigorous and expectations are high. I was pleased for the most part, though I thought the homework beginning in 2nd grade was too much. Homework is about 1.5 hours. Though we had a positive experience, the downside is the administration and lack of parent communication. No PTA allowed. The parents are not permitted to meet for fear they will cause trouble and parent input is not solicited in a meaningful way. Parent complaints are not welcome and go ignored. Also, teacher turnover is high. We did not choose to remain at Kirby Hall because we wanted a larger community.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Kirby Hall School for five years now and could not be happier. Kirby Hall School is an excellent fit for the gifted child. The curriculum is challenging in all areas. There is an emphasis on English and language arts which makes the children to fantastic readers and writers. The gifted child in math has the opportunity to attend math classes with higher grade levels. The curriculum also covers areas that are left out by many other schools, such as U.S. and world history lessons from first grade on. The Spanish language curriculum is rigerous and fun. Class sizes are small, teachers are very engaged with each child, and the children are polite and respectful. My three children have thrived under this environment both academically (shown by ITBS and PSIA scores) and socially.
—Submitted by a parent

Kirby Hall is a great school for children to grow not only academically but socially as well. I have 3 boys going there now and I am enjoying the transformation that is happening within them. The teachers there care about each child in their class and work with them so they can reach their potential. Not all children are the same so their potentials will be different. The school expects the most out of each student as well as each parent. Besides the obvious what has impressed me was how much the upper class students get involved with the lower class children. They play and learn together. For me and my family Kirby Hall is worth any sacrafice my wife and I have to make to keep our children there.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Kirby Hall, and we have been very pleased with the school. Our children are getting a top-notch education. The teachers are wonderful, and my children have been challenged/ I believe that they are getting a solid foundation and have been encouraged to love learning. They feel safe and comfortable. No school is perfect, but I do not think I could find a better place for my children.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, Kirby Hall is an outstanding school. I have an elementary age child, so I can only address this level, but the teachers are dedicated and excellent. The curriculum is challenging and the environment is warm and welcoming. My child could not be happier there.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a student at KHS for some time and have finnally decided to leave. I belive that during my time as a student at KHS I have learned to work much more effectivley. My first year when I was little was a nightmare. however, being a person who loves a challenge I stuck with it. It forced me to find my inner time manneger and to not make my parents do everything for me, so I learned a lot of responsibility. My creative writing and annalysis skills have rocketed as have my math skills. I have met teachers I will always remember as great, lessons wich to this day I remember as awesome and friends will have forever. It is not for the feint-hearted though and takes perseverance. I will miss it, but think that now it is time to go.
—Submitted by a student

This review comes from a very objective parent and perspective from several school experiences around the world. Kirby Hall is very involved with each student. The intent to provide the best academic experience is very clear and the lack of apology for unimpressive sports facilities is honest. This school is about nourishing the academic, spiritual, and emotional needs of each child. My children have been in Kirby Kinder-Third and the experience has been amazing. Not only do they test in the top 2% of all students in ITBS testing, but they thrive in the warm family environment. Kids are allowed to be kids at Kirby, but moral standards are also strictly enforced. School uniforms are required as are expectations that they students and parents will support the community goals. I could not have asked for a better foundation for our children. The confidence and education supported by this school is everything we wanted. We were prepared to accept 60 minutes of homework and less facilities to achieve this incredible base in the early years of education. I have a good idea who the vitriolic reviews are and hopefully they won't stand in the way of anyones positive experience.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children in Kirby and they absolutely love it! It is not perfect, but what school is? At the end of the day my kids are happy, healthy, and enjoy learning. The school's curriculum is leaps and bounds above the public schools and many of the more costly private schools. The teachers and administrators are very supportive and nuture the children. If you are looking for a school with small classes and great academics (heavy on math and reading/writing) then you definitely owe it to your child to at least visit the school. You won't be disappointed!
—Submitted by a parent

Our two children (now in 1st and 3rd grade) have been students at Kirby Hall School for a total of five years, and we regard this as the best decision by far that we could have made for their intellectual and social satisfaction. From our own experience at our local, well-regarded public elementary school and from reports of friends regarding other private and public schools, we believe that Kirby Hall offers the most academically rigorous curriculum available in Austin. We and our children have loved each teacher that they have had, and we have been pleasantly surprised by what they have been taught at such young ages. No, the administration is not perfect, but that has never affected our children's educational experiences or their happiness at school. Our children have made some wonderful friends with their classmates, and we with their parents. Kirby Hall students are from a surprising variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, with families who are not homogeneous except in their dedication to and high expectations for academic excellence. It is certainly not appropriate for every family, but if your priorities include a nurturing environment in which your children will be held to a high standard and challenged each day (beginning in kindergarten) with their class work and homework, then we wholeheartedly recommend Kirby Hall for elementary age children.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son went to Kirby k-7th. Then the school just got too small. There were times I wanted to leave: homework load was tough starting at 2nd grade. We stayed and while it isn't the school for everyone it did serve us well. Son went on to the magnet science public school. Kirby could teach him about World History but he needed more in depth study of such subjects. What Kirby does well is that kids are expected to be readers. They are safe. They are expected to be respectful. Due to size you know what is going on with all your children's friends & influences. The 3rd week of public school I got a call from a teacher complimenting our son on his 'excellent work ethic' and politeness. 'He always did his homework'. That came from time at Kirby. It's not perfect but it was good for us.

Withdrawing by previous endorsement of this school. Teacher churn is too extreme to guarantee a good experience year-after-year. A school that does not support its teachers can not support its students.
—Submitted by a parent

I can only speak about the high school as my daughter transferred to Kirby Hall in 9th grade. She is a gifted student and we wanted her to attend a college-prep, adacemically challenging high school. She always had top ITBS scores, and that has continued. As a freshman she had very high SAT score on Biology. She began AP courses in 10th grade, and will have about 6 AP courses completed when she graduates (and nearly all the students score very high on the AP exams). There aren't many extracurricular activities - but that's not why I send my daughter to school. There are plenty of opportunities outside of school in Austin. And Kirby Hall does encourage students to organize their own activities if they choose. We have been very happy with the new friends our daughter has made as well. We recommend Kirby Hall.
—Submitted by a parent

There are wonderful things and not so wonderful things at KHS. You can have an incredible teacher one year and the next you won't know. Wonderful home environment and community, but if you seek a consistant environment it might not be a fit.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter will graduate from KHS this year. I cannot say enough positive things about our experience. Where else would she have experienced field trips to Italy, Australia, and the interior of Mexico?! My daughter was accepted into every college she applied including their honors program. I am a public school teacher in a lake community in Austin, and feel strongly KHS provided a far superior education. The staff and teachers are marvelous. They spent time knowing my daughter's talents and then provided outlets for her to expand them. What a wonderful experience!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended a large public elementary school before coming to Kirby. Frankly my biggest concern other than how she would cope with the substantialy increased work load, was how she would adjust to the smaller student body. I'm pleased to say that she has come through her first year there with flying colors. She has adapted quite well to the school both workwise and student bodywise. She loves the school and I as a parent have been very pleased with the school. I definitely appreciate the excellerated curriculum she receives there and feel she is being well prepared for high school and college.
—Submitted by a parent

Good school, especially in the elementary grades through 7th. They teach a grade ahead so our children are reading quite solid books and doing math that's well ahead of the public (and many private) schools in Austin. I'd be willing to pay significantly more in tuition if it increased the teachers' happiness, I'm that pleased with the education our kids are getting.
—Submitted by a parent

The truth lies somewhere in the middle of the reviews you see here. I personally know several parents who are perfectly content/happy with Kirby. However, most of the negative statement raised here are true. The school suffers from significant teacher churn so you end up playing Russian Roulette for any given year. Many of the new teachers lack the classroom management skills that allow a wide range of learners to happily coexist in a single classroom (this is why the comments are so polarized, if your kid fits into this ever narrowing range, then you will be fine). To put it into perspective, the school had so many students leave this year, they had to drop one of the two first grade classes (as well, one of the first grade teachers left). Proofs in the pudding and folks are talking with their wallets and feet.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has the most excellent and dedicated teachers in Austin! For the third year in a row our child has had the same English, Language Arts, Spanish, Math, History and Science teacher- and each one is simply phenomenol- the AVERAGE ITBS score for students at each grade is at or above the 97th percentile! The drama and music program is excellent- as is art instruction. There is both a female and male coach for PE and both do a super job of making physical activity interesting. Classes are small- always under 13- and fewer than 10 at the middle school level. I haven't seen another school in Austin at which children consistently work at such a high achievement level- and LIKE IT! Unfortunately, as can be seen below, there are always people who spread untrue rumors for whatever crazy reason. As we say in Texas, 'Poor thing. Bless her heart.'
—Submitted by a parent

Every year, there are at least five or six new teachers. With a faculty of 20, it makes a huge difference. KHS is trying to hire teachers who are actually certified, but still, they're usually first-year and they rarely stay. The curriculum is all over the place and inconsistent. This school is absolutely inappropriate for gifted and talented children. It's very systematic, standardized, and implemented by persons with little credentials and zero creativity. High student turnover rate is a concern as well Generally a big thumbs down for old KHS - I recommend Griffin, Waldorf, or Austin Montessori.
—Submitted by a parent