Kirk Elementary School

My husband, son and I all love this school. The staff is very friendly and my son's Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Johnson, is excellent. The school is very clean and the children always seem happy to be there when I drop in. The staff/teachers do a great job keeping the kids under control and still keeping a positive vibe.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! My daughter enjoys going to school here. The staff and administration are awesome and they really care about the individual student. Of course, my daughter works hard, follows the rules, completes her homework, and is prepared for tests. You have to give equally to get equal results. As parents, we are also very involved with the PTO and stay on top of activities and needs of the school. The principal walks around, sees what's going on, and really gets involved...he's not a desk sitter, which is great.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that my children have received an excellent education at Kirk! The teachers work very hard and are very dedicated. Student/Teacher Ratio: approx. 18 to 1. Mr. Ogilvie, principal, continues to steer this school in the right direction and has stated the importance of not falling behind, especially with technology and what the future holds for our children. The school is very diverse, primarily due to being a 'bilingual' school with almost half the students being Hispanic. Bilingual classes are separate from 'mainstream' classes. The Gifted and Talented program is challenging for those students who qualify with projects and activities that make them think 'outside the box.' The neighborhoods that feed to Kirk are primarily gated communities that offer a 'melting pot' of families. The PTO offers many ways to get involved (science programs, JA, classroom readers, Family Fun Nights, Festivals, etc.) and parents are highly encouraged to volunteer.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school! This school is very dedicated to each student. Excellent staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Kirk is very average. It's situated in the middle of expensive gated communities but 50% of the school is tagged 'economically disadvantaged'. this translates to very little parent involvement from this group. Our biggest complaint is that Kirk does not have a good GT program. 8 students tested in but they have 22 in the class. The school teaches down to the average student instead of encouraging children with high academic potential
—Submitted by a parent

Kirk is a great school. Teachers are dedicated. PTO is active. The gifted and talented program supports the high achievers. Music teacher is wonderful. PE is on target. Chess club, choir are great after school activities. Family atmosphere. Front office staff are also great and welcoming. Nothing bad to say about this school. Thanks to a job well done.
—Submitted by Satisfied parent, a parent

My two children have attended Kirk for the past two years. I have been very pleased with Kirk. The teachers and support staff are wonderful. The entire staff at Kirk have the child's best interest in mind. Mr. O is a great principle and the teachers seem happy under his leadership. Great job Kirk.........
—Submitted by a parent

We have to move and I am so sorry to leave Kirk Elementary after only my daughter's kindergarten year. She received an excellent, well-rounded, and nurturing education here. I commend and thank the excellent teachers and the very supportive staff (music, PE, art, library, even cafeteria personnel) for a job well done!
—Submitted by a parent

Kirk has given our children everything they need to be happy, well rounded kids. A loving atmosphere, a curriculum that covers everything a child needs to thrive and more, challenging teachers and wonderful friends who come from our surrounding neighborhoods and parents who care! We couldn't be more satisfied with our neighborhood school!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been very satisfied with the level of education we have received for our children. The teachers are very helpful and good with the children. There is a high level of participation from the parents making this a very welcoming school.
—Submitted by a parent

Academia has been completely acceptable and I think, creative. The arts (music, pe and art) have not received as much time as I would like; think this is outside of the school's control. The parental involvement is good; the ones that can, do. The volunteer base at all 3 of my children's schools has decreased tremendously in the last 5 years.
—Submitted by a parent

Kirk has received a bad rap from individuals who do not go to the school. Kirk has an outstanding group of teachers and a top-notch principal. My children are in their 3rd year and I have been pleased with the school and my children are very happy there. Kirk also has a great base of parent and grandparent volunteers always willing and able to assist the teachers and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Good parent involment, diversity , convinience and great building.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very diversified with low income and high income students. The school sits nestled in a very expensive neighborhood yet had 50% low income students. The school tends to spend most of it's time dealing with the 'trouble makers' at the expense of the other students. As a result parents who live in Lakes on Eldridge are almost forced to send their children to private school if they want a good education.
—Submitted by a parent

We believe Kirk has room for big improvements. With such a high economically challeneged and english as a second language rate, the teachers spend more time discipling and spending more time getting those challenged kids 'up to par' with the rest. We found many kids showing complete lack of respect for teachers, property and other students, and we ended up removing our child from this school and sent to private, where she now loves it.
—Submitted by a parent

New PPCD program and they are the only school out of three that our child has attended that cares. They take action, listen, and communicate very well. They are awesome.
—Submitted by a parent

we believe Kirk has room for improvement, and has the potential to better itself, with better leadership than current. There is need for more African American Teachers, who can be more disciplinary with the students. More focus should be put on Academics , teaching to the kids, as the goal of the school. School opened about 1999 or so. 50% economically disadvantaged, should get more funding to look at the social needs of its students.
—Submitted by a parent