Kirby Hall School

306 West 29th Street

Austin, TX 78705

51 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by other on February 15, 2025

The teachers are really nice but they don't get involved in student conflicts (like arguing over class behavior) that much. I definitely learned a lot such as how to write an essay. The art program was fun and the music/drama teacher was really funny and friendly.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2025

We discovered Kirby Hall after a long search for an academically rigorous school in Austin that is more substance than fluff. We considered 6 private schools in Austin and chose Kirby. Kirby Hall, unlike most schools, is big on providing an individualized education to its students and ensuring that they do not have too much screen time at school. Teachers, administrators and the support staff have been at the school for a long time and are highly qualified, dedicated professionals who work together as a strong team to meet the needs of every student. The small class size is big positive and allows teachers to get to know their students at a deeper level. Our child has unique interests and her teachers have been very supportive of her activities. For example, she started a club, recruited members and manages the club with the support of her teachers. Teachers have high expectations of their students and are able to bring out the best in them. Students consistently compete and win at academic competitions like the Private School Interscholastic Association and at athletic competitions. We are grateful to be a part of this community and hope that it continues to be a supportive and unpretentious place for young minds to grow and succeed.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2023

Kirby Hall has been an excellent fit for our child. The staff and administrators are warm and caring and she is learning a great deal of new material every week. The class sizes are small (10 children), but the "social pool" is large as there are 2 classrooms for most grades. The building is unique and the classrooms are homey and comfortable. The teachers our child has worked with are intelligent, hard working and supportive. Her teachers will also take extra time to work with children who need additional support or show a particular interest. For example, her Spanish teacher meets with her after school to provide additional help, her drama teacher chats with her during advisory about Shakespeare or the class production and the STEM teacher opens up his lab during recess for kids to come build and work on projects. All of the educators help support children's interests and skills beyond the regular classroom time.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2022

Caring school that engages kids in an academically advanced curriculum and embraces SEL.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2020

Five stars! Love this school, our son is very happy here and so are we. It is a caring, loving and engaging environment
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2019

This school has everything we had been searching for. The Primer (PreK) kids experience specials during the week such as Spanish, PE, Theater, music and art each with it's own teacher. Our daughter is gaining so much knowledge from her various classes and has a wonderful core teacher Miss Thomas. She loves going to school here and it's wonderful to see her so happy and cared for during the day. Kirby Hall is really something special and we look forward to her future education.
Submitted by parent on July 03, 2019

My daughter has had an amazing experience at Kirby Hall. The culture focused on kindness, the individual, and a love for learning have woven into her personality and have made truly positive and formative impact.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2019

Background: We have experienced both public and private schools at both the elementary and middle school levels. We have 2 kids - one in 6th and one in Primer. Kirby Hall School provides individualized academic experiences due to its small class size coupled with incredibly overqualified, committed and passionate teaching staff. The teachers have the chance to really get to know your kid - what they are good at and where they need help. And they are committed to continuously challenging your kid to fulfill their potential.The overall environment could not be more welcoming and inclusive. Unlike many of our previous schools, we felt at home almost immediately. And the staff know every child and every child knows they have someone to go to when things aren't going well. The head of school loves these kids like they are her own. And she loves the school as well. And it comes thru in everything they do. KHS is unique in Austin. There are plenty of other good schools - but none of them offers the same level of education and experience offered by Kirby Hall School.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2019

Many people call this place "The Hogwarts of Austin" and it's 100% accurate. Kirby Hall is housed in a beautiful 1920's brick building and reminds me of old private schools found in the northeast. It is charming and quaint. The halls are filled with bright, curious children and teachers that are confident and relaxed. The Head of School is extremely passionate and involved but she doesn't micromanage and gives her teachers the freedom to teach what they love. This place is such a jewel and I'm so happy we discovered it! Our son (5) and daughter (12) both love it.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2019

Kirby Hall is such a hidden gem! Small class sizes, emotional intelligence, approachable teachers with solid pedigrees, and a strong focus on academics checked almost all of the boxes we look for in a school.Our eldest kiddo is exceptionally bright and the reason we started looking at private schools in the Austin area. He participated in the GT program at our EISD elementary school but was still bored and under peer pressure to join the ranks of kiddos being groomed for their sports heavy High School.Our eldest is now currently finishing his 2nd year at Kirby in the 4th grade class and our youngest son is finishing up his Primer year. We could not be happier with level of education and care shown our children. Our kiddos' teachers are interactive, communicative, and on point. The administration is responsive and open to feedback.We are so grateful to have found this amazing school where children are taught emotional intelligence, manners, and that being smart is cool.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2019

KHS is wonderful! The teachers are so caring and amazing, and my children have learned and grown so much. We transferred in after needing more academic rigor, and KHS has provided that, but in the most supportive and friendly way imaginable. The quality of education is absolutely top-notch and the teachers are so wonderful that we are always sad to switch grades, only to fall in love with the next grade's teacher as well! My children love to read and love math, and all abilities and talents are valued. Plus the KHS community supports each other, from parent support to gathering together to support someone in the community who needs assistance. It is a beautiful gem of a school, and I only wish they could grow their higher grades as well as they do for younger years.
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2019

The culture is really the secret of this school. I don't see authority being thrown around, yet the kids treat each other, teachers and even strangers with genuine kindness and respect. The teachers seem to be genuinely happy, engaged and enjoying the kids. Further, almost every teacher has that exceptional brilliance of your favorite teacher growing up. The director's office is always open at the entrance of the school, and she greets parents, children and staff with genuine warmth.There are all sorts of functions to get families involved: coffee, picnics, wine mixers, holiday events, etc. They also do a good job of getting different ages of kids together - such as Reading Buddies, which pairs fifth graders with pre-K students. Add to this the small size, and Kirby Hall really feels like a community. Everyone is so incredibly friendly, including the parents. It really just seems like the culture of the school. The pre-k program at Kirby Hall is phenomenal. The teacher has a masters in education from UT and there are only nine kids in my daughter's class. Beyond that, the teacher is amazingly kind and gifted. Within the first week, she had created a classroom that was calm and respectful. There is a good balance of free time, active time and learning. Even in pre-K, there are dedicated classes for PE, Spanish, drama and art. My daughter wants to go to school each day and is learning so very much!I was a little worried that the school would be full of little Einsteins, but it isn't like that. It's really just a culture that allows kids to feel safe and supported enough to learn. Further, the small size allows learning to be tailored to each kid. So, I think nearly any child could thrive here. I don't think a kid needs to love learning before attending Kirby - rather, I think any kid who has the opportunity to attend Kirby would begin (or continue) to love learning. A middle school English teacher said that her students love reading and would read the entire class period if they could - she only has to think about teaching them. That is a culture I want my daughter to grow up in! My kid loves it. I love it.
Submitted by parent on July 03, 2017

We have two high-achieving kids who attend Kirby Hall School. They are not only challenged academically, but they have thrived in this nurturing and family-like atmosphere that Kirby offers. What we love most is how KHS makes learning fun! They truly enjoy going to school and gaining knowledge each day. The fabulous teachers at Kirby are underrated and really bring out the best in our kids. They also know each child's strengths and weaknesses, and they work with them on an individual basis so that these kids grow into wonderful, kind and smart adults!
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2017

Everybody at Kirby Hall is hardworking and dedicated...from the teachers to the staff to the students! The teachers and staff truly care about each and every student and desire to bring out the best in them. We are thrilled with the excellent education are children are getting with the strong academic focus and small class-room size, as well as the nurturing classroom environment.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2017

Everyone from faculty to family is involved,caring, and extremely outgoing.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2017

Kirby Hall is an academically very strong school with a small number of students in each class. It is a place where kids can learn very well the basic academic skills that will help them succeed in the higher grades. My son attends the lower grade of elementary at Kirkby Hall, and my family is very satisfied with this school. The school teachers and staff are very enthusiastic about their work and the school atmosphere is very friendly.
Submitted by other on December 20, 2016

I graduated from KHS in 1990. It is Austin's Hogwart's.
Submitted by other on December 12, 2016

I will get straight to the point! If you have a highly intelligent child who truly can appreciate learning, Kirby Hall is paradise. Somehow this beautiful High School attracts genius professors who prefer the small classrooms filled with gifted children.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2015

Absolutely the best school for smart kids who love to learn. My fifth grader is loving all her classes, even history. She is excelling and looks forward to school. She is responsible and keeps track of her work and things to bring to school. I cannot ask for more from a ten year old. Thank you, Kirby Hall!!
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2015

Kirby Hall has a terrific high school. My daughter is a junior this year, and this is her second year at Kirby Hall. She is challenged in every class but never overwhelmed with homework. The teachers only give meaningful homework, and because of her study hall, she is able to get a lot of it done at school. This leaves time for her to join extracurriculars and sports. I should mention that prospective students shouldn’t be intimidated by the academic rigor of Kirby Hall. Although academics is what the school is known for, it’s not THAT hard. The teachers go out of their way to help the students meet their expectations. It’s a cooperative and supportive, not competitive, environment. At first, we were nervous some of the classes would be too hard for our daughter, but she has done really well. I think it's a great fit for conscientious students looking for a smaller, less stressful environment than you find in some of the public schools. The size of the high school is small and intimate, and she actually has more friends here than she did at the big public schools she used to attend. The parents and students are friendly and open to all newcomers, so it is easy to fit in no matter what your personality. This is hands-down, my favorite school.