Kirk Elementary School

12421 Tanner Road

School District

Cypress-Fairbanks Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 11, 2022

Extremely amazing school. Everything about it. If you’re thinking about working here or sending your child here, please do.Best grade: 5th Grade best age range to work: 17-20
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2020

We love Kirk and all the staff!
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2018

My daughter is in the blended learning program and she's really flourished with it, all she wants to do is read books. The teachers are wonderful, so invested in their students, everyone there really seems on the same page.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2016

my children were moved to this school. the only children taking advantage of everything, are the children whose parents are in PTO. PTO runs the school. these people think they own the school and feel discrimination from staff and pto members. i feel that they have separated students for their own benefit.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2016

The principal, assistant principal and Ms.Beez could do better with having an open mind about certain situations and fairness with students.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2015

This school's educational system is a joke. The principal is nothing short of terrible! I'm pulling my child and leaving for private school next semester. I hate that a bad apple can ruin it for t the bunch. You have some pretty good teachers that care about the students but the leadership hinders a lot for excelling. Stay far away from Kirk if you can!
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2015

My daughter has spent the past two years in Grades 1 and 2 at Kirk Elementary. Our experience has generally been excellent, and her reading, math and knowledge and interest in science have progressed dramatically during that time, though I agree with a previous poster that homework could be more challenging and varied, especially in 2nd grade, and that the school teaches to the average student. I am sure this is inevitable in a public school, which is why a Gifted and Talented program is available to assist budding scholars. The interior environment, including classrooms, library, corridors and lunch hall are modern, light and spacious, and discipline appears to be very well managed. The exterior dropoff and pickup is also well managed, but the space available for car pool leaves something to be desired, with some parents ignoring guidelines, by taking far too long to pick up or drop off their kids, or taking needless risks by parking on, or turning left onto busy Tanner Road. I guess this is a problem common to many schools where lane space is restricted. The open plan classrooms were of some concern to me when I first toured the school, thinking that extraneous noise might be a major distraction, and security an issue, however I now think the light, airy and inclusive atmosphere they promote is generally a good thing at this education level. Our daughter's teachers have all been very nice, and she was quite tearful when she heard one of them would be leaving mid-term for another appointment. One concern is the seemingly poor administration of the absentee system, considering the potentially draconian consequences of excessive absenteeism in this state. Despite providing sick notes to the school, on occasion these are not recorded accurately in the system. A recent lengthy trip overseas during term time to extend our family's immigration status, resulted in a warning about potential court action, despite having delivered notice to the office weeks beforehand, explaining that it was not an option for us, and that immigration law trumps education law any day of the week. The error was eventually rectified, though the attendance officer proved difficult to contact, and an unwelcome letter could have been avoided by efficiency and timely recording of planned absences.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2013

I am so glad my daughter goes to Kirk! She recently completed Kindergarten, and had an incredible year. Her teacher continuously challenged her, and she was reading chapter books and working on 2nd grade sight words by the end of the year. Her teacher also sent home advanced math homework, once again challenging my bright student. She quickly made friends who live in our neighborhood and those surrounding Kirk - she did not know many girls her age from the area previously. It is great to now have play dates with friends nearby! I have also been pleased with the Kirk PTO and staff. The PTO organizes social events as well as fundraisers - it seems there is always something going on. The PTO was able to buy new technology for EVERY classroom last year, and also worked with the MUDs to purchase fabulous new playground equipment (a very large structure), among other things. The recent focus on Balanced Literacy really helped to move the needle for test scores last year. The principal intends to build on that and other best practices for this year and the years to come. I am confident that my child is getting an excellent education at Kirk Elementary!
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2013

Kirk Elementary is a wonderful school that not only offers dedicated teachers and staff, but also a truly diverse, real world experience for its students. The student and staff population reflect the diversity that makes Houston such a unique, metropolitan city. This is my family's 5th year to have a child attending the school. So far, my kids have had excellent teachers that are well trained in state of the art literacy programs and current science and math techniques. I am often surprised by the facts and information stored in my kiddoes' minds that they have learned from their classroom experiences. The Gifted and Talented program has given my kids the chance to delve deeper into topics and explore their creativity. They've had fantastic teachers to guide them along the path. The only thing I would add as a draw back is that I sometimes thing the homework could be a bit more challenging, but it is my understanding that it is set by the district. However, I have found the teachers are willing to offer guidance for additional work and activities to help supplement student learning.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2013

I used to like this school a lot until I found out what kind of principal Mr Olgivie really was. my son attended Kirk since pre k to first grade.I loved his pre k teachers but his k and first grade teachers were horrible. they really didn't care if a child learns or not and being an involved parent this bothers me. I was very active in the PTO at the school. just alone with a read a thon over 14 thousand was raised and many of these are held during the yr, which I didn't mind at first thinking I would see the results of the money raised. WRONG! after all the money raised over three years, they finally put in a little slide, that's it. No upgrades made to the school, no field trips for the kids. when I asked why there were no field trips for the kids, the principal replied that the kids could not afford it, which shocked me because most of the kids that attend Kirk are wealthy and the school raises enough money every yr to sponsor a child if needed. well for my son's second grade yr he is attending Lamkin. this school recently upgraded computers for the students and offer many active for them.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

This is an amazing school. It's has gotten a bad rep in the past due to a select few students but I think that it has been changed. i have a kindergartner and first grader and I am a deeply involved parent. The teachers are great and Kirk was one of the few school that excelled on it's testing this year. It is a huge accomplishment for this school because of the testing in the past. Both of my children were lucky enough to have Mrs. Hankins as there first teacher and she is absolutely amazing. By the time my daughter exited kinder, she was reading on a 3rd grade level! The student-teacher ratio is real low which lets teachers give more individual attention. The PTO is awesome. This school is all a round a great school.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2013

I am studying the background of the school..i am sure this will be a good school
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2011

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 parent on April 15, 2010

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.