Kirk Day School

12928 LADUE RD

Saint Louis, MO 63141

26 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-6
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 24, 2023

It's been four years since my family left this school, and we still suffer from what I can only describe as PTSD. There are many good Christian schools around - but not this one! Bullying, unfair treatment, incompetent leadership, misdiagnoses, and more. Run run run away.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2023

We have been at this school for 7 years now. Both our children started in preschool and we have fallen in love with the school. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming from the front office, teachers and parents. Our children have thrived not only in their education but also in their relationship with Christ. They are excited to go to school and everyday come home talking or singing about what they learned about God. The community of parents are so welcoming, fun and involved in helping support the school. We have loved every teacher we have had so far and they are all so patient, sweet and encouraging of the children. If I ever have any questions I know I can reach out to the staff and will get a quick response. The head of school is great with the kids, always open to listening to parents and wanting the best from the school. When you walk the halls of the school you hear happiness and laughter exuding from the classrooms but in a calm and studious way. I am thankful for the small class sizes and personal attention our children receive. I know they are thriving and this will just enhance their future. Their education is the perfect combination of traditional (learning cursive, math facts, presentation skills, etc.) combine with modern technology, typing, STEM all based on biblical learning and relating it all to what God’s word says. We have made life long friends not only for us parents but our children as well from this school. When it came down to us choosing a school, the most important factor was the community and people that will surround our children. We are beyond happy with our choice and it has exceeded our expectations!
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2023

We have been a KDS family for 7 years and we love our school and have watched our children thrive and grow academically and personally. We have had great relationships with the teachers, staff, and other families. I would recommend this school to Christian parents with early childhood and elementary aged kids.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2023

This school has been such a blessing to our family. I’m so thankful I can drop my kids off knowing they are safe, loved and getting a great education based on the word of God. The teachers are excellent and continue to pour into the students everyday with eagerness. Each teacher at KDS has taught my kids as individuals and have gotten to know them personally to best understand how they learn. Every time I walk through the doors, I’m met with kindness from all faculty and staff members. My kids have made sweet friends and love attending. The community at Kirk is welcoming and friendly as we have met some of our closets friends by being apart of the school. We are thankful for Kirk and her wouldn’t have our kids any where else in St. Louis.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2023

When we began the challenging process of choosing an educational path that best encouraged our kids to grow in healthy ways, we found the necessary support and partnership from the faculty and administration of Kirk Day School to make that important, and special, decision. This is the 9th year our family has been involved at KDS, a place where each of my children has received the compassion and dedication of teachers and leaders who truly care about them, helping them cultivate their unique needs and gifts. We live in a fallen world where no system, no institution, no community, is perfect. Just like any other kid in any other school, my kids would still have hard days at KDS, shed tears, worry about homework, etc. But on those hard days, they also had the love and understanding of teachers who built them up when they were struggling, with emails or phone calls or words of encouragement, communication with parents, taking extra time to understand more about their perspectives and fears and interests, and above all, reminding them that they belong to Jesus and that He loves them. Because even though life can sometimes be overwhelming to any kid, when they feel safe and loved, that is the ultimate catalyst in their educational journey. We love KDS!
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2023

Our family is so thankful for Kirk Day School. I have two children enrolled at KDS and have been pleased with the individual attention given to each student. The teachers are at the top of their craft and care deeply about the academic, spiritual, social and emotional well-being of each student. Teachers communicate on a regular basis with parents and send home weekly Friday folders and newsletters so we know what to expect. For us, being apart of a loving Christian community where our community supports one another is something we spent years looking for and we are so thankful we found this school.
Submitted by parent on January 04, 2023

The school has been so great for our family. The students are kind, teachers love Jesus and everyone is friendly. We are looking forward to our family enjoying Kirk Day School for years to come.
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2022

Kirk Day School is an incredibly special school. We moved from out of state one year ago and before doing so, I went to great lengths to research private Christian schools that were Christ-centered, academically challenging, and compassionate; both student body and staff alike. We have found all of that and more in Kirk Day School. We were immediately welcomed and seamlessly integrated. We saw my son quickly thriving after a big move and a school change. It is truly a group of both administrators and staff that love the Lord and pour into our children. Kirk Day School is focused on developing the whole student and that is just something that is invaluable, especially in today’s world. Kirk offers a community of fellow believers you can do life with. I’ve met many dear friends through the Parent groups and school sports. Kirk has not only blessed my son’s life, but ours as parents as well.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2022

We moved to Missouri in February and Kirk has been such a blessing to our lives. Our child has flourished and he is in the early childhood program some parents are writing negativereviews about. We love the way the school works with us in a positive way with both curriculum and behavior. Mr. Clement has been great, along with Jeannie Venard, Jennifer Rush, Ms Crooks, Ms Skiljan, Mrs. Dare, and Mrs. Moroni. We cannot imagine being in another school. The Thanksgiving program was wonderful! It's interesting that some have written negative reviews. Our experience has been the most positive I could imagine and we would highly recommend Kirk...yes, they expect your children to behave but we have never experienced anything but love from this school.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2022

I debated on posting a review, but after reading the two below and agreeing wholeheartedly with both, here it goes. The early childhood department is a total disaster. They look for any reason to "have a meeting" and try to make you feel like something is wrong with your child, for behavior such as "moving about during circle time, or not obeying on the very first try, or being overly silly in class. These are 3, 4 and 5 year old kids. They expect perfection from these very young children and watch for the ones who color outside of the lines, and then they don't advance them up into the upper grades. I have spoken to multiple families over the last few months who have had this exact same experience- which tells me it's by design. So very un-christ like and SO far from Jesus. My son was asked to not be a part of the Thanksgiving Program simply because he was being silly during practice. ISn't that the whole point of these productions? Not here. We had to keep him home that day- it broke my heart. But at this school, it's taken very seriously and we were called into the school for actual sit down meetings about it. It's such a joke. If you are looking for a true Christian school- DO NOT apply to this one.
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2022

Poor experience here- I can’t speak to the upper grades but like a similar review below, the early childhood department needs a major revamp. They also need to change their ways if they consider themselves to be a Christian school. They absolutely favor kids whose parents are wealthy, or are associated with the church. Mixed communication, extremely strict with this age group- to the point where they try to force a diagnosis. Head of school isn’t much involved, everything gets shuffled off to the “counselor”. Run far away from this school.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2022

Unfortunately, we had a very toxic experience with this school in the Early Childhood Department. The teachers are not equipped to deal with this age group, and the way they control the classroom is more like a 1st grade class rather than young children. Very strict in their approach, and punishments are bizarre. My son was made to run laps (he is 4) at recess because he got out of the single file line and wasn't behaving like the robots they need them to be. If the school tries to deny they made him run laps at 4 years old, I will post the email from the teacher herself stating that she made him do it. Look elsewhere for a real Christian school- this one just isn't it.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2021

Outstanding. The administration, faculty, and staff far exceed our expectations in academics, character development, extra curricular activities, etc. I cannot recommend this school enough
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2021

Was a great school. As referenced elsewhere, leadership has significantly deteriorated in recent years. As a result, faculty is a revolving door (guessing staff is miserable for the same reasons many parents are beginning to observe). Favor seems to be given to more affluent families (beware if in a shared custody situation as they WILL override a court ordered legal custody arrangement in a heartbeat to favor an affluent parent a judge has given less legal custody to- many parents report this). I absolutely no longer consider this a ‘Christian’ school by any means whereas once upon a time that was what I valued about this school and why it was chosen formy child. If image and playing ‘politics’ with the staff to get your child ahead are your thing, don’t let this review hold you back. If you are in search of a place that espouses Christian values, I wouldn’t even mess with this place.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2020

KDS has deteriorated since the former Head of School of 20+ years retired. There are very few good teachers left, unfortunately the majority of the teaching staff don't make an effort to develop relationships with individual students unless they come from a well-to-do family. It is true that the school favors kids whose parents are board members or a big donor. Case in point, when a class leads chapel the kids who have the biggest roles are the kids of these parents. This happens year after year and it's unfair to other kids. I believe the current Head of School lacks the ability and skills required of the position and does not give importance to disseminating accurate information. His recent statement "it is uncommon for coronavirus to be transmitted between children under the age of 15" in an effort to secure enrollment obviously is unverified information. Kamp Kanakuk confirmed that their K-2 camp (6-8yo) had 82 positive cases of COVID-19, how can that be more common. I expect my head of school to have full knowledge of what's going on in the world and to be sharing only accurate information. The only asset of this school is Jennifer Rush and it's a shame she's not the one heading the school.
Submitted by student on June 24, 2020

I went to Kirk for several years and hated it! My parents thought I would get a Christian education but my relationship with Christ only grew at Church and at home. What I learned at school was the principle was two faced and he acted completely different to us when the parents then were around. Also, the teachers made everyone recite Bible verses or copy pre written apologies or discipline letters to give our parents and impress them, but these were not from our hearts so nobody actually learned from them. The bullying was super intense! I would make up reasons to get out of going to school because it was so bad and the principal never seemed to care or at least do anything about it.
Submitted by other on June 24, 2020

Personally this school did a lot of good for me academically and spiritually! It challenged me in such a way that I was more than prepared for middle and high school. Also, I have had nothing but good experiences with the Head of School, who has always been kind and accepting to me. I think it speaks volumes he took the time to respond to an unfavorable review, and it’s not “all for show.” If you have a problem, he gave contacts for you to reach out to as well as evidence for his claims. Please, if you are considering this school, tour, talk to faculty and alumni. I’d be willing to bet they all make glowing remarks. Everyone in my class was far ahead of the academic curb once we graduated, and are still all friends to this day. It was Kirk that prepared us.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2020

We absolutely love Kirk Day School! We have 2 children that currently attend. We feel that they are not only getting an excellent education, they are loved and cared for very well by the teachers and staff. The school does an amazing job of maintaining high academic standards while integrating a Christian worldview and focusing on spiritual growth. I would highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2020

Unfortunately our experience with this school was awful and our kids suffered psychologically from many of the bad experiences and lack of good leadership, especially at the top, who were not skilled in properly dealing with children. It is funny that a “school leader” has posted to try and “make things right” regarding a bad review. That is so fake and all for show. The true attitude and mentality is that you either conform to their ways by agreeing with things as they see it or you can leave because you need them more than they need you and there are many other people who are looking to fill your spot. Not very Christian like if you ask me. There are so many better alternatives when it comes to faith based schools in St. Louis! At a minimum, unless they find new people to run the place I would definitely look elsewhere!
Submitted by principal on November 06, 2019

We are sorry to hear about your experience. As a partnership school, our goal is to build trust, respect, and cooperation through humility and prayer as we partner together with Christian families for the discipleship and discipline of our students. We’re known for providing an exceptional educational experience and we regret that we didn’t live up to your expectations. If you are open to discussing this further, please contact us at 314-434-4349. We’d greatly appreciate the opportunity to make things right.We don’t mean to be so lengthy, but we do want to respond to just a few points though:1.All curriculum is reviewed subject-by-subject for improvements on a 5-year cycle by a Curriculum Review Committee comprised of faculty, administrators and board members. At the close of each academic year, this committee provides a report of their findings ascertained from a study of student standardized test results, state and national standards, faculty surveys, recommended curriculums and even interviews with outside educational institutions. 2.On average, 98% of our 6th graders gain admission to their first choice secondary school and 95% of these will gain admission to Westminster Christian Academy. 3.Students use Google apps and utilize the school’s laptops as often as the classroom teachers and Technology Committee deem appropriate for meeting grade level curricular goals.4.Kirk Day School is accredited through not one but two accreditation institutions as a means of keeping standards, curriculum, and teaching pedagogy at the highest levels attainable. With each accreditation, the school undergoes a yearlong deep dive review providing evidence that our school has met or exceeded all standards required.5.Our school takes discipline, school safety and bullying very seriously. For information and insight on our approach to these issues, please refer to the KDS Podcast page (https://www.kirkdayschool.org/podcasts) and listen to the following episodes (Bullying, The Invisible Man, SPORT Student Discipline Initiative, Being a Peacemaker, and Being a Peacemaker Part II)If you have questions about Kirk Day School or would like to sit down and discuss any of these topics in depth, please feel free to schedule a meeting with Jennifer Rush, Assistant Head of School for Admissions and Advancement, at contact@kirkdayschool.org