Kirby School

425 Encinal Street

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

13 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 25, 2025

This is a very expensive school with an incredibly high teacher turnover rate and a very substandard math program. The school has gotten progressively worse under the current leadership. If you are looking for a STEM school, this is not it. They do not have subject matter experts teaching math or computer science, although science has a few newcomers teaching, and they do have a couple of notable math teachers. If you are looking for a school emphasizing arts, this is not it. They have cut their art offerings: book arts used to be a class and I'm not sure if they still offer darkroom photography. Talented and enthusiastic, supportive teachers have left their choir and drama programs. If you are looking for a school with competitive sports, this is not it. From our family's experience, their sports team uniforms are mismatched and tattered.If you are looking for a school that supports students' mental health and emotional well-being, their last school counselor has also left.History, English, and Latin programs are excellent, however. In short, I do not think this school is a great value for the tuition price tag. I also do not think we are alone in our opinion; we have seem many students leave for other schools as well.
Submitted by parent on November 25, 2024

My daughter graduated almost 20 years ago, and this school was her happy place during her junior high and high school years. She learned to write well, advocate for herself and grow great self-confidence. She developed into an independent self assured kind adult.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2024

After 7 years at Kirby, our teen has graduated and looking forward to what turned out to be a sad, demoralizing high school experience. The longer we stayed at Kirby, the harder integrating in an increasingly exclusive social scene. By the end of senior year, our kid had completely slipped through the cracks as far as an indifferent administration was concerned. Our family limped towards graduation day and won't be looking back at this school with fond memories. The small class sizes are conducive to learning, but not for forming friendships for the neurodiverse child. But the writing is on the wall for Kirby School: every year, enrollment shrinks, and more teachers/administrators leave. I predict within a year or two, the school will close down.
Submitted by other on November 29, 2023

This is our daughter's second year at Kirby and we couldn't be more thrilled as she is absolutely thriving, making friends, trying new things like sports and theater and really building confidence. She is a different kid and we love the teachers and the staff and give them credit for this change. Thanks to Kirby we have a kid truly thriving.
Submitted by other on November 26, 2023

My child started at Kirby in 6th grade, and really loves it there. He is excited about learning, playing sports (some he played already, some new), being part of the music program, and enjoying friends he’s made there. The teachers are inspiring while still requiring them to participate and study/learn how to study. The college counseling is great too.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2023

My son started at Kirby from the very beginning, in 6th grade, and really loves it there. He has a nice group of friends that are kind and supportive, he is being challenged in the classroom (a problem in elementary school!), and he likes participating in various sports and music groups. I feel like the school is bringing out the best in him in many ways, and am so thankful for that! I also really appreciate how responsive the teachers and administration are to my concerns.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2022

Smaller classrooms, and attentive teaching and administrative staff have transformed my non-participatory, unmotivated kid into a fully engaged child. As with any school it's largely about fit - this was right choice for our son.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2021

Our son has attended Kirby since his freshman year in HS, and we have been pleased with every interaction with the school we've had in those 2.5 years. He was looking at 5 or 6 different high schools, and chose Kirby because of their emphasis on academics and small class sizes. Our son is a math kid and he's found his happy place at Kirby! He's looking forward to taking Multivariable Calculus and other challenging courses. Writing has been a struggle for him, but at Kirby his teachers have helped him so much that he felt comfortable taking AP Lit this year, and he is really enjoying it and doing well! The teachers are highly trained and have the ability to respond to changes in the world and in students' interests to develop new units and courses. The teachers and admin really do put the students first in everything they do. I knew Kirby was a special place from how they dealt with COVID. The HOS Christy Hutton has a science background, so it's no surprise the school embraced the science and developed a pro-active plan from the early beginnings of COVID. I felt the Kirby community was way ahead of the game in communication and preventative measures as compared to other schools in the area. Lastly, you can feel the caring and kindness that emanates from the staff and that is felt by the kids, which makes bullying almost non-existent. If you want your kid to feel loved and cared for, and get a great education and springboard to their next steps in life, Kirby is the place for them.
Submitted by other on March 22, 2020

This school prepares you for the real world. I got to take classes that challenged me and pushed me to be a successful person. They created classes in accordance with student interest. Every school is not perfect. However, as a student, I wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else for high school and would encourage anyone that is looking for a school that will let their kid blossom individually to go to Kirby. They also have a good financial aid program. Please read my review below about how they handle students with disabilities.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2020

Horrible experience. Not a place for neuro diverse kids at all. We left and never once heard from the school or Christy Hutton again, they took our money and wiped their hands clean of our kid with diagnosed disabilities. Sad but true.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2015

Kirby has a high school math program that is truly second to none in the SF Bay area. Where else can you take linear algebra, differential equation, multivariable calculus from a great teacher - and one who taught the same classes in the UC System. And UC naturally accepts them as transfer courses. A math-oriented student will have completed most UC campus's lower division math upon graduation, and can go straight to the junior level of a math major as a freshman. They have well-loved physics instructors (general, honors, and AP) as well. It's a very supportive student body - people are welcomed for who they are. Their choir wins awards all the time. Their English teachers teach truly college prep courses. It's a great school with small classes. Look no further!
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2015

I'm surprised by the poster from Aug 2012. My children have had excellent instruction from some phenomenal teachers at Kirby. Indeed, I'd say the level of instruction at Kirby is one of I ts greatest strengths, along with the evident mutual respect among students, teachers, and staff. Perhaps there have be some changes since the last poster posted.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2012

Sorry, but I can't join the cheering section. A very weak administration, centered around a principal whose power is disproportionate to his ability, has led to an exodus of the best teachers. If you care enough about education to spend your money on tuition, choose a school that will deliver.