Research Kirby-Smith Middle School Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida

“We've been at K-S for 3 years. My daughter loves it because she is very science-oriented but I don't feel she is receiving an exceptional education v/s any other school. K-S has a very strict dress code that's enforced with military precision. The busing system is terrible so if you can, drive your child to and from. Expect to shell out a lot of money in field trips (avg. $100/mo.) if you want your child to participate. This year alone I have spent over $200 on field trips from August - December (Epcot, Busch Gardens 2x (yes twice), St. Augustine ghost tour). With holidays coming up I have to really had to scrape. I feel as though it's just the teachers' way of getting out of the classroom. On a few occasions during our 3 years my daughter has had to sit out and it really broke my heart.”

“I love it! It's awsome! It's the school I always wanted to go to!”

“This school is a very good school, the teachers are wonderful. And the involvement of the parents and the PTA are better than any other school i have been to. I am now in the 8th grade at Kirby. This is my last year. So i have been going here ever since the 6th grade.”

“I completed all three of my middle school years and i can't say enough great things about this school i n fact i don't want to leave!! All the teachers care and gifted students are not favored over standard we are all held to the same standards. Student Government has an actual say in what happens which gives students a say in their education enviroment. we are pushed and challenged and slacking is not tolerated. The classes move fast and you have to keep up. Teachers offer after care help and peer tutoring is available. I swam for two years and we had a coach who cares and was there for us. I sports clubs and academics we were expected to be our best. All the admin offices and guidance hve open door policies that give students somewhere to turn. Any student who attends this school will not be disappointed.”

“to me this a good school this year i will be going to the 8th grade and i am proud i am also in the njhs i wanted to say that there is always going to be fights and you cant handle that im glad that i came here and i love it shout out to greer.”

“Of course there is an occasional fight, but we have FAR fewer fights or serious incidents than the County average. As a teacher on the advanced and Gifted team I can tell you, your child will be challenged. Students will be held accountable for following directions and turning in work ON TIME. These are some of life's important lessons that need to be learned, sometimes the 'hard way'.”

“I would have to give the 2007-2008 school year the best year so far for my child. Mrs. Mills is the best and a blessing from above.”

“Its my 2nd year at kirby and so far its awesome there has been fights, but if u do your homework you shouldn't be in trouble at all. the teachers and school staff expecially the principal is awesome, you can always count on them for a question on something you don't know.I recomend this school to anyone.”

“This school has great teachers, interesting classes, and a wonderful historic feel to it. The architechture is very nice. Also, having the Challenger Learning Center there is a positive influence on the students.”

“i am a student here at Kirby-Smith Middle School & i can honestly say the 3 years i've been going to this school its not a great school. the reason why i say this is because of all the fighting between students, not enough disipline, & its also not a clean enviroment. but i can say that the FCAT scores are great.”

“My son is in the 6th grade advanced classes. He has always been a straight A student and had no disipline issues. But he really struggles at this school. You must be an incredibily organized student to attend this school. In many instances my child completed assignments but the over-all grade was dis-credited due to minor technicalities even though all major components and information about the project was complete. There seems to be a definate power struggles with teachers, students and parents. The assignments that the student complete is excellent and very challenging. Which I feel prepares them for a great future.”

“My gifted child thrives in this math and science school and the discipline is excellent. Only the long bus ride from the beach with HS kids keeps them from a perfect score in my book. The teachers are dedicated and the ESE staff in on the ball. Kamp Kirby orientation for the 6th grade and the separation for the 6th graders entering the school makes a difficult transition to middle school smoother than anywhere else.”

“My son is in his second year at Kirby-Smith, and I have been very impressed with the school during his time there. The principal's enthusiasm and leadership seem to be an inspiration to all her teachers and staff, and I found all my son's teachers to be dedicated and wanting to be the best that they can be. I volunteered regularly so I had an inside look at the school and I found it to have a positive atmosphere and never saw anything negative. Their electives are amazing - my son has taken Video Game Design, Art and Robotics, and been in the Computer and Guitar Clubs after school. I would not hesitate to recommend KSMS.”

“I am speaking only on behalf of the advanced classes of this school I never attended any standard classes. I can easily say this was the best school I've ever attended. It was one of the more nerdy schools Iv'e been to but that's a good thing nerds like to learn. the classes where great and most teacher followed the you can lead horse to water but you make them drink philosophy not saying there lazy or anything they'll try and help there students but they'll alway's be more into the kids they can see are activily trying.”

“I love the Teachers and the Students are so well behaved. you should let your children go to that wonderful school.”

“We are very pleased with the experience our daughter has had at Kirby. Middle school is the hardest time for many children but we are very pleased with everything at Kirby Smith. Our daughter started in the 7th grade when we we highly unsatisfied with the school she attended in 6th grade. She finishing 8th grade and has been accepted into the IB program at Paxon next year.”

“My daughter attends here in 6th gr. I wish I could say that I am happy here. The building is old, carpet terrible. Field trips are expensive.”

“Middle School-The stories we were told, most of them frightening, were all laid to reast once my son began 6th grade at KSMS. The 6th grade team of teachers were awesome! They all used schoolnotes as a way of keeping the communication lines open. My son learned everything plus more that a 6th grader should be learning. He's now back for 7th grade and everything he learned in 6th is coming together nicely. Doing very well in 7th. We love the school overall. The teachers and staff all step out into the hallway between classes, and I believe their presence helps to keep students orderly. Like all middle schools, the students have their disagreements, but the discipline policy is enforeced appropriately. I highly recommend this school. Parent involvement is as good as any other middle school. The principal is a great leader.”

“Super hi-tech electives! Advanced and gifted teachers are really good.”

“there is no doubt that middle school is probably THE most difficult time of a child's life. Having experienced 2 different middles schools - 1 inner city magnet, 1 at the beach, with 3 children has been eye opening. The years my son went to KSmith as a gifted student were bad years for him scholastically. The teachers and students were a FAR cry from what he was used to, and I made several trips down there. Teachers that threw lipsticks and erasers at the students - 'to get their attention', others called them names, others locked themselves in their 'rooms' and let the kids 'teach' themselves, students that had no discipline, a militaristic principal that focused on appearance, not performance... I was not impressed. When my son went on to Paxon magnet, it didn't get any better. I'm so sick of Duval county Public Schools - I'm homeschooling now.”

“I thought we were blessed when my son was accepted into the Magnet Program at Kirby-Smith. Much to our surprise, it was no different than any other of the below average middle schools in Duval County. There is a very rough crowd there and my son was harrassed constantly. The education there is poor because the teachers are too busy trying to control the kids, which proves useless, instead of teaching. I did not witness a level of concern for the safety and well being of the kids. I did not feel it was a good environment for any child to be in, so I removed my son and home schooled him the remainder of the year.”