To examine the idea of starting a school, Mrs. Rase talked with educators in private and public schools, professors in the UT Department of Education and with people in the Texas Education Agency.
Mr. H. Eugene Phillips was Director of the Private School Accreditation at Texas Education Agency. He discussed private schools with Mrs. Rase and added many of his own ideas and insights to the formation of the new school. When he retired from Texas Education Agency, he became a member of Kirby Hall School's Board of Directors.
Peter A. Schwartz, Headmaster of Fort Worth Country Day School, had worked with a group of parents to form the Fort Worth school. Mrs. Rase's parents were part of that group. Dr. Schwartz was generous with papers from his files as well as advice for the early effort. One memorable piece of advice was that we might make it "if we didn't feed, bus or football". We never intended to have football and all its diverting accompaniments. We had a bus for several years and found that Dr. Schwartz was right. We figured that the bus cost the school hundreds of dollars every time it left the garage. Its only driver, Wayne Stock, drove buses for the city of Austin and kept the bus in exquisite repair, necessary expenses in our judgment. Kenneth Grover is the restaurant owner that makes lunch viable. All other efforts were short-lived. Many parents appreciate not having to add lunch-making to their morning chores.
Mr. Verne D.J. Philips had served as an education lawyer in the military for many years. He began giving advice and wrote the legal papers needed six months before the school opened. He remained active with the school answering legal question through its early years.
Mrs Ellen Clayton Garwood had helped form St. John's School in Houston for her children. She and Mrs. Rase visited many potential sites and saw many buildings they did not want. Dr. Rase finally found Kirby Hall. Mrs. Garwood promised financial support and to pay for the first year deficit, which turned out to be $17,000. Mrs. Garwood visited English classes and talked about writing to the students. Classes went to performances of a Texas history play she wrote, after she came to school to explain her writing process She befriended the school in many ways.
Dr. Henry Otto of the UT Department of Education saw the small private school as a potentially excellent pilot for larger systems. It is easier to adjust to individual needs and explore special methods in a small less bureaucratic school. It is also easier to get only the best in faculty.