Searching for a private Middle School in Austin?
Kirby Hall launched our new middle school program in 2025 for students in 6th through 8th grades to offer the similar hands-on learning and tech-intentional programming that our younger classes are known for.
Our aim was to provide middle schoolers with the space to stretch and explore young adulthood while still retaining the wonder and curiosity of childhood in a safe and nurturing environment. (Research shows that children are more likely to succeed in learning where they feel a sense of belonging and support.)
As our older students work on strengthening their own creativity and individual critical thinking skills, they also spend time in cohorts learning to work collaboratively with each other and with those in our surrounding community.
Place-Based Learning at KHS
At KHS, we put a great emphasis on place-based learning in middle school – taking advantage of all that Austin and Central Texas have to offer in order to enhance our classroom activities. Students venture off-campus frequently (often via public transportation) to visit uniquely Austin spots like Mt. Bonnell, Barton Springs, BookPeople, the KUT/NPR radio station, the LBJ Presidential Library, and McKinney Roughs Nature Park, all while studying the historical, cultural, or scientific significance of each.
This coming spring, KHS middle schoolers will embark on a journey a bit farther away to Boston. They will take in the many historical sites that the city is known for in addition to visiting important spots dedicated to the advancement of scientific and STEM research, like the campus of MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and the New England Aquarium.
Regular Coursework at KHS
In addition to regular coursework in Language Arts & Literature, Math, Science, and History, middle school students also have the opportunity to earn high school Spanish credits (Spanish 1 & 2) and enroll in electives such as Rocketry, Creative Writing, 2D+3D Art, and Instrumental Music/Band.
In every subject, our day-to-day classroom discussions and projects revolve around important themes such as:
- Identity & Responsibility
- Diversity & Resilience
- Leadership & Service
If KHS Middle School, where our students become active and engaged learners and citizens, seems like it would be a good fit for your family, we invite you to visit us during a group or personal tour which can be scheduled here.
About Kirby Hall School
For 50 years, the mission of Kirby Hall School has been to offer students (PreK4 to 8th grade) a place to belong and strengthen their critical thinking skills and imagination while learning to lead with the values of kindness, humility and respect. We welcome families of all backgrounds, race, religion, and cultural heritage, as community is at the core of all that we do.
