About

History of The Great Kirk Elementary School

The Great Kirk Elementary School is located at 2000 E. Belgravia Avenue, in Fresno, California. Kirk Elementary School is named for T. J. Kirk, a pioneer educator in Fresno before the turn of the century and even before incorporation of the City of Fresno. In 1879 he was a teaching principal of the old White School, a two story frame structure, which long stood on the site of the present Fresno Memorial Auditorium on the north side of Fresno Street between "N" and "O" Streets. Two other teachers worked with him. The official name of the school was Central School and was changed later to the Hawthorne School, the Luther Burbank School and later the Snyder Continuation School. In the 1920's the Hawthorne School was also the city school's administration building.

Mr. Kirk had been a teacher in Illinois before moving to Fresno. Upon first arriving in Fresno he established a shoe business but left it to return to teaching when offered his first local school position. In 1890 Kirk sought the office of Superintendent of the Fresno County Schools and won the election. In 1899 he was elected California State Superintendent of Public Instruction and was re-elected to that office and served two terms or a total of eight years in that office. He retired in 1907. Kirk School was annexed to Fresno Unified School District in 1908 and is located at 2000 East Belgravia. Prior to that time it was a Fresno County School, being one of the earliest public schools established in Fresno County. Several different buildings have been built on the site.

 

 

 

(The information above was duplicated and extracted from Fresno Unified website about Kirk Elementary School).

Even with the many updates and improvements made to our school site since annexation into Fresno Unified in 1908, Kirk Elementary continues to stand as a beacon of pride and hope for the southwest Fresno community. For generations, Kirk has been more than just a school—it has been a place where students, families, and staff come together to learn, grow, and thrive.

Kirk serves approximately 400–500 students each school year, offering a close-knit learning environment where every child is known and valued. Our student body is wonderfully diverse, representing the rich blend of cultures, traditions, and languages that make the Central Valley such a vibrant place to live. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths, as it fosters inclusivity, respect, and a deeper appreciation for one another.

At Kirk, we are committed to creating a welcoming, supportive, and academically strong learning environment. Students have access to rigorous instruction, enrichment opportunities, and programs that nurture both academic achievement and social-emotional growth. Our dedicated staff takes pride in building strong relationships with families and ensuring that every student has the tools they need to succeed not only in school, but in life.

Kirk truly embodies the spirit of community, culture, and excellence.

At Kirk Elementary, we take pride in not only teaching academics but also guiding our students to develop strong character and leadership skills. We teach our students the L.I.O.N.S. Guidelines for Success:

• L – Leaders in the Making: Every student has the potential to be a leader. We encourage students to make positive choices, act as role models, and develop the skills to guide and inspire others.
• I – Independent and Critical Thinkers: Students are encouraged to think for themselves, ask questions, solve problems, and analyze information carefully. Independence and critical thinking prepare them to make wise decisions and contribute meaningfully to their community.
• O – Outstanding Character: Students are expected to demonstrate honesty, kindness, responsibility, and fairness in all they do. Outstanding character builds trust and respect, both in school and beyond.
• N – Never Give Up: Show perseverance and resilience. Challenges are opportunities to grow, and success comes from continuing to try, even when it’s difficult.
• S – Serve Our Community: Students learn the value of giving back, helping others, and contributing to the greater good. By serving our community, they develop empathy, responsibility, and a lifelong commitment to making a difference.

These Guidelines for Success are woven into everything we do at Kirk. They help students understand that success is not just about academics, but also about character, perseverance, and respect for others. By living out the L.I.O.N.S. values each day, our students learn to lead with confidence and compassion—both inside and outside the classroom.

Our Vision and Mission

Vision

The Great Kirk Elementary School empowers and inspires our diverse population of students to develop academic and social emotional skills necessary to reach their full potential to become responsible, emotionally intelligent problem solvers who contribute positively to the global community. 

Mission

The Great Kirk Elementary School community commits to building a culture where all students, staff, families, and community can connect, collaborate, and educate in a safe, nurturing, and structured environment by:

• Maintaining policies, procedures, and structures to promote a safe environment
• Building relationships with students, families, and staff where all cultures are valued and appreciated
• Embracing our students' unique talents and providing opportunities for meaningful and engaging instruction based on student interests and needs
• Participating in open, honest, respectful communication to keep families informed with the goal to ensure student success
• Providing school-wide instruction and targeted social and emotional supports to build students' self-awareness, social awareness, and self-management skills
• Designing high level instruction and collaborative professional learning based on data that is reflective, responsive, and targeted towards our students' diverse needs