Kirby Middle School

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Kirby Middle School
Active 1970s–2008
School type Public
District Birmingham City Schools
Grades 6-8
Colors green & white
Mascot Stallions
Location 1328 28th Street North, (map)
Birmingham

Clyde S. Kirby Middle School was a middle school in the Birmingham City Schools system located at 1328 28th Street North, adjoining Norwood Park in Birmingham's Norwood neighborhood. It was originally built in the 1970s and named after Clyde Kirby. The current building was constructed in 1985.

In 2008 the school was one of several locations chosen by Nintendo as the site for a celebratory launch of its "Kirby's Epic Yarn" game by filling the sky with floating soap-bubble depictions of the main character.

Under a school consolidation plan proposed by acting superintendent Barbara Allen and approved by the Board in 2008, Kirby Middle School closed in the Summer of 2009 with students transferring to Hudson K-8 School, Putnam Middle School and Norwood K-8 School.

In 2013, superintendent Craig Witherspoon proposed using the former Kirby School to consolidate Lewis Elementary School and Norwood Elementary School. A site investigation of the vacant building revealed significant problems in the building's sanitary sewer system in addition to damage from vandalism and theft to mechanical systems. State Superintendent Ed Richardson approved the proposal over the objection of the Birmingham Board of Education in a May 7 meeting.

In 2024 the Birmingham Department of Community Development solicited proposals for an adaptive re-use of the former school building or redevelopment of the site.

Principals

References

  • Underwood, Madison (April 23, 2013) "Significant problems found at former Kirby school, a possible consolidation site for Norwood and Lewis schools." The Birmingham News
  • Underwood, Madison (May 8, 2013) "Richardson overrides Birmingham school board, approves Norwood-Lewis, Jackson-Hemphill mergers in heated meeting" The Birmingham News