John Sinnott Elementary School

While Sinnott's API score was a 9 last year, there's a new principal who reaches out to parents (Mr. Frascone) vs. last year's principal who was fairly apathetic, the office staff is seemingly overwhelmed at the start and end of school, but has plenty of time to chat it up when class is in session, taking their SWEET TIME to attend to parents coming into the office with questions/concerns/etc. They weren't even chatting about school related business, mind you. My child has been at Sinnott for almost three years now. For the most part, I think most of the teachers are great. I haven't had any problems with the teachers. A big downside that compounds traffic and irritation from obnoxious students and surrounds the younger ones at the elementary school w/ negative examples is the nearby Rancho Middle School. While this review is of Sinnott Elementary, the schools adjoin and are separated only by a driveway/parking lot. The students from Rancho go over to the elementary school after they get out of class and shout obscenities and partake in disrespectful behavior towards one another ON Sinnott School grounds and notifying the front office staff did nothing! We hope to move soon!
--Submitted by a parent

What a great school. Everyone, from teachers to principal to parents, are fully involved in taking the kids and school to the next level. My 2 kids go here and they really enjoy the diversity and teaching style.
--Submitted by a parent

This year my son is in Ms Shieu's fourth grade class and he loves it ! She is a really great teacher and makes learning fun for the kids.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending this school for the last 2 years. We are very happy with the quality of education here. The teachers are experienced, sincere, and highly professional. The student body is a diverse mix of all social, ethnic and economic groups.There are variety of other extra-curricular activities for students as well. The PTA is also very active and organize fun filled events throughout the year. Comparing my child to other children who attend expensive private schools (read Challenger, Stratford etc.), I really don't see much difference overall. We are very happy with this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school with great teachers. My kids are thriving here and I love the diversity.
--Submitted by a parent

My Daughter has been attending Sinnot for the last 2 years and I should say that I am very happy with the teaching and the extracarricular activities this school has to offer. This year she has Mrs. Adrianne Barber as her second grade teacher. She is such a wonderful teacher!! Her ability to connect with her students and her talent at teaching simple concepts, as well as more advanced topics, are both truly superior. She accomplishes these tasks with great initiative and with a very positive attitude. Talented and enthusiastic, she always finds new and creative ways to teach the most challenging material. At the same time she is very patient, encouraging and has a great sense of humor. My daughter has enjoyed each and every day this academic year , she looks forward to go to school which is such a surprise from a girl who used to look for reasonsnot to attend ... I can t recommend Mrs. Adrianne Barber enough..
--Submitted by a parent

Mrs. Cochrane is a great teacher. I'm glad that she's staying in 1st grade because I coudln't have asked for a better 1st grade teacher for my son when he was in 1st grade (2 years ago). After a bad year in kindergarten, we considered a private school nearby, but we thought we'd give this school another chance before we moved our son. That was the right decision. Mrs. Cochrane was a fantastic! She had the right combination of discipline with compassion and understanding, for an active 6 year old boy. She connected with him on what interested him personally. To this day, she is his favorite teacher. I couldn't have asked for a better 1st grade teacher for my son, and I hope my daughter will have her as her 1st grade teacher.
--Submitted by a parent

Ms Taft in 4th grade is the best,my dtr wants to be a teacher like her.
--Submitted by a parent

Mrs. Barber (2nd grade) is an excellent teacher. She is very creative and make fun environment for kids to learn naturally the best way of learning! I think kids in her class made great progress in both academically and socially, since her continual efforts to encourage children. In fact, Sinnott is a great school; they emphasize on learning but not spent too much time on improving testing scores (scores come naturally after good learning). I like Sinnott!
--Submitted by a parent

Our three kids have all gone to Sinnott. Most recently we have seen the most difficult of economic times hit our school system. But I can't say enough of the quality of the teachers dedicated to teaching and committed to do the best they can during this period to the extent that they shield the kids from the administrative issues. Very, very professional and knowledgeable teaching staff. Very safe environment for our kids.
--Submitted by a parent