Sinclair Elementary School

I absolutely agree with the last review. I too live in the neighborhood and my son has attended Sinclair since kindergarten and is now in the 4th grade. We are pleased with his progress and have compared his projects to other premier area schools. We have come to realize that these other schools look pretty on the outside and can fool you with the flash and circumstance. Sinclair may be 50 years old and not as pretty on the outside, but it is full of quality on the inside. Support your neighborhood school!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm very pleased with the new principal. I think the current leadership team is what this school has been searching for. It is high time that the surrounding residents buy into this neighborhood gem. This school sits on a large plot of land in a hot area. I would hate to see HISD with their financial woes look to sell and allow developers have their way with it. Great schools make great neighborhoods. I live in the neighborhood and was hesitant after hearing about the other schools that are close. I chose Sinclair and my daughter and I are very happy to be at Sinclair.
—Submitted by a parent

bullying seems to be acceptable through justification of and apology. this is unprofessional. Hopefully the principle will make the situation right
—Submitted by a parent

this coming year there will be a new principle and i sure do hope she can shape up inclair. THIS PAST YEAR WAS NOT GOOD. There was some teachers yelling and terrible terrible caferteria moniter. they would yell at children . please if your a parent keep an eye out, because i know its difficult to have to get up and move, but as long as there are parents working together then we can have a voice not only for our child but eery child in sinclair.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a very positive experience in the two years he has attending Sinclair. The principal is very approachable and supportive. The teachers have been in constant communications and his second grade teacher(Ms. Valerie) was always made time for his parents after school and it was obvious from the work we saw that he was growing throughtout the year. The drama department helped our shy child explore experience a more outgoing. We personality. We would recommend Sinclair to any parent. We are also teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

I can agree with all of the comments posted here. We had very high expectations from Sinclair and actually got the results the first year we were there. Every year after that just went downhill. The principal when we arrived in 2003 was pretty much non-existent and simply did not care. When she was replaced in Spring 2007, the new principal lacked the leadership ability to keep the staff and PTA volunteers in line. We moved our family out in Fall of 2007 and our children are now far behind the other students in writing and math! I am glad we got out of there when we did because without a total revamp, Sinclair is not the place for a good education.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's second year at Sinclair. She's now a first grader. We were lucky to get one of the good teachers this year and my daughter has thrived in her class. But homework is inconsistent and notes are not always sent home. As another parent noted, communication is lacking. The magnet draw of this school is communications (TV studio, Broadway, and newspaper), but that s mostly a joke. Extracurricular activities are few. Teacher quality, test scores, and everything else at this school is hit or miss. I'm not willing to sacrifice my daughter s education to its further whims. Thankfully she has been accepted at a top-flight school with a quality magnet program for next year.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year here an I had high hopes because it is a 'magnet' school. There is no communication.The teacher doesn't send home info on lesson plans, I figure it out by looking at the homework. My advice, don't be fooled by the magnet school label. We're trying to transfer asap!
—Submitted by a parent

The communication between teacher/school & parent seems to be lacking. Things are only halfway dealt with. Classes seem to move slowly, and quick students become bored. Sinclair does not adequately identify children for their GT program.
—Submitted by a parent

Tries to be a good school, but the bureaucracy of HISD prevents any chane to excell.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been pleased with Sinclair and my child's rate of learning has been impressive. So far her teachers give good attention and the curriculum is challenging. They do need to incorporate more physical activity into the curriculum through a more frequent P.E. program.
—Submitted by a parent

Sinclair, Wow what a difference 2 years can make! This school use to be fantastic. I felt like my child went to private school but within the last 2 years I have watched this school turn into any old other public school. We have been proud Sinclair parents for 4 years now since kinder. But I am afraid this will be our last year there. The leadership is non exsistant and we are lossing all of our great teachers. Not to mention we took in students from other schools when they closed and well with that we took in parents. And well part of what made Sinclair so great was the parent involvement and well now there is 0 to none with the exception of a small handful. Not to mention the fighting, and the test scores dropping. The sad part is the teachers leaving, we had some great teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

I like that sinclair teachers have many years of experience, and the diversity of the student body. I have been impressed with the caring attitude of the teachers, as well as the tutoring provided for struggling students. The principal is a true visionary, and my child has thrived at sinclair. a new wildlife habitat is in the works, and the kids take some really great field trips!
—Submitted by a parent

The principal is new this year, so opinion still out on that. Previous principal, Steve Siebenauler left to be principal at Waltrip High School, but while he was at Sinclair, it was great! Very good principal. Teachers and staff are always very helpful and respectful to parents. Lots of parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent