Univ of Houston Charter School-Tech

I disagree with the parent that said the school is a poor example of public education. The school has a wonderful approach as to how children shoulde be best educated, the problem lies in administation. The administrator is NOT knowledgeable about what the teachers should be teaching or even if some of the teachers are teaching.The second grade teacher is a wonderful example of a good teacher, and there's an assisistant that's equally as good. The other teachers have the potential of being good teachers with the right training. overall my experience at the school has been as good as one would expect from any other public school. There are some changes that need to happen without questions, but let's not throw the baby out with the bath water! Parents who appreciate this kind of approach to teaching should support the school and get somebody who can make decisions about the school to listen to them about their complaints about the administrator.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the parent who said that this school is a poor example of public education. The administrator is poor and likes to listen to herself talk. She ignores parents suggestions and just continues "business as usual." She should be replaced. Also, Math is not taught until the children are in 2nd grade, yet they expect them to take a Math test at the end of first grade. This school is a joke. Stay away!!
—Submitted by a parent

UH Charter is part of the University of Houston Main Campus and it is also surrounded by the Third Ward. Many students are there because their parents work for the University so despite its location, the school is very diverse. UH Charter consist of K-5th grade with one class for every grade and two teachers for every class. The school is relatively small and could really use an expansion. It looks cluttered and unorganized but somehow, the staff there make it work. The meals are catered because there is no kitchen on site. There are no computer labs, no art labs, and no traditional library. The older kids are given assigned laptops to learn on in the classrooms. The art and music classes are taught in the cafeteria seating area. Kids can check out books from a small selection of books located in the middle of the main room. There is a lack of communication at the school. Notices are usually posted on walls where parents don't normally look at when they're rushing to drop off their kids. With all the resources out there to communicate with parents, such as twitter, facebook, text, emails, the school rarely utilizes these.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't say enough about our experience with UH Charter School. One thing I absolutely LOVE about the lottery system is that it creates a classroom of very diverse kids... With at least one commonality that their parents are definitely focused on education to seek out enrollment at a charter school. So it's the best environment I can think of, really. All the quality of a private school education, but free. And exposure to all different kinds of kids, but even the lower SES kids come from homes with active parents where education is valued. It's been almost a magical combination in our case. I feel so lucky that my kids got in. The teachers, curriculum and social skill building are phenomenal at this school... Reading through other reviews, some people just don't realize where the true value lies here. Unfortunate.
—Submitted by a parent

This is school has helped my child greatly with self esteem and advancement. The is great teacher/parent involvement and makes everyone very excited to attend school. They have an excellent after school program that the college students interact with the kids as well so I think this is a great diverse environment. They have cooking class on Fridays and Spanish and many extra great activities that really involve the children. This is a free charter school. We are an innovative elementary school (kindergarten through fifth grade) focusing on the constructivist approach to education. We aim to promote reasoning, autonomy, and community throughout the child's day and life at UHCS. We have 6 multiage classes guided by lead and assistant teachers. I call this Houston's Best Kept secret in education!
—Submitted by a parent

Wow. These past few reviews must be biased! I am a parent of a former student at U of H Charter School. We recently relocated to another state with a much better educational system. UHCS prepared my daughter well for the transition. According to her current teacher, she is further advanced in her Math concepts than the average student in her classroom/grade, among other things. Dr. Black deserves credit for building, maintaining, and protecting that institution from mediocrity. One teacher had a contract not renewed during our time there and she was the one teacher who needed to leave. Although, she was popular amongst some parents, she was ineffective as a new teacher. Our daughter and other kids performed well below the standard under this teacher. Thankfully, Dr. Black handled the situation and arranged for additional academic support for the kids who were exposed to her. 4.5 STARS for UHCS!
—Submitted by a parent

UH Charter is a unique school. The children are learning to solve problems and ask questions NOT just memorize and regurgitate. I am thrilled that my children have the opportunity to learn in this way.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a great disservice to the public educational system. The school pursues orthodox version of constructivism refusing any enforcement of learning at all costs. From personal experience, the kids' knowledge and skills in basic subjects lag far behinds of what one would consider a decent elementary school education. The good teachers are forces out on a regular basis.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a very poor example of a facility intended for the education of children and should quickly be placed under a microscope by the University. In the five years that I had my child in this school, the school administrator changed 4 times and some of the best teachers left, two of them in the middle of the semester. Although they are equipped with many resources such as the student to computer ratio mentioned by another parent, it certainly doesn't make up for the huge gaps of knowledge my child had.... a shocking degree of missing basic concepts. This from a very involved and hands on parent. You need attend only one school event to observe how unorganized and what a lack of cohesiveness the school exhibits. The pluses were the student to teacher ratio and cultural diversity of the student body.
—Submitted by a parent

UH Charter is a great school! Dr. Black is a caring and great educator. She invested time and energy to make sure the students had the best possible education. UH Charter is a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the previous post. This is certainly one of Houston's best kept secrets. Two of my children have attended this school and I would recommend it to any parent serious about their child's education but not interested in paying private school fees for the same results. I am thankful that my spouse happened upon this oasis of learning and parental support in Houston. In the end, good parenting and a good school will produce an excellent student. U of H Charter School is a winner.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a parent of two students that attend the school. Since the school is fairly new, ten years ago, one should expect changes in administration. The school ranks high according the State Exams and being a very picky parent---I also give it high ranks. This is a school that encourages parent involvement and also expects administration to be just as involved as the parents. This is Houston's best kept secret.
—Submitted by a parent

We took our daughter out a few years ago because of the chaotic leadership and inconsistency in quality of their teaching staff. We were worried when high quality teachers would disappear. The turn over rate at this school was and still is high for such a small school. Parent involvement was always high and we thought that was wonderful. However, there were too many unpleasant principal/parent confrontations. This was the biggest let down for us. This school is supposed to follow a 'Constructivist' philosophy, it does not.
—Submitted by a parent

We left this school several years ago to seek a stronger, more traditional environment. The best thing about the school, was that our boys learned to be independent and are good decision makers.//
—Submitted by Lionel Jellins, a parent

The University of Houston Charter School is an outstanding elementary school. The principal has assembled a talented, dedicated staff that care about the needs of the individual student. The physical plant of the school is outstanding. The instructional resources are superior to the most expensive private schools in Houston. They have a student to computer ratio of about 1.5 to 1. An outstanding staff, facility, and instructional materials combined under outstanding leadership results in an outstanding elementary school.
—Submitted by a parent

This a very good school. It provides student's with the ability to think for themselves
—Submitted by a parent