Pin Oak Middle School

Founded in 2002, Pin Oak Middle School is an “application only” school, meaning that no students are zoned for it; every student must apply.  Pin Oak includes a Vanguard program for Gifted/Talented students and a foreign language magnet.  Pin Oak also has a house system where students are assigned a house and belong to it their three years at Pin Oak.  House C is reserved for the foreign language magnet students.

Pin Oak Middle School

4601 Glenmont, Bellaire, TX 77401                                                       Ms. Susan Monaghan, Principal

713-295-6500                                                                                               Ms. Tanja Negals, Magnet Coordinator

www.PinOak.us

Religious Affiliation

As a public school, Pin Oak has no religious affiliation.  According to Houston Independent School District’s policy, every school has a moment of silence each day during which students can pray silently to themselves if they so choose.  Also, absences because of religious holidays do not count toward the student’s total number of absences.  However, the student is still responsible for the makeup work.

Location and Facilities

Residing next to the 610 loop and US 59 in Bellaire, Pin Oak is surrounded by West University neighborhoods.  Its main, 174,500 square foot building rests on eighteen acres of land that once housed horses.  As a result, Pin Oak tries to include horses in much of its activities, such as making its mascot a charger.

Admissions

Pin Oak’s admissions process can be split into two categories: neighborhood vanguard program and magnet program.

For the neighborhood program, any student residing in the zoned areas for Jane Long, Johnston, or Pershing Middle Schools can apply.  Pin Oak then uses a lottery to determine acceptance.  In order to apply to Pin Oak, the parent needs to file for a Boundary Option Transfer with the school, which runs concurrently with the Magnet application process.

For the foreign language magnet program, any student within the boundaries of HISD may apply, including the students in the above mentioned zoned areas.  Parents must submit 1) an application 2) the student’s final report card from the previous year 3) the first cycle report card of the current year 4) standardized test results 5) proof of residency 6) immunization records 7) a permanent record/transcript.  Pin Oak uses students’ academic histories to determine acceptance into the magnet program.

All students admitted to Pin Oak may apply for the Vanguard program by filling out an application.

Academic Tracks and Curriculum

Pin Oak offers On-level, Pre-AP and G/T classes for the core subjects: foreign language, English, history, math, and science.  In addition to the core subjects, Pin Oak offers courses in drama, guitar, chorale, art, orchestra, photography, and life skills, to name a few.

Special Needs

If the student meets the admissions requirements for the HISD school, then the student with special needs will be accommodated.   If the parents already have documentation about the student’s special needs, the school will need a copy of that documentation.  After receiving the documentation, the school will set up an annual ARD meeting that the parents, the student, an administrator, a core subject teacher, a special education teacher or 504 representative, and an HISD advocate will attend to discuss the specific modifications necessary for the student and to create an individualized education plan (IEP) for the student.  Every teacher will receive a copy of the modifications for the student after the ARD meeting has determined them.

If the parents want to request modifications for their child, then the special education teacher will give the student’s teachers paperwork to document the student’s behavior and any modifications the teacher uses for the student.  After 6 weeks of documentation, the teachers will turn in the paperwork, and the special education teacher or 504 representative will call a meeting similar to an ARD meeting.  If the meeting determines that the student needs modifications, then the school will have documentation of the student’s special needs and will follow the same procedures as above.

Foreign Languages

Pin Oak offers foreign language class in Chinese, French, Italian, Latin, Hebrew, and Spanish.  Students in the magnet program complete one year of high school foreign language credit unless they opt for the native speaker’s tract where they can earn two years of high school foreign language credit.  Native Spanish speakers have the opportunity to earn four years of high school foreign language credit if they complete Native Speaker’s 1 and the AP Spanish Language courses.

Arts

Pin Oak’s fine arts program includes: band, orchestra, choir, dance, theater, and visual arts.  Pin Oak has received awards for its choir, and its orchestra performs charity shows around Houston. The choirs, including boys choir, sixth grade, intermediate, advanced, and show choir, perform throughout the year, including an end of year performance called Pop Concert. Dancers can audition for the Pegasus Dance Company, which competes in 2 competitions per year and performs throughout the school year. Theater classes include performance, production design, and advanced, which is only open to students by invitation.

Technology

Cell phones are not permitted at school, but students may bring E-readers, such as Kindles or Nooks.

Extracurricular Activities

Pin Oak offers more than 50 student clubs, including Young Ladies in Training, No Place For Hate, Arts and Crafts, Golf, Movie Club, Jewelry Club, and Student Council.  Students can participate in competitions for choir, dance, art and orchestra. Annual trips to Washington D.C. and Yellowstone are available to students.

Athletics

Pin Oak fields more than thirteen teams across eleven sports: swim team, soccer, baseball, softball, track, lacrosse, volleyball, football, cheer squad, cross country, and basketball.  Pin Oak’s athletic facilities include two baseball diamonds, a football field, two soccer fields, and three tennis courts.  Although it does not have a swimming pool, Pin Oak uses the pool at Johnston Middle School.

Parent Involvement

Pin Oak has a Parental Involvement program, which includes an annual meeting at the beginning of the school year for parents, among other items listed in the school’s Parent Involvement Policy. Parents can join the PTO to host events, volunteer, and fundraise. For parents to stay abreast with students and teachers, HISD offers an online portal for Pin Oak called Parent Student Connect.

Pin Oak Middle School Fast Facts

Overview
School Type	Public, Magnet
Religious Affiliation	None
Uniforms	Dress Code
Date Founded	2002
Grades Served	6th-8th
Enrollment	1153
8th Grade	362
7th Grade	397
6th Grade	394
Student to Teacher Ratio	17:1
Faculty with Advanced Degrees (#/%)	27/38%
Minorities in Student Body	68%
Curriculum
Academic Tracks Offered	On-level, Pre-AP, G/T
International Baccalaureate Courses	N/A
Languages Offered	Chinese, French, Italian, Latin, Hebrew, Spanish
Calendar (Semester / Trimester / Other)	Semester
Interscholastic Sports Programs	11
Graduating Seniors
National Merit Semi-Finalists (#/%)	N/A
Average SAT Scores (Class of 2012)	N/A
Mathematics	N/A
Critical Reading	N/A
Writing	N/A
% Students Admitted to 4 Year University	N/A
Public School Stats
Gifted and Talented Students	50%
Free & Reduced Lunch	35%
AYP (2006-2011)	Met AYP
TEA Accountability (2006-2007)	Recognized
TEA Accountability (2007-2013)	Exemplary

 

Excerpted from General Academic’s publication, “Houston Private & Select Public Schools: Survey, Analysis, and Research, 3rd Edition.”