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Pin Oak Middle School in Houston, Texas

Pin Oak Middle School Detail

(713) 295-6500
4601 Glenmont
Bellaire, TX 77401
Levels: 6-8
District: Houston Independent School District


Pin Oak Middle School Census Data

Census InfoValueYear
White, non-Hispanic:21.6% (2008)
Black, non-Hispanic:24.9% (2008)
Hispanic:46.9% (2008)
American Indian/Alaskan Native:0.1% (2008)
Asian/Pacific Islander:6.5% (2008)
Student Teacher Ratio:17.5% (2008)

Pin Oak Middle School Ratings Summary

Average Quality Rating4
Average Principals Rating4
Average Teachers Rating4
Average Activities Rating4
Average Parents Rating4
Average Safety Rating4

Pin Oak Middle School Reviews

Great Principal and my daughter just loves going to school there.
This review was posted by a parent.

Wonderful teachers and wonderful staff. I am very happy with Pin Oak MS. They are #1
This review was posted by a parent.

This is a model school. I am proud that my kids go to this amazing school.
This review was posted by a parent.

Great staff who care about all the students!
This review was posted by a parent.

I love the teachers, the administration, the way the kids get involved and how happy they are to go to school. I love that the kids are very inclusive and that the kids learn through projects and not just through book learning.
This review was posted by a parent.

The great staff, the great facility, and the culture of success!!!
This review was posted by a parent.

This school should be a model for how other schools are run. The principal and staff are motivated and understand this age group. It is a great place to be.
This review was posted by a parent.

It is competitive academically, yet the kids are motivated in a very positive way. It has a small school feeling to it. The staff is very involved and personable.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak has an outstanding group of teachers, and a diverse motivated student population. All work together striving towards a common goal of improvement and excellence through learning.
This review was posted by a parent.

It is simply the best! Great teachers and the will do atmosphere.
This review was posted by a parent.

Great leadership, great students
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak is a wonderful school with so much to offer it's students. Pin Oak has won many awards for it's achievements. Every child is challenged to their best as a student and as a person.
This review was posted by a parent.

I love Pin Oak because in this school they teach my daughter a lot of different things.They teach her a lot of things I didn't expected to teach her in 6th grade.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak is the best School out there. I have no doubts. I send my daughter every morning knowing she is going to be safe, nurtured, and she is going to get the best education.
This review was posted by a parent.

This school is amazing! The teachers are hands-on, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile!
This review was posted by a parent.

It's awesome and Mr. McDonough, the principal, is terrific. He truly appreciates his teachers and staff, and gives so much to the students.
This review was posted by a parent.

This is the very first time my children have ever liked school. They look forward to going each day and they tell me the teachers are great. Their grades are good and they are making friends. What more could you ask for?
This review was posted by a parent.

Good Academics,highly experienced teachers, safe, good electives and every child is given an opportunity to come up.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak truly cares about every child, and helps all our students be their best. It goes above and beyond to create an environment that is safe, loving, and provides both great challenges and caring support so that each student can explore who they are and develop into respectful, caring, thoughtful, and educated individuals. We love Pin Oak!!!!
This review was posted by a parent.

I have known the Principal for many years and have watched him transform this school into one of the country's best. His committment to the educational experience of his students is unparalleled.
This review was posted by a parent.

The faculty shows great support for the students.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak M S has an environment where you can learn, live and laugh, all without feeling stressed. When your child is rushing you in the morning to get to school, and enjoys staying late for after school activities, this is a true sign that something wonderful is happening in the life of a student. The support system is the 'Best' I have ever seen. As a parent, knowing that safety, education, and the whole child is the main focus, I'm sure even the President's children would love it here!
This review was posted by a parent.

This is the most supportive school. It has very high expectations and standards. It is a wonderful school that focuses on the child's entire well-being. I have a child with speacial needs and have been so delighted with their willingness to support and know my child.
This review was posted by a parent.

They love and care about our kids!
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak has an incredible foreign language magnet program that, in 6th grade, introduces the students to six different languages and cultures. The teachers are great and, amazingly, seem to understand boys. Or, at least they understand my boy, for which I am incredibly grateful.
This review was posted by a parent.

Great and caring administration. They work the children hard but are very effective in helping them learn.
This review was posted by a parent.

The principal, teachers and staff make this school wonderful beyond compare! Pin Oak shapes student's into scholars and prepares them for life long learning!
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak has a child-centered feel, where the special issues of early adolescence are acknowledged and addressed. The foreign language magnet adds even more value.
This review was posted by a parent.

Great school, great teachers, great principal!
This review was posted by a parent.

It is getting better every year, thanks to a wonderful principal, amazing students and teachers and a great PTO!
This review was posted by a parent.

The teachers are very responsive and helpful. there is a great atmospher and the kids enjoy learning.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak received the National Blue Ribbon Award in 2008 and has been rated Exemplary by the Texas Eduacation Agency for the past two years! It is a wonderful place for our children to learn and the school provides so many ways to engage the students outside the classroom. The principal is fabulous and the entire staff are really devoted to making every student successful!
This review was posted by a parent.

The administrators and faculty at Pin Oak Middle School have demonstrated in the month since school started that they care about each individual student, and that they want to help each student succeed.
This review was posted by a parent.

I love the way Pin Oak fosters student involvement on so many levels. There are so many things for people to get involved in.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak is great because of the Teachers, Staff and Principal McDonough, they have impressed me with there concern for our children and what they learn. Pin Oaks is the best!!!!
This review was posted by a parent.

My daughter is a brand new 6th grader, and Pin Oak has made the transition so easy. She loves going to school, and is excited about learning. The teachers and administration are enthusiastic about teaching and continuing to make the school better.
This review was posted by a parent.

I love Pin Oak Middle School because our students and teachers come from all over the world to be here, and we care about our education.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak Middle School is an excellent school that encourages student growth.
This review was posted by a parent.

Great administration and teaching staff!!!
This review was posted by a parent.

great atmosphere, great teachers and an amazing and well run PTO- an organization that does great things for the teacher and staff- the prinicpal is a man with great foresight for the school
This review was posted by a parent.

It is a very nuturing environment. The teachers and administrators have a laser focus on the kids and encourage them to do their best. It is a very supportive environoment and kids are encouraged to come up with new ideas for clubs and other activities. It is a culture of empowerment and success is expected. We love Pin Oak.
This review was posted by a parent.

Faculty and staff really cares about our students.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak is very well organized and structured.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak has amazing teachers and a super principal. It is ethnically diverse yet there seem to be no racial issues. It is truly an amazing place.
This review was posted by a parent.

Exemplary, Blue Ribbon, No Place for Hate, top students, outstanding leaders, caring faculty, recognition for students, active PTO and model Middle School. Pin Oak has it all.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak's top notch teachers, staff and faculty bring out the very best in the students. It's a truly remarkable school.
This review was posted by a parent.

My grandson had a wonderful experience at Pin Oak and graduated this past May and my granddaughter started there this fall.
This review was posted by a other.

What's great about Pin Oak? The Principal, the Teachers, the Staff, the Building, and most importantly, the Kids! The Principal, Teachers and Staff are energetic and passionate; the Building design provides an electric and eclectic environment; and the Kids wholeheartedly embrace this energy as a result, these Kids want to be at school.
This review was posted by a parent.

I love the school's focus on the needs of the whole student, including a place for academics, athletics, clubs (like paintball, scrabble, computer gaming, speech & debate), and friendship. I am also appreciative of the intolerance the school has for bullying. In addition, the school has a school store which is open every morning Monday through Friday from 8 to 8:30 a.m. where both students and parents can get many items, ranging from school shirts to posterboard for school projects. Profits from the school are used to buy wish list items for the school and its teachers. I wish this school could be replicated in every Texas city.
This review was posted by a parent.

Our daughter loves going to school every day! And she gets to take Latin, violin, cello and play volleyball! So many opportunities!
This review was posted by a parent.

Inspirational, motivates each indiviual student
This review was posted by a parent.

Why do you love Pin Oak Middle School?
This review was posted by a parent.

I love Pin Oak Middle School. The School is very well organized. Teachers are caring and helpful. It really made my son's middle school transition easier.
This review was posted by a parent.

The teachers really care about the students & they challenge them to be the best they can be in a supportive environment. Parent/Teacher communication is really great!
This review was posted by a parent.

My son loves the school. There is so much opportunity for him to expand his horizon by taking a variety of challenging courses and sports.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak is awesome:)!!! im sad to say this year was my last year and im moving on.. but to anybody that is looking for a middle school to send somebody send them to pin oak and put them in C-House... and join the 1st place winning cheerleading team. The 2008-2009 cheer team in which i was on made history!!... and also our 2008-2009 football,basketball,baseball, and many other sports went undefeated this year!! and we broke TAKS records and made the school a blue ribbon school Class of 2009 did it real big...:) but yea Pin Oak is Awesome!!
This review was posted by a student.

this is a great school has great teachers and great students.
This review was posted by a other.

If you are looking at middle school choices and live in the Pershing Zone, you definately should stop in to see what Pin Oak Middle School has to offer students. Located in the City of Bellaire, Pin Oak is well located for families in Bellaire, West University, and Meyerland. The Principal is one of the best in the district and has a great understanding of this age group. Other staff share his high standards and work hard to provide a wonderful middle school experience. The recent achievement of being named a TEA Exemplary School demonstrates the high academic standards.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin Oak is a great school. I have two children currently attending Pin Oak and I have been very pleased with the school. They are taking all AP courses and have been challenged by the curriculum. The work load can be a little heavy at times. The teaching staff is very good. Teachers typically respond to emails from parents the same day or within 24 hours. Each house has their own principal and I have been very happy with the house A principal (Albert Fernandez). Pin Oak, unlike many other area schools, does not have an attendance zone. Pin Oak is an 'application only' school and has the luxury of deciding who they want to accept. Pin Oak is 1 of only 5 HISD middle schools to achieve exemplary status in 2008. Pin Oak is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a challenging academic environment.
This review was posted by a parent.

I am a parent from house c and it is a very good house to be in and I disagree sooooooo much with whoever posted that comment on april 18, 2007, my daughter is an honor roll student and has never seem to have a problem getting along with other students. The discipline isn't random and the principals do know what they are doing and sure know how and why to discipline these children. The students in house c are very bright and know how to behave themselves as mature young adults. I AM VERY GLAD MY CHILD'S IN HOUSE C AND I DONT REGRET PUTTING MY CHILD IN THIS SCHOOL AT ALL.
This review was posted by a parent.

Pin oak is a great school. Even though my grades dropped dramatically,I brought them back up.The Principal is very active and always has new ideas!Do not listen to all comments that we have assigned seats at lunch because we don't.I truly reccommend this school to my peers.
This review was posted by a student.

Pin Oak is a great school! The principal is excellent and the kids love him. The teachers in house A are very good and really care about the kids. The environment is happy and friendly. There are lots of opportunities at this school that go beyond academics. The PTO is very active and the parents are involved. In the 3 years my child has been here, the school's test scores have risen each year. My child's Stanford test scores are very good which equates to a good education.
This review was posted by a parent.

My child 'graduated' from Pin Oak in 2007. Based on our three years at the school, we view Pin Oak as a good -- not great -- public middle school. The principal is truly well intentioned and active, and there are a few good -- and great -- teachers hidden amongst the vast majority of mediocrity. Socially, it is a terrific experience learning how to navigate the diverse student body, participate in numerous exracurricular ativities and make lasting friendships. Academically, it is a bust if your child is in the least bit gifted. Even in the 'advanced' classes, the teachers teach to or below the middle, leaving gifted kids bored and restless. The project based learning environment is fine, but less then challenging. In hindsight, the experience was good, but given another chance, we would have selected a more challenging school.
This review was posted by a parent.

This is an extremely great school. Pin oak middle is the best. In every house there are different kinds of section. Well I'm in B house this year which is the best house to be in . The teachers are great, there's lots of smart kids, and the teachers are just fun to learn. Last year I was in A house its also has a good learning environment. Pin oak cheerleader
This review was posted by a student.

I don't agree with the last two posts. I was an active parent at Pin Oak and it is what you make it. My daughter was in House C and our experience was different. We came from a school where the last principal didn't give a hoot about the kids (Johnston) - she was not accessible, nor did she have the desire to have any daily contact with the children. The Principal at Pin Oak is accessible, listens to the kids and is also open to new ideas. We live in a time where we must find creative but affective ways of reaching our children and their friends. They are doing that at Pin Oak. Don't get me wrong - there is always room for improvement, but hardcrore disciplinary problems are escorted out of Pin Oak (witnessed!)
This review was posted by a parent.

I agree with the last post, the principal is weak at best and discipline is spotty. For a school that claims to be superior, there is no excuse for the students being permitted to get by with not meeting deadlines or even doing projects since it is a project based curriculum. They need to raise their minimal standards in what they will accept.
This review was posted by a parent.

I would not send another child to Pin Oak. Only House A is decent, but it might be questionable after getting a new Assistant Principal. Do not put your child in House C. The discipline at this school is inconsistent and random.
This review was posted by a parent.

I am a seventh grader in Pin Oak, and the year is turning out to be great! This school has a project based curriculum, which is a good thing. Expect to be getting projects from every class. The teachers are very helpful, the principal is great, and the technology is awesome. There are 18+ electives a student can chose, including theater, Reel to Reel, and languages, and high school credit courses like IPC, Algebra, and Spanish 1. There are also many sports offered! Parents, this is a great school for curious students to attend, but sometime the projects can get stressful.
This review was posted by a student.

The principal spends too much time defending pitiful teacher, but there are great ones too. The cost of materials for projects is minimal, ignore the comments on that. Some of the projects are great, others are useless..why teach kids to rap for a project when the English department fails to teach root words?
This review was posted by a parent.

I go to Pin Oak right now, and I love it! It is a very good school, and I am sad that I am about to finish!! They prepare you very well for high school and I am so glad I forced my parents to let me go here! I love Pin Oak, there is a place for everyone in extracurriculars and academics, and Mr. McDonough is the most awesome principal in the world! You should send your child here!
This review was posted by a student.

Pin Oak Middle School is a great school.The way I see it is that they are not giving us alot of homework and projects.They are giving us tools to succeed in HS and in life.I am curently in 8th grade and in House B.The principal is very active,hardworking and open-minded.He also listens and gives his time to the kids as well as the parents.We have a very active PTO,awsome teachers,and great house principals.In total everyone who works there is great.
This review was posted by a student.

Well i was reading all the comments abouts my former school i went to. I attended pin oak all 3 years,i started in 2003-2005.It was the best time of my life, teacher were strict but thats something kids at that age need,because they will slack off if not.I have also read that parents and students are complaining about too many projects ...But see thing is if you cant handle the challenge then you/you're child is not pre ap material..You got to remember this is a magnet school...Stop complaining and just move to another school, im now going to 10th i attend navarro hs and it is suppousely rated top 100 in texas well everything i did in pin oak middle school was a review for this year(05-06)which made my me realize it actually paid off, school work is much easier, and i know im prepared for anything that comes my way.
This review was posted by a student.

My son will be an 8th grader at Pin Oak Middle School. Being a relatively new building, it is attractive and clean and well-equipped with the latest technology. In spite of the obvious transition from private to public, our overall experience has been positive. The parents are very involved and the staff seems dedicated and committed. The English department has been somewhat disappointing but we are hopeful that 8th grade will be better. The concept of individual 'Houses' was very appealing to us. My son is in House B which is 'Fine Arts and Entrepreneurship' and this has allowed him to incorporate more creativity in to his work. This is a project-based school which can be overwhelming at first but the students adapt and rise to the challenge.
This review was posted by a parent.

.Project based learning. .~12 projects/yr - some projects show little thought about learning purpose, i.e. rap? cereal boxes? .Major problem with students completing projects on time with very little consequences .Handful of outstanding teachers, most average, few that have no business teaching. .Teachers seem unmotivated by administration to reach for excellence
This review was posted by a parent.

Having a project base curriculum is difficult when geographic locations of students very so dramatically.
This review was posted by a parent.

I love the project based idea. My children continue to be challenged academically. Principal is awsome! Love his leadership!
This review was posted by a parent.

What I love about Pin Oak is the House system that provides a 'small school feel' for each of the houses. Even though it is a middle school within HISD that is smaller than several of its neighbors such as Pershing and Lanier, the house system gives it an even more intimate feel. I think that for this age group, having a smaller community with its own commons area and Assistant Principal, it provides the needed structure that is missing for many of the larger schools. It feels like a small private school! Academics is also a high priority. My child is making his first B's after sailing through elementary and having to really study and 'think' about his assignments. In other words, he is being challenged. He is also socially happy having him in the neighborhood is priceless! Pin Oak also has a very active PTO.
This review was posted by a parent.

The quality of academic programs and the availability of fine arts, sports and other activities is excellent. The principal is very accessible and highly visible at the school. There is an active PTO and a large group of very dedicated volunteers.
This review was posted by a parent.

I'm a former student from Pin Oak middle school. In my opinion you can have much better junior high experence somewhere else. I believe in strick schools, but Pin Oak goes over the top. Last year we had to sit in assigned seats at lunch. The school sets a very hostile enviorment, and the students at the school never seemed to get along. Now that I'm in high school I feel I have a real disadvange from other kids in my class.
This review was posted by a former student.

I've been disappointed in Pin Oak. The classes run between 28 to 35 (which is the legal limit for a public school in Texas). The teachers have no time for the kids. My son who entered 6th Grade has had numerous difficulties with the carriculum. He was a A-B student in gifted and talented programs in elementary, but has sunk to a C or D student at Pin Oak. When reviewing grades with his teachers I noticed that most of the kids seem to be struggling. The curriculum seems to be at fault. The kids are expected to come from an elementary school environment to Jr High and immediately grasp organizational skills for which their not prepared.
This review was posted by a parent.

I am an 8th grader at PIN OAK This is a great school. Pin Oak is a project based school if you didnt know Pin Oak is a TEA recognized school! I am in house C and our teachers are great. I will be going off to high school and I will definitly miss it.
This review was posted by a student.

i hate this school it is the worst shcool in the disrict we have twice as much supplies as most it has more projects and all the projects at the same time so i have to do all this work from when i get home to when i go to bed and 11:30 pm. so if you realy care about your kids well being and the amount of sleap they get dont come to this school.
This review was posted by a student.

I am a parent of 2yrs @ Pin Oak. This yr. there is a new principal & he is Greater than great! Since it is a project based school, you should be prepared to handle projects in most of your subjects. I have had the opportunity to exper all 3 houses, & I think all are great. I wasnt too impressed with the lang. house C, in house B, fine arts & entrapenuership, I notice my child brings home mini projects like checkbook balancing, designing his own home&sq.ft., I also notice in house A, math&science, my other child brings home more science and math homework. It keeps them busy, but they will appreciate challenge later in college or in life. The teachers have to keep a hold on them conduct wise, because I think they are conscience about negative conduct coming into the school. Middle school children need more attention anyway.
This review was posted by a parent.

I am not a parent at pin oak. I'm an 8th rader that will graduate this year. The teachers there are okay but give out too many projects and homework. Pin Oak is a school that is trying to hard to be the best school. This year we have a new principle that is way better than the one we had last year. This school is so strict and gives so much homework and projects that the average kid that buys all the supplies needed spends an average of $4,200. In eight grade the students have to do a project that no other school has to do. Before I came to pin oak I used to always get good grades and I never got in trouble. As soon as I got into pin oak my record did'nt stay that clean. I really dont recommend this school for anyone.
This review was posted by a student.