Sinclair Elementary Magnet Program

[travelguy_73]

Originally Posted by chicagonyc

Turns out my other kid was accepted into another magnet school. Shocking that they would split the kids up?

One other question: how is the real world school-time commute from places like Meyerland and Bellaire, where we are very partial to living?

The elem schools in the Meyerland/Belliare area are among the best in HISD. You would be better served going to your zoned school if you plan to be in this area.

[chicagonyc]

Thanks for this info. We're more set on the Meyerland and nearby neighborhoods than we are on the school, unless the school was extraordinary.

Originally Posted by KatieKennedy

Sinclair would be a difficult morning commute around 610 from Meyerland and Bellaire because of the traffic through the Galleria area. If you are set on Sinclair, look to live in the Shady Acres, Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest or Timberside areas to be closer to the school. Where was your other child accepted into the Magnet? If you can move into the zoned area for one of the schools, that might solve your problem.

[chicagonyc]

I have been in email contact with the principal and will soon talk to her on the phone. Interesting idea about the bus pickup.

MacGregor is the other magnet for my other kid. I will ask about a transfer.

Originally Posted by Meyerland

I would find out where the bus pickup is for Sinclair or the other school. You might also call one of the campuses and see if you can get a principal transfer for the other sibling. What's the other campus?

You might be able to get a principal transfer to another campus for both, if they have space available. There would not be access to the magnet buses, though.

[chicagonyc]

No, not twins.

Our 3rd grader has much better waiting list positions than the kindergartner. So maybe we'll move up into an even higher position?

How does the sibling preference thing work?

Originally Posted by predatorprey

I for one would not want my kids to go to different schools for the hassle alone.

Also, it's not unusual for non twin kids to have different lottery positions for different schools. If they are twins, you filled out the forms wrong. (New HISD policy to not split up for 2016 year)

Ask yourself. What's your lottery position for both kids for your most preferred school. Expect to see significant movement throughout the summer. Sometimes up to 50 or more people will move through the wait list. This was our experience with the magnet program.

If the other child is accepted to a more preferred school accept it. Then your child that was not accepted will gain sibling preference.

[chicagonyc]

Rent in the first year I think before we figure out where to go.

Originally Posted by chris_ut

Would make the most sense to live in Oak Forest. What is your housing budget? For residency they typically ask for a utility bill in your name.

[chicagonyc]

What a great resource! Thanks.

Originally Posted by WRM20

The bus information is available here, for this year, but it doesn't change much Transportation / Home

It does appear that there aren't any kids going to Sinclair from the Bellaire area, so no pickups there this year. HISD will do pickups where students need rides.

[chicagonyc]

That's great info. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Meyerland

If you have a magnet seat and request busing, HISD provides it. It may be farther from your home, but they are pretty good about it.

[chicagonyc]

That's what I was thinking, unless they got into some extraordinary school!

Originally Posted by travelguy_73

The elem schools in the Meyerland/Belliare area are among the best in HISD. You would be better served going to your zoned school if you plan to be in this area.

[KatieKennedy]

If you got in River Oaks Elementary or TH Rodgers it might make sense to go outside Meyerland or Bellaire. As other posters have said the zoned schools in Meyerland and Bellaire will be very good-- probably better than Sinclair or MacGregor. Renting until you get a feel for the town is a good idea.

[chicagonyc]

Originally Posted by KatieKennedy

If you got in River Oaks Elementary or TH Rodgers it might make sense to go outside Meyerland or Bellaire. As other posters have said the zoned schools in Meyerland and Bellaire will be very good-- probably better than Sinclair or MacGregor. Renting until you get a feel for the town is a good idea.

Thanks, that's the key comparison I'm thinking about (neighborhood in Meyerland/Bellaire vs Sinclair/MacGregor).