Pinedale Elementary School

We are a military family, so we move a lot. Our special-needs child has attended numerous schools, and Pinedale ES is, by far, the best. Our child has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last two years, because the teachers are so amazing. She used to make average grades and require constant supervision, but not anymore. She is an honor-roll student with self-discipline and a sense of responsibility. The teachers all know her (and all the other students) by name. I have never seen such dedication, from the top down. The quality of teachers and the climate set by the principal and administration set the standard for academic excellence. The students are polite, good citizens as well. Hats off to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Pinedale is an excellent school with outstanding teachers and great leadership from the Principal and Assistant Principal. The Principal has really improved the school's staff, performance, character, and heart. This school is truly a "community school." The teachers and parents work hard to make every student feel special while fostering an environment of academic excellence. The students believe they can all achieve excellence and those that fall short of their goals look forward to correcting their shortcomings in the next term. The important thing is the fact that the students feel empowered to control their own success. Pinedale has produced a bounty of ABC students and is in my opinion the best Elementary School in Enterprise Alabama.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School, I have a first grader that attends Pinedale. She loves it. Her Teacher is great and the staff is extremely friendly. I would highly recommend.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm very disappointed of the school system here. Every work is very slow, no challenging, and boring. There is no break time for students between classes. it's very unsocial environment. I tried to talk to the school counselor and principal, yet they have no ideas but excuses. I finally decided to pull out my child.
—Submitted by a parent

Pinedale Elementary's limitations are what stands out the most about the school. The inferior practice of practice to pass the test is not what I expect in a good school. Parents beware. Don't be surprised when you ask your kid what they did at school today that they tell you they watched a movie. The playground is like a mud pit. There are no indoor gymnasium facilities. This is the type of school that causes me to cringe. The school has no art program (music or art). Recess is P.E. Definitely not a school that focuses on what is best for children. When you live in Enterprise you quickly learn that the schools starting with "H" are the ones to send your kid. Zoning matters, so do your homework!
—Submitted by a parent

Typical No Child Left Behind school that drags the quality of education down for high performing students. Focus is on reading and math to prepare for testing. Memorization and regurgitation take precedence over an enriched environment that supports learning with understanding and critical thinking. Subject diversity is minimal. Extra curricular activities are minimal but the school does work hard to set up fun outings occasionally. This school still uses corporal punishment when the majority of states have outright banned the practice. There are issues of important upkeep regarding things like working latches on bathroom stalls. I do feel that the teachers and administration at the school are good people working with what they can. It is a friendly environment that is stifled by policies and funding issues that are often outside of their control.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall the staff is awesome, and the curriculum here is way more advanced than the one in New York! The only area that seems to be lacking is PE, it seems like a free for all and a lot of issues seem to arise during this time.
—Submitted by a parent

My niece goes to this school and absolutley loves it she loves her teacher!!!

My children have been going to Pinedale for 2.5 years. I like Pinedale because the parents are always welcome at the school and are encouraged to be involved. Also, all of the staff and many of the teachers always remember mine and my husband's name as well as our children's name. Even in public they will walk up and say hi. We are a military family and the staff makes an effort to understand the military child's difficulties and help them. I only gave 4 stars because I feel like school is not very fun here. It is all read read read and math math math. There is no recess and no music or art. I also feel like they only teach to pass the tests and not to help the child understand.
—Submitted by a parent

For those parent's with children at Pinedale for the first time. Pinedale has been going through its accreditation process and how the children are doing on tests determines if the school recieves its accreditation or not. Through the test from the previous year the problem areas are identified and more attention is given to those area to help ensure the children are where they need to be on the national average. Obviously the parent that says that art and music are not taught at the school has never spent any time themselves there. The school has a music teacher as a part of their faculity. The school has grade level musicals through out the year. The school has a after school choir that is called Music Express for students in the upper grades. The school also has an after school art club for the children in the 3rd grade.
—Submitted by Monty Kirkland, a parent

We moved to this school after Christmas break this year. So far we like the school okay, but there are a few issues I feel I need to share. The main one, is that the school focuses too much on test prep. The kids sit and practice math facts to prepare themselves for the tests. They only do 1 recess a day, which is paired with PE, and there is no art or music that we have seen yet. My daughter is pretty unhappy here for this reason. They are focusing too much on the academics and forgot that school needs to be fun too.
—Submitted by a parent

Before we moved here we heard how great a certain school was in the area and was disappointed to learn we were zoned for Pinedale and evened considered a private school. We decided to give Pinedale a chance and I must say we love it. Parent involvement is greatly encouraged and you always feel welcomed by the staff. I have sat in on my child's class several times and can definitely see how no child is left behind. The teachers work very hard to help every child in the area they may need some extra attention. I encourage all who are moving here to look at parent reviews of the area schools as they are more accurate.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with all of the faculity and staff of Pinedale Elementary School.
—Submitted by Monty Kirkland, a parent

Our daughter has been attending Pinedale since Kindergarten and she is currently in the third grade. We are very pleased with her teacher Mrs. Griffin and the entire Pinedale staff. There are many things that the children can be involved in. All of the parents pull together and work as a team side by side with the teachers. What a great experience for our children. The teachers and office workers 'Know' who you are when you call and show that they care even during the busiest of days. Keep up the Great work Pinedale Staff and Principal!
—Submitted by Jena Hughes, a parent

my children have attended pinedale for three years now and i truely enjoy the school and the opportunities it has for them. i do not belive there could be a better principal. you go mr. retherford! the inconsistents of having subteachers in and out of class is very challenging for my child. i pray to get this year over and hopefully children who are assigned to her class next year will have strong self teaching skills they will surely need them. 5th grade for my son has been plesant. i have enjoyed the different activties. thanks ms addaway and the 5th grade staff
—Submitted by a parent

my son recently transferred to pinedale and we are very pleased with every aspect of the school. his teacher, ms stewart, is wonderful and he is adjusting very well. i am thankful for the kind and caring staff at the school as well as the student body.
—Submitted by april, a parent

My daughter transferred to Pinedale after the first 9 weeks. She had an easy transistion thanks to her 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Hilton. We hope that our 6th grade year will be as blessing filled as the 5th grade was. Mrs. Hilton will be sorely missed. Pinedale has an excellent principal. Kudos to Mr. Retherford!
—Submitted by Paula Howell, a parent

Having been in the military for 17 years, we have had our share of schools. My daughter attended Pinedale for 2 years. Her 5th grade teacher was top notch. 6th grade, however, was poor to say the least. Her teacher was below standard and provided little or no student/parental support. Overall, I was pleased with Mr. Parker and then Mr. Rutherford. Looking at the latest test scores I can see that Pinedale continues to strive for the students to reach there fullest potential.
—Submitted by a parent

3 years ago we moved from Pinedale to a school in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Although my son is in the best elementary school in the district we terribly miss the quality teachers at Pinedale. Because of the zoning where we live, only the 'upper class' children go to my son's school. The teachers don't work nearly as hard as they did at Pinedale! Pinedale also had fantastic parent support and were very civic minded. If only we could have taken the school with us! Kudos to Mr. Parker and his staff.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very disappointed with 6th grade, in particular. 5th grade was fabulous! School atmosphere/spirit/support is phenomenal! Overall, this school gets my vote. There is always one bad apple.