Pinewood Private-Upper Campus

Though most of the teachers are nice, they are incompetent. We often waste class time with watching movies, discussing unrelated material, or doing busy work. The homework load is pretty good at Pinewood--we have very little homework most of the time. The classes are generally very easy; however, many of the AP classes do not prepare students to take the AP's. The Pinewood school provides a friendly learning environment, but the quality of teaching could be vastly improved.
--Submitted by a student

I was a student there -- education was good. However, in retrospect not worth the amount of money, most of my friends in higher ed. came from public schools anyway. There is concern of a culture shock when students graduate and enter large universities.
--Submitted by a student

I have an 8th grade daughter at Pinewood and feel so blessed that she is there! She transferred in last year and was immediately accepted in by the staff, and other students. The academic program is rigorous, accompanied by personal individualized support from the teachers. The extracurricular activities are many for a small school. If there is enough interest in a new activity, the staff seems to somehow find a way to add it. I have found that there is a very high level of parental involvement. Not living in the area, we have found Pinewood to be extremely welcoming to our family.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a 7th grade son and 9th grade daughter at Pinewood. Pinewood provides a rigorous and caring learning experience. With class sizes ranging from 12 - 20 (and even smaller for some upper level courses) teachers know the students well. 25% of this year's graduating class (10 of 40 students) are National Merit Scholarship Finalists. The girls' varsity basketball team recently won the California State CCS championship (4 of the last 7 years). The school choral group, Pinewood Singers, recently won KFOX radio's 'Best Choral Group of Santa Clara County' vs. 32 schools. For a small private school (300 students in grades 7 - 12), it is indeed 'tiny but mighty.'
--Submitted by a parent

This is just a really great school. Much better than the school I used to go to. Everyone there is just a lot nicer and accepting. The inteligence level is also a lot higher than what I've seen at all the other schools I've been to.
--Submitted by a student

Pinewood is an excellent school filled with smart, really nice students. Strong academics and focus on respectful behavior and mutual support. Small classes, good teachers and an online grade tracking system that allows you to know your child's grades on every assignment every day (no surprises).
--Submitted by a parent

Great school with strong academics.
--Submitted by a parent

Very high expectations placed on students of all ages. Many children appear stressed-out and unhappy.
--Submitted by a parent

Academia expectations are very high for the Pinewood students; lots of extracurricular activities; very low level of parental involvement as most of the Pinewood community is quite 'Stepford'ish. Absolutely no cultural diversity.
--Submitted by a parent

High academics. Great availabilty of extracuriculars.
--Submitted by a parent