Pinecrest School Northridge

Money better spent elsewhere! Principal is oblivious to problems going on in her own school and unwilling to fix problems when is finally aware of them. Unfriendly office staff. Classrooms, bathrooms and playgrounds not up to code and unsafe. Favoritism in students who's parents vontureer and spend all their time in school. Nothing good about this school except for the TEACHERS.
--Submitted by a parent

Principal and staff are unfriendly especially office staff. If you have this kind of money to send your kids to school, better find another one!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Great academic curriculum - our child has grown & learned a lot at Pinecrest. Bigger teacher turnover & increased class sizes in recent years.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended since she was 18 months old and was even potty trained while in the toddler center. I really appreciate the character counts program and it has indeed instilled sound character traits and fostered a conducive learning environment for my daughter. She has successfully progressed via the preschool courses and is now a student in the Jr. Kindergarten. This is an accelerated Pre K program that has a rigorous curriculum. Essentially, the kids are doing kinder level work. Mrs. Zovig and her two aides are marvelous with all their students. The kids have been exposed to an abundant amount of academic material and they are maturing quickly. Amazingly, Mrs Zovig taught the kids a basic section on Anatomy and Physiology and the kids responded well as an entire class. As a result of attending the Jr. K Program, my daughter is able to write her first and last name, count to 100, write her numbers perfectly 1-50, write capital and lower case letters a-z, write short sentences, read books (i.e. The Cat in the Hat/ Green Eggs and Ham, and more), solve simple addition and subtraction problems....the list goes on and on. The spanish program is excellent too.
--Submitted by a parent

My two children have both attended Pinecrest. My first started when he was two and was there until Kindergarten, and my youngest one is there now in the toddler center. Pinecrest has been an absolutely wonderful place for both of my children. My husband and I have never felt anxiety or concern over anything relating to the children there; we feel they are safe, well taken care of, and most importantly, are well taught. My oldest can read and do math at a third grade level now, both of which I attribute mostly to what and how we was taught at Pinecrest. He is now in first grade at a highly gifted magnet in the LAUSD, and although the quality of education he currently receives is outstanding, we miss the personal touch and openness with which he was treated at Pinecrest. In addition, I would consider the quality of instruction at Pinecrest to rival that of the gifted magnet; he has friends in first grade at Pinecrest who are learning the same things or, in some cases, are ahead in some subjects he is currently studying. We truly miss Pinecrest and highly recommend it to those who want a safe, friendly environment with excellent academics for their children.
--Submitted by a parent

I attended Pinecrest Northridge from preschool-6th grade. LOVED IT ! GREAT SCHOOL WITH GREAT TEACHERS !

i read the reviews about no parent involvement wanted and staff being unfriendly. Many of us parents know who wrote these.A couple of disgruntled people who want the school to do everything for them. We try to get away from people like this at sports games etc. because they talk your ears off and you can't see your kid play. When we disagree with them they get angry. I say if you're not happy, leave. A satisfied parent
--Submitted by a parent

Very unfriendly staff. Charge extra for EVERYTHING. Poor before and after school program. Teachers assign projects that are way to difficult for the child, most projects the parents have to do rather than help their child. Many parents complain about this.
--Submitted by a parent

Make sure you spend a lot of time at this school before you enroll. Talk to the principal (very unfriendly). No parent involvement allowed.
--Submitted by a parent

Pinecrest has been a second home for both of my kids. The academic program is great. The teachers are awesome and they go above and beyond to teach their students. People that think this school is expensive are wrong and should do a more detailed research. We have to be realistic and understand that some kids need the extra tutoring and that doesn't make the school or the teachers a failure. I have to agree that the projects are very challenging, but the kids are supposed to do them and not the parents. As parents, it is our job to guide them, but not to do the work for them! This school is a Blue Ribbon School and I am sure the kids didn't earn that award by only 'drawing and cutting the entire day' Come on people!! Pinecrest: we appreciate you too!!
--Submitted by a parent