Pinecrest School Northridge

My son attends preschool so my reviews will only be based on my experience. What I like about this school is: - There is a feeling of community. Students, teachers and other faculty members call each other by first name basis. - Friendly staff - Kids, parents and people who work there have sense of belonging. - Great academic program. In Preschool, my son already recites Pledge of Allegiance. - Two teachers in one classroom. - Personalized classroom for the kids. - Safe environment - School well kept.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school. Can't say enough good things about the principal and her staff. The school is well run and the kids are happy. My family is in education and I know how hard it is to run a school. You can see that the principal and her staff work well together and the happiness is passed on to the kids. A rare find these days.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at this school for 7 years and have found the staff to be professional and warm. The Principal and the teachers are great. They are good with the kids and care about education. Our children love coming to school which is a big plus for us. Whenever we had a concern the Principal listened and helped us resolve the problem. The after school staff is great with the kids. They do fun things like face painting and games with hula hoops. This year there has been more parent involvement and we are happy to see this. We feel our kids are challenged academically and receive a good education. I have recommended the school to two friends who also enrolled.
—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

I am a second grade parent whose child loves going to this school every day. The work is challenging and the teachers we've had so far have been wonderful. I saw the comment posted on Feb.11th and didn't understand it. As parents we get a weekly list of assignments and projects. I always know what is happening in the classroom. The work is advanced for the most part. There is no charge to go to the school library. We pay extra for lunch or sometimes a field trip but that's about it.Compared to some other private schools this one is not so expensive. Kudos to the principal and teachers for doing such a great job. We appreciate you.
—Submitted by a parent

My Kid is in 1st grade. We are dissatisfied with principal and office plus academic program. School is very expensive. They charge us for each and every small things. Sometimes no hot water coming in restrooms.
—Submitted by a parent

You don't get what you pay for. My daughter is going last 3 years. They don't pay attention to academis program. Everything has extra charge. I have to teach science at home and she learn math at Kumon. I have no idea what they do in school except drawing and cutting. But I have to admit one thing that they pay attantion to english. I agree that staff is nice only when want money from you. They charge money even sometimes they take kids to their own school library. School is very expensive compare to what they provide for education. There is no communication between parents and teachers. My daughter is in 2nd grade but they teach them KG lever Math. They give Math and Science hw for a page which is twice in a month. And project is for parents they don't help or teach how to do to kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Pinecrest was excellent both academically and administratively as my daughter spent Kindergarten and 1st grade at Pinecrest in 2007-2009. Great exposure and great pace of learning to keep her ahead of the curve.
—Submitted by a parent

We have our son in school since he was 3. He is in 1st grade now. So far, the teachers my son has w/ are great and very dedicated. The curiculum is fairly good, spanish, music, PE are provided regularly. I wish some of the enrichment programs like art, sports, music instrument, etc.. are included in the regular program instead of extra for every subject we'd like the kid to have.
—Submitted by a parent

My husband and I love the school. Our kids have done well there and have made many friends. The teachers we have experienced so far are great. The parents were proud to hear that the school was chosen as a National Blue Ribbon School this past year. The strong leadership of the Principal together with the hard work of the teachers and friendly office staff are what make the school a great place to be. The buildings are older and some of the playgrounds could use some new play equipment but the obvious caring for the children makes up for it. We are moving out of state and will miss this excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent

You definelty dont get what you paid for at Pinecrest! The teachers are great and work very hard together, but the office staff is horrible. They all appear to be nice when they want your money, but once they've got you hooked they can care less about you. The principal has no idea what she is doing and often times hides in her office to avoid confrontation. The staff does not support or stand up for their hard working teachers and its a wonder why so many of the good ones leave. When taking a tour...take a close look at the rooms. They are vrey outdated and many are not up to code. The only thing Pinecrest has going for them is their teachers and without them the school is crap.

If you send your child here, make sure you snoop. The school lets you see what they want you to see. Uninvolved parents drop off and pick up with little attention to what is really going on. Don't take their word for it. Look around. Money spent better elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

The campus offers spanish, music, PE and computers to K-8 as part of its regular curriculum.Other extracurricular activities include:Karate,tennis,dance,cheer,piano,art and sport activities(for a fee).The only thing free is a homework workshop offered afterschool.The principal maintains a culture of achievement and support and has high expectations for academics and behavior.The buzz around campus is that the principal is not accessible to parents;yet,once you approach her, she is all ears.I agree that she does not appear friendly and she is not outgoing. Don't expect a greeting!She is, however, good at what she does.The proof is in the pudding! The teachers have specific plans for student learning and progress.The goals are ambitious yet attainable.What is important to me? My child, who is happy, safe, and socially developed.
—Submitted by a parent