Pinecrest School - Simi Valley

I go to this school now. Yes, the lunches here are not that great and are a rip off. But you don't judge a school based on their lunches! If your students are not learning, that is not the teacher's fault. This school actually teaches ahead a year than public schools. It is a small school but there is a great learning enviroment. I am not giving this school a good rating for no reason. You say there are bullies. That is not true, I am in the last grade and my class is really small. All of middle school knows eachother, and we know that no one is doing anything worse than what happens at public schools. If you saw bullying, you probably mistook it for some game between friends. And public schools have much worse conditions. We have opportunities at this school that other schools don't, like the extra-curricular classes. There are a few rules and systems that are pointless, but nothing makes this school as bad as anyone has said. All the past reviews have been over-dramatic.

Please read if you are considering enrolling you child in this school! I spent many hours volunteering at this school and I witnessed the things that go on here. Parents will tell you they are happy here only because they don't know what goes on during the day. Children will tell you its fine because they have been here from the beginning and don't know what a real school is like. The bulling here is more frequent than I have ever seen in a school. I watched kids get locked in bathrooms and lunches being taken for months. School yard patrols just tell the kids to work it out without helping to resolve any problems. It would take two full pages to list the documented issues my kids had to endure and some are so horrible you wouldn't believe it. I am so glad my children are now in a new happy school, Although having to tutor to catch up because of the lack of education received at Pinecrest.(I have spoken to many upset parents at all locations about this.) Please Please do your child a favor and visit all the other choices you have in Simi Valley because there are better options out there. I hope to save your child from the negative environment, extreme bulling and poor education!
--Submitted by a parent

My child is in the toddler center(rm. 2). I LOVE his teachers and he does too! I feel very comfortable leaving him in the morning. I know that he is extremely well taken care of and loved. They always go the extra mile to make sure the children have a fantastic time at school. He has made some great friends and I am very pleased at the quality of care and attention he gets everyday!
--Submitted by a parent

My two children are in the toddler/ preschool programs. Many of the teachers are warm and caring (A few not so much). I am disappointed that they do NOT differentiate instruction for the little ones who are academically above/ past what the class is learning. We came from Tutor time and I am happy to say there is a definite feeling that Pinecrest is a school and not a babysitting service which is the impression I got from Tutor Time.
--Submitted by a parent

Simi Valley Pinecrest School has a great education, staff, and sports program. It is a wonderful school with great teachers and students. so to everybody that has any critical comments....back off! go tigers! :)

I go here, and i Extremely enjoy it. When i moved here from a public school, i was far behind but the outstanding teachers helped me catch up. I have almost perfect grades now and will be graduating next year. The teachers are kind and will give help when you need it, and They have an after school care that will watch us until our parents arrive. They have Amazing extra curricular classes like Music, spanish, and Computers. The Students are caring and considerate, and there is a wonderful sports program. I'm extremely glad i moved here, and I will never forget the memories ive made here.

My child is in the Pre-K program here & I couldn't be happier with her teachers and the Director & Asst. Director for the pre-school. They are all warm & loving, not just to my kid, but to all the kids in the class. They are firm with following the rules/directions/good manners/etc, yet they have loads of fun. What my kid is learning here is great in terms of academics & social skills. Also, they've changed the lunch program recently, so the food is much healthier than it used to be, which we appreciate, since we eat very healthy at home.
--Submitted by a parent

Pathetic example of a school. Turnover with staff is unreal. The things I have witnessed make me wonder what happens during the day. They fire the good teacher and keep the bad ones. My daughter is in the pre K program, the only reason she is still there is I do believe in the K teachers. I can not wait to move on
--Submitted by a parent

To add: How is it possible that parents have given Pinecrest in Simi a 4 star parent involvment rating?? There are no opportunities to volunteer in the classroom, field trip chaparone needs are not advertised to all parents, no invitation to come have lunch with your child from time to time. Public schools encourage and want parent involvment - Pinecrest seems to want parents out. I've never heard of a school that doesn't offer parents the opportunity to volunteer in their child's class. Would LOVE to hear why others have given them a 4 star rating in this area. There simply is no parent participation welcome.
--Submitted by a parent

My text is below! Forgot to give my 1 star rating! I will add that the academics are good but it doesn't make up for all else mentioned.
--Submitted by a parent