Pinecrest Schools - Simi Valley

I used to think this school was amazing. in the past few years I have watched it go downhill. There are a few amazing teachers but, thats about it. The new director is always trying to get parents to give money for one thing or another. There is also alot of favortism on her part. She will speak differently to you than she does your child. My son has not been happy this year so we are looking into different schools in the fall. Take the tour, meet the teachers and director and talk to other people. It is a lot of money to spend and not be completely satisfied.
—Submitted by a parent

My 2 children are now at the private school near by. Better education, better sports program, nicer people!! Look elsewhere and don't settle for average!
—Submitted by a parent

Sweet Thanksgiving play. My child loved it. We are only at Pinecrest for the 3rd grade teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

My child was in the annual Thanksgiving play called "Turkeys Go On Strike" put on by the 3rd grade yesterday. It was the cutest play I have ever seen. The kids worked so hard and it was obvious. The teacher is so amazing, balancing curriculum with practicing for the play. The students were so confident and performed perfectly. Even the president of Pinecrest Schools was there to support the program. I am so glad my child goes to Pinecrest Simi Valley!
—Submitted by a parent

Shame on the parent that posted the negative comment about the recent Thanksgiving Play. The play was amazing and my child loved being part of the experience. We keep our children at Pinecrest because of these types of activities. I don't believe my child missed out on any classwork in preparation for this performance and I appreciate all of the teacher s dedication, love, and hard work she puts towards her students. I wish that more of our parents would share the positive things that go on at this school. I am very pleased with the new director on campus. She seems to really be making some positive changes for the school. I met with her last week and discussed the new technology that the school with be getting this year. If you are thinking about this school, go check it out and meet the teachers and director and decide for yourself. We are happy with the school and our children love coming to school every day!
—Submitted by a parent

Wow you sound like a very bitter and angry person, to take your own fustrations out on a caring and extremely professional educator is a disgrace. Shame on you children learn what they live. I'm so gratefull that I appreciate a teacher that truly cares about my child.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree the Thanksgiving play was amazing! The teacher is incredible and has taught both of my kids hard work and discipline are the key success - she is a major reason why we send our kids to the school. The play is a fun, entertaining way to for the kids to learn about Thanksgiving, confidence and cooperation. Too bad the parent that wrote the bad review did not have that experience. I thought all the kids all did a great job!
—Submitted by a parent

My child was so excited to be in the play mentioned below, all of the kids did an amazing job memorizing their parts, it was great for them to have something to look forward to and to be proud of, Kudos to all of the children and staff for their dedication and hard work, especially the amazing Mrs. Baker. Mrs Baker is the best teacher we have met by far, so caring, dedicated and resourceful, an absolute asset to pinecrest school and my child's well being and education. The new director is very involved and caring and we have never had an issue contacting her by phone or email, always a quick response. Thank You Pinecrest Simi Valley for a wonderful experience, my child loves it here.
—Submitted by a parent

Yes they may have new teachers and a new director. But the change has been amazing. The staff seems to be a lot happier and the school has never looked as good. The new director is great something the school needed. I'm very happy to have my kids there and can't wait to see what the following years bring.
—Submitted by a parent

My child was in a thanksgiving play that the kids have been practicing for weeks! Cute play but I don't think it was worth all of the time away from their classwork and all of the yelling and screaming their teacher did! I feel like it became the parents job to teach the kids at home. The school costs a lot of money and my kid does not need the pressure of his yelling teacher!! Campus director does not return phone calls! If you are thinking about this school, don't do it!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My toddler has only been here for a few months, though it sounds like my toddler is just adjusting to the new environment, but he's actually not. The first few weeks, he started doing great and happy until he got sick. Took him to the pediatrician and had a little cold, no biggie. From that point on, he would get sick at least every other week. My wife and i would get a call from the school to pick him up and our pediatrician is really confuse why the kids are being sent home for a minor fever 98 degree....I even check his temperature when i picked him up and he was actually just 96-97 degrees, the teacher was speechless. Teachers and staff thinks that my toddler has a weak immune system but he barely gets sick from the old daycare we use to take him. We spend a lot of money to this so-called private school, and my toddler gets sick almost every week. My wife and i would literally take at least 3 days off every 1-2 weeks. Theres some concern about the cleanliness of the toys and the classroom, not how often they are being clean but the question of the quality on how they sanitize and clean the classroom and everything that's in it. I don't recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Read this before you decide to put your baby in the preschool! My little one was there last year and it was terrible. None of the teachers get along and they are so busy talking that they don't even know when or how a child gets hurt. The preschool director never smiles and doesn't even remember the kids names. I always had to say hi first before the director would even acknowledge me. Terrible place!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

What a disappointment this year! Waste of hard earned money. When the good people are gone there is always a reason! Inexperienced teachers who don't know what they are doing, high cost for below average education, people in office are not friendly and my kids are miserable!! Children do not come first at this school. No yard supervision and kids are told to work it out themselves. Coaching staff plays favorites and administration does not want to be bothered. This is our last year! Better schools in Simi for the money!
—Submitted by a parent

4 out of 5 stars?!? This school is a joke! I started my child in the toddler program and was surpirised by the all new faces I constantly saw. My child had really severe stranger anxiey, which I was very concerned about as it was my child's first school experience, but it was ultimately resolved by my child seeing to many new people coming and going. So, I suppose in that respect it worked in our favor. The snacks given during snack time were not healthy by any means...pop chips and cookies. What happend to prezels, graham crackers, fruit, or fish crackers? The school/teachers never told me when my toddler had any scrapes, cuts or accidents and inform me of any instances. I understand toddlers do fall a lot and get hurt, it's just part of the learning process, but as a parent, I do believe I have a right to know what my child does all day. I would often have to ask several teachers or assistants what my child ate or what my child did that day. Nobody really ever knew and when my child did have an accident, I got 3 different stories. The principal did not seem to care about anything and would walk right by me in the hallways without ever saying hello. Your child deserves better!
—Submitted by a parent

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.