Pine Crest School at Boca Raton

I attended Pine Crest Boca Raton from fourth to eighth grade, in hopes to have a great education, well-rounded extra-curricular options and opportunities, and a great social life. While I did get a pretty well-rounded education, and it did prepare me for the IB Program (which I am currently in for high school), opportunities that I enjoyed like Chinese, Band and Jazz Band, and TV Production, all of which were great, do not measure up to the social aspect of the school. If you are not a certain way, you will not feel comfortable. I know up until eighth grade, I tried and failed at making a solid group of friends with the few people who did not end up obsessing over sports or having to have "the most expensive everything" After going back to public school, I can honestly say education and opportunity wise it was great, giving options you may or may not find elsewhere, but it does not outweigh the pretentious and uncomfortable environment the students pose onto others who dare to be different in some shape or form.

This school does not have much to offer. I sent my daughter to Pine Crest starting in Kindergarten all the way through eighth grade before moving her out, but I wish I had acted sooner. The school is all about money and left her with a few "gaps" in education once she switched over. Most of the students are all about how much money you have, and your child will be treated differently if you are not wealthy and donating to the school constantly. My daughter began to seem more materialistic especially in her later years, but that changed once she was removed from that environment. If you have the option, look for another private prep school in the area.
—Submitted by a parent

i went here for a year so far i just moved to boca from ny and this school comfort me so much the teachers and students were nice and respectful, clean school too

Pine Crest school has one of the best college placement records in the country. Period. Both of my children are thriving. Reading some of the comments below makes it abundantly clear that the school is not for everyone. The curriculum is challenging and the teachers expect their students to achieve. My 4th grader is reading at a 12 th grade level, plays 2 instruments and 2 sports. Not surprisingly, parents of Pine Crest students tend to also be high achievers and financially successful. We all want the best for our children. PineCrest is undoubtably the best school in Boca Raton.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has been ok for the nine years that I was there, but the academics are not what they are hyped up to be. Public schools are doing the exact same things that Pine Crest calls advanced, and the kids are all about the money. The a lot of the teachers are mean and only want to get out as soon as possible. Everything has to do with social status in that school, and I am very happy that I am not continuing on to Pine Crest Fort Lauderdale.

Cannot say enough good things about this school. The excellent teachers, the challenging academics, the approachable administrators, the varied extra-curricular offerings all combine to make this a wonderful and enriching educational experience for any student lucky enough to be there. I was dismayed to read the reviews claiming that it was all about donors, money and flash. This was not our experience at all. Any private school in Boca Raton will have its share of inappropriate displays of wealth by its families but for every student like that there are a hundredfold more who are grounded kids sent there by reality-based working parents who only want an excellent education for their children. Pine Crest also does a wonderful job of building character along with the great academics. My children have been there since Kindergarten and are now in Middle School. It has been a wonderful experience for our family.
—Submitted by a parent

Overrated. School is always looking for $$$$$. Academics are inconsistent and class sizes are larger than a public school. This isn't your parent's Pine Crest. Big donor's kids get mysterious grade adjustments.... The culture is all about the money and success at all costs regardless of the consequences. Madoff would be proud. Will move my son after this year to another private school or public school. He is doing fine academically, but the school is just empty calories and mean spirited.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is all about your car, clothes, money, and 'status'. That's the message. If this environment suits you, than you will love it. My daughter was a straight A student, but the message is just too superficial. The constant requests for donor $$$$ was also a bit much. The class sizes are bigger than public schools in many cases. Money talks here....if that's your value system...than this is the school for you.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a pinecrest parent since 1989. I have found this school to be exceptional. I have a daughter who graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with honors and I have two younger children presently in attendance. I now have a 4 year old that we are testing for admission to Pine Crest. We have never been happier with their education. It does test the children to their greatest potential scholastically and at the same time they have one of the best music programs in the state. Their athletic program is exceptional giving anyone who wishes to play a sport, a spot on a team.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School my four children went here pk-12 and one is at harvard, two are premed at MIT, and the other is at NYU studying accounting! The campus is beatiful. This is the best school if your kid is good enough!
—Submitted by a parent

An amazing school if academics is your priority. Great teachers, and a wonderful enviornment for children.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School. A model of how great school should be run!
—Submitted by a parent

School rides on reputation. There are too many children in each classroom. Inconsistencies exist within each grade with teaching methods and performance. It is certainly a good school for Florida but not exceptional in many ways.

I am curently a student at Pine Crest. I have a lot of friends. Also when I dont get something in class, teachers explain again in a way that maybe I would get the 2nd time. I recomened this school for pre-k-8th grade. I started in pre-k and have had a great experience!
—Submitted by a student

I am currently an eighth grader at pine crest school Boca Raton. I have been going there since kindergarten. I am Asian and I love it there. They have so many clubs and performing arts activities to choose from. The Dance program is amazing too. I would recommend this school for any child who is up for the challenge.Also there is a lot of opportunities for parent involvement,especially in the lower grades. They also provide finicial aid.
—Submitted by a student

My daughters both attended Pine Crest for two years, and couldn't take the lack of compassion that most students exhibited. It seems the parents only concern is what the children are driving and the latest fashions. That is the extent of parent evolvement. The teachers try but it is really the parents and bank accounts that drive this school. If you want your child to grow up respecting cultural differences and with self expression, Pine Crest shouldn't be the school of choice. team. This school needs a reality check.
—Submitted by a parent

This school lacks diversity. The homogenous make-up of the student body can wreak havok on the self-esteem of those with cultural and color differences.
—Submitted by a parent

Second to none. Children must be able to work in an accelerated and driven environment. Materialism can seem apparent in middle and high school years. Excellent education and environment overall. Very involved parental and grand parent community. Should be prepared to write checks for fund raising beyond tuition.
—Submitted by a parent

Pine Crest School at Boca Raton offers premium education. With brand new facilities, including state of the art new middle school and newly redone Auditorium, this school can offer premium education. As an alumnus of the school, I can tell you that fine arts at Pine Crest are unmatched, and only equaled by Schools of the Arts. Athletics are also superior with new facilities and plently of coaches to help. Security also patrols the school making it a safe enviroment. Some consider the school strict, with policies such as expulsion for fighting, cheating, lying, etc. but I believe it creates a same and academically rigorous enviroment.
—Submitted by a student

Great private school. Excellent aademics, fine arts program and language classes. Sports are fair for grades 6-8. If you are looking for athletic scholarship look towards the fort lauderdale campus.
—Submitted by a parent