Pinecrest Academy

We are not returning to Pinecrest next year. We found the upper school administration to be overly amateur and unprofessional. Some of the teachers are great, but many teachers seem to be hired because they are also Pinecrest parents. Lower school teachers and administration were excellent, but I would discourage anyone from sending their children to the high school. There is a great emphasis on sports and cheerleading, while academics and academic clubs are a poor substitute for the public schools. In the upper school, when students are struggling in class, standards are lowered, assignments are waived, tests are exempted. We found the lower school academics and standards to be outstanding. In short ... if you're going to the lower school, it's a safe, healthy environment. If you're going for middle or high school, you'd be better off elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

Pinecrest Academy has been a gift to both our children and to our family. The school has excellent academics and has challenged our children at every grade level. The teachers are all dedicated to their students and do a great job in teaching both boys and girls in gender separate classrooms. As boys and girls learn differently, I wanted to make sure that my boys did not get left behind as most schools teach primarily the way girls learn. As my sons have grown, they have developed a love for learning that was heretofore not evident. My children also get a chance to participate in Athletics at a high level and are learning to play well, give their best to Christ, and understand what sportsmanship is. The school has really focused on maintaining their academic excellence, and are continuing to grow programs in the high school to give my children the best opportunity to succeed in college and in life. The school is committed to developing Christian Leaders that can help lead our country forward.
--Submitted by a parent

Private tutoring is encouraged due to the lack of progress for many students. This school also has a huge bullying problem to the point that even employees of the school have withdrawn their own children. Administration is unwilling to deal with, or even discourage, bullying. The culture of this school is very high pressure and high frustration for many students. Many families have left the school over these issues during the past few years.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent who brought her children here from local public schools (we were in public schools for nine years), my husband and I have been extremely happy with Pinecrest. I knew our public schools were excellent academically and wondered about the challenge Pinecrest would provide, and we have been very pleased. I've never seen my high school daughter happier (this is her third year at Pinecrest), she's VERY challenged with her AP course and other classes, and from the results of her PSAT and ACT scores, she's clearly getting a top notch education! On top of that, the growth I've seen spiritually in both children has been a tremendous blessing. This is our middle school son's first year here, and I've seen such growth in him already. His biggest complaint in the fall was the amount of homework! It got him to step up a bit and take on the challenge, and he's working harder than in prior years, which is such good training for high school and beyond. My daughter is about to embark on a mission trip with her class, and in her senior year, she and her class will go on a mission trip to Nicaragua, a tradition at Pinecrest. These kids get a great Catholic education, and MUCH more!
--Submitted by a parent

A great place to work and a top notch school. Focus is on our mission, "forming Christian leaders" through knowing and living Christian faith, academics, arts and sports. I have seen the school grow in all of these areas, with a constant focus on doing the best for our students. We have a nationally recognized band (playing at Carnegie Hall in April!). We have had the top SAT score in Forsyth County for the past two years. We just celebrated 3 of our student athletes accepting athletic scholarships for college. check our website!
--Submitted by a teacher

I am a current student at pinecrestacademy and I love it ! Pinecrestacademy is an amazing place with outstanding people. I have friends now that I know I will have forever. We have such a special bond because of the separations of boys and girls. Not to say I have amazing guy relationships. We look at each other as brothers and sisters. Nothing more, nothing less. I will be at PA as long as the good lord let's me stay!

Teachers and Principal are very good but the administration is terrible and unfortunately both need to be run by professionals in order to succeed. I thought Pinecrest was a Catholic Private School but it has shown us this last year that it is just a private school business. We hope that with Fr. Robert Presutti, new head of the school, Pinecrest becomes again a Catholic School.
--Submitted by a parent

Pinecrest stands as one of the 50 top Catholic Schools in the Nation with students scoring the highest SAT score in the state for a few years. Academically, the teachers and curriculum meet new students where they are and bring them to a higher levels to prepare students for top notch colleges. The formation of each student is intertwined with students leading the way to serve the community. Students earn community service hours on and off campus individually and in groups learning the importance to reach out to others and lend a helping hand. Check out the open house Jan. 9th from 1-4PM!
--Submitted by a parent

From one who relocated to GA from a (northern state) nationally recognized public school with significantly above average standardized test scores, with respect to Pinecrest, I was disappointed in the lack of organization and professionalism of the teachers. Most teachers are parents of PA students. I withdrew my children from PA due to the overstressed and frustrating environment. The teachers push paid afterschool tutoring in every subject because of their lack of teaching skills. What are the teachers creditials? I ve looked and asked and received nothing of substance. I withdrew my children at the beginning of a week and put them into the local public schools; Immediately, I found the Forsyth Cty schools taught above the curriculum and was 1-1 1/2 years more advanced than PA. Little do the PA parents know what they are missing from the excellent local public schools. BTW, the public schools are extremely academically advanced and safe.
--Submitted by a parent

From someone who has experienced a really top-notch public school for the last few years, I can tell you that Pinecrest Academy excels academically, ethically and spiritually. Elementary students are exposed to a wider and deeper vocabulary, science, history and even World Language(s) education that a public school education could not provide. After all, where is the time in a public school setting when from January to April, students are drilled on what to expect on CRCT's and EOCT's. Pinecrest provides an Excellent Classical Education that is infused well with social and ethical teachings through rich faith based formation programs at all levels. Classes are small and the atmosphere joyful! Everyone knows everyone and genuinely cares. Compare the tuition cost to what you save in clothes, school events and your child's future college tuition! AP and SAT scores speak for themselves! The campus is a pearl in this growing urban area.
--Submitted by a parent