Pinecrest High School

The school offers the best curriculum diversity, student test scores, and athletics in the county. Most teachers and principals care about the students a great deal. Unfortunately the teachers are overburdened by an inordinate number of meetings, most unproductive, and poor treatment by principals with student disruptions. My child was in a class with a great teacher who could not teach because of a group of unruly students. Several times I heard of her calling for assistance and rather than changing the class dynamics, they griped (my child overheard!) and slowly made their way to the room. My child had this teacher previously with zero problems but she hated the second class she had with this teacher because of the other students. Out of 12 classes there, she's had three classes where students aren't removed or classes shuffled to minimize disruptions. Why would a school permit students to run the class like that?
--Submitted by a parent

Pinecrest, while it does have its faults, is overall a good school. The thing that is best about Pinecrest is that they force you to take responsibility for your education. Depending on whether you are a responsible person or not is the ultimate deciding factor on how well you will do. They do have caring faculty who truly love their jobs but they expect the students to take an active role in their own education and will not hinder them by holding their hands and doing the work for them. Nothing here is handed on a silver platter to people who don't deserve it. With that being said, when they do find the dedicated student who is trying their hardest, whether they are struggling or excelling, they will do whatever they have to do to help the student succeed. Now you are not going to get along with everyone, that's just life but at Pinecrest you build lifetime bonds with the faculty and the students. So with that being said this is the perfect enivironment if you are willing to work. If not then this may not be for you and all this comes from a currnent PCHS senior. :)
--Submitted by a student

I am a Union Pines graduate and my kids were in Union Pimes high school for 2 years. We switched them to Pinecrest when we moved. We heard all kinds of horro stories about Pinecrest. Well so far this year there has been less DRAMA, Less issues with Bulling principals , my kids have a bigger advantage now they are able to take a diverse mix of classes most of the classes not offered at any of the other schools here. My kids were finally able to be put into Honor classes whch Union Pines whould not do unless the 8th grade teacher recommended it. My kids are acing their classes in honors. The only bad thing we have encountered as parents and as students in that one of the teachers. Ms. McLoed a young teacher she bullies her students and picks on kids for their differences from speech to accents to sexuality or their family background. As well as the teachers dressing like they are 14. I had to actually ask a Teacher if she was a teacher. She was going to her car she had a long slit in the back of her skirt . As soon as she bent to put her stuff in her car I seen all that she had and shall I say she should of trimmed more. But over all it is a good school academically.
--Submitted by a parent

Pinecrest is a mixed bag, as I was warned it would be. My daughter had a fantastic first semester, with caring teachers who challenged her. This semester she feels lost, with some teachers who appear cold, kids with cell phones on all the time, and a lot of inappropriate language, etc. I tried to complain but teachers don't always call back. I tried the principal for this level who basically said until I spoke to the teacher, he won't speak to me. It's a vicious cycle. The main thing I've learned is that once you've found the good teachers, try to stick with them, if possible. Pinecrest has a lot to offer, but it takes some time to get to it all.
--Submitted by a parent

Pinecrest High is a very large school, in fact overcrowded. Moore County really needs to consider building another high school with appropriate teacher/students ratio per classroom. For the students from the West End area and the huge problem with the morning traffic on 211 near Taylortown/Lowes Food, something needs to be done about it. It is a good high school there are some good teachers and some bad teachers and don't let all the rumors about the bad teens scare you because as long your child is strong and socialing with the right group of friends, he/she will be alright.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former teacher,coach, and parent of three girls who graduated from pinecrest. The school is a great academic challenge- offering a myriad of excellent studies to students. The athletic department is surpassed by no system in this state in overall excellence. The classrooms, auditorium,athletic fields,stadiums, and gymnasium are very good. The drama, orchestrea,band,aand performing arts are fantastic. The only shorttfalls are the lack of a second gymnasium and a large student populatiion.
--Submitted by a parent

Pinecrest offers every student a chance to achive their goals in life , by offering advanced classes that so many schools do not, my grand-daughter was in France for a year as an exchange student ,her parents live in Greenville NC and she wanted to come and stay with us just so she could get the classes she needed to get into a good college and she loves the school and the teachers, it seems that all of the students that attend this school are Pinecrest proud!!!

Without a Doubt, I have to say that the one thing to me that stands out about this school is the Excellent Athletic Program. With almost every team making it to the playoffs this past year, I must say the Coaches, Players, etc. are doing a marvelous job.
--Submitted by a student

I am a senior at pc and i have been here all four years.. I have had really no problems here.... But i believe in order to enjoy any school you need to make sure you have friends to guide you through. Pc is an awesome school and all of my teachers were awesome.... Im proud to be a patriot :)
--Submitted by a student

When we moved from the DC area my son was in the middle of a course of study not offered by Pinecrest. They made arrangements for him to continue his studies through distance education. My other son is at PCHS also and he does come home and tell me of altercations every now and then but these disturbances don't seem to be affecting his education and are no where near the level of problems at the high schools in Prince George's County. If you are an involved participatory parent you'll be fine. I have never had a problem with return communication and frequently recieve updates from teachers. One Kudos: the attendance secretary is tough but fair and when watching her interact with the kids I can tell she genuinely cares for them. Keep up the good work.
--Submitted by a parent