Pinecrest School

I can't say enough about this school. We have two children there and they are thriving. The teachers are so passionate and it shows in every aspect of our kids' learning. The computer lab has brand new Macintosh computers and my kids are becoming more computer savvy than I am. The school also offers French or Spanish through Rosetta Stone which has been quite effective and let them work at their own pace. The Head of the School really fosters the spirit of community within the school for both teachers and parents. The 2nd - 6th graders have started a chapter of the service club, K-Kids, which is a part of the Kiwanis family. They have had hands-on experience making a difference which has had a strong impact on both of them. I also love how supportive the upper and lower grades are to eachother. The older kids mentor the younger ones by reading to them and other ways of modeling -- my kids are closer now than they ever have been and I credit Pinecrest's nurturing environment. The Pinecrest experience has been so rewarding and refreshing for us - it is a really special place.
--Submitted by a parent

Pinecrest has been a terrific experience. We have been in preschool for two years and would likely continue at the school if we were not leaving the area. Pinecrest combines nurturing, play and academics perfectly. In this area it is often hard to feel connected, but Pinecrest does a great job of connecting kids and families with their school community. I cannot say enough good things about the experience we have had at Pinecrest, it will certainly be something that stays with my son for a lifetime.
--Submitted by a parent

This is our third year at Pinecrest. Our children (in 2nd grade and preschool) are thriving academically, emotionally, socially and absolutely love going to school every day. It was very important to us to send our boys to a school that would challenge them academically while being a nurturing place for them to grow and learn. We have been consistently impressed with how well the teachers know them and address their individual needs. Not only do the teachers and staff care for their students, but they also foster an environment where the children support and respect one another. Pinecrest s regular school day is impressive, including enrichment classes for pre-K 6th grades; they also offer a fantastic after-care program, great after-school activities, and a summer camp the boys look forward to every year. We couldn t be happier.
--Submitted by a parent

We had our 3 year old daughter moved from a daycare facility to Pinecrest preschool, and like most children her age she does not like change. After only three days she was well adjusted to the new routine and now prompts me every morning to "hurry up and go to school". She really likes her teacher and classmates, and is clearly excited about going to school. The teachers genuinely care about the learning style/pace of their students, and having a small class size contributes to the individual student attention and success. Excellent enrirchment classes (art, music, computers, spanish, PE, after scool science/yoga/soccer).
--Submitted by a parent

I just got the 'Great Schools' email about checking on your school's test scores to see how well it is doing. Fortunately, my child is at Pinecrest and does not have to suffer through the SOL process (I see lots of kids in the middle of that right now and feel sorry for how much it intrudes into their schooling). That being written, I just got her test scores from the one standardized achievement test they use to assess where the class is and if they are doing a decent job. The scores I got confirm everything I have believed about Pinecrest, specifically that it does a fabulous job teaching kids to be WELL above the minimum requirements. In fact, I believe the results show that they are able to teach at a higher level than the County GT programs. I am thrilled with all that she is learning, but even more importantly, I am thrilled that she loves going to school and her love of learning extends beyond the classroom and into life in general.
--Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of a first grader and I turned to Great Schools to research our private school options. All I can say is THANKYOU! We began our journey with the Summer Pavilion and it was wonderful- the camp experience is so creative and different from anything else we have found. Our daughter loved it. With regard to the school, we have seen our daughter thrive under the small class size (hers is a full class of 15) and intimate atmosphere. The teachers are wonderful and really focus on each child - which lets them grow and develop socially and intellectually at their own pace, but with amazing results. The teachers and staff are remarkably accessible and committed. Family involvement is encouraged and you feel so welcome among the staff, teachers and school community. There are special classes (like French, computer, library...) which help to provide a challenging and dynamic environment for the kids. After-care is available and my daughter LOVES her time in aftercare. There are also enrichment type aftercare classes (like study buddies, mad science...) which are wonderful experiences for the kids and very popular.
--Submitted by a parent

My three year old is currently attending Pinecrest and we all love the preschool and after-care program. Their early literacy and developmental mathematics programs are excellent and our daughter has excelled in her language and skill development. She talks about her teachers and friends and all the adults in her school know her name and welcome her each day. We are very grateful to Pinecrest for giving our daughter such a wonderful first school experience that she'll take with her for life.
--Submitted by a parent

I am the daughter of the other review, and I LOVE this school. The teachers have great ideas for teaching us stuff, they are nice,and they have awesome programs.

Our son has been a student at Pinecrest School since first grade. We were looking for a school with excellent academics and small class sizes. Pinecrest has proved to be that school and more. Now a rising fourth grader, our son is flourishing academically and socially. His teachers are caring, nurturing and highly supportive. They use multiple instructional methods that cater to various learning styles. Because the class sizes are kept small, his teachers know our son well and are able to individualize their instruction to his best advantage. For example, Pinecrest's flexible math program has allowed him to jump ahead a grade in math, enabling him to work to full potential. In addition, he is excited to go to school every day. He also enjoys Pinecrest's many extracurricular activities and its summer camp, Pinecrest Pavilion. We are confident that our son is receiving an outstanding education at Pinecrest School.
--Submitted by a parent

Pinecrest has been life-changing for my child! My biggest regret is that I did not bypass the public kindergarten and go straight to Pinecrest. Pinecrest has a wonderful principal and a parent Board of Trustees. The teachers are committed, intelligent people. The school has a curriculum that logically builds upon itself from one year to the next. Pinecrest actually teaches grammar! They have vocabulary AND spelling! The school is able to accommodate different types of learners. Kids who are able may move up in math beyond grade level. Thanks to the small class sizes and the differentiated instruction, academics are advanced without the pressure. Much can be accomplished during the school day without all of the distractions. My child was overlooked and languishing in the public school. Now he is actively learning and excelling! I have no doubt that people hoping to qualify their kids for GT in 3rd grade would get the best foundation possible at Pinecrest. That being said, the nurturing environment would be difficult to give up.
--Submitted by a parent