Pinehurst K-8 School

Small and heart-felt, this school has taken great care of my daughter over 6 years and she loves all the experiential learning opportunities. The staff work hard and are creative about teaching to all kinds of minds and guiding kids to good chocies.
--Submitted by a parent

Because the school is so small, it is understaffed, and the staff at this school is not willing to work hard to see the needs of the students are met. No experiential learning, no alternative discipline.
--Submitted by a parent

Our son started 1st grade here this year and we have been very pleased. The school feels is small and all the classrooms are mixed grade. The community of students and teachers seems tight-knit. There is also much more critical recess and P.E. time for young kids than at other public schools. The school is an alternative school, and tends to appeal to those trying to escape the "teach to the test" mentality of the mainstream public schools. I have heard that the school's low test scores are due in large part to certain parents who object to the "teach to the test" focus so strongly that they keep their children home on test days. The school district counts their absence as a zero, which greatly pulls down the remaining students scores. Certainly the test scores reported on this site do not seem to reflect the academic rigor that I am seeing in the school's curriculum, or the passion of it's teachers. My son loves school and he is making rapid academic progress. Among the middle-school-aged kids there seems to be much excitement about their undefeated record this year in Ultimate Frisbee. And all the kids enjoy expert instruction in the use of school's climbing wall.
--Submitted by a parent

We have had two children attending Pinehurst K-8, and we are incredibly grateful for the creative approach to learning supported by the staff and community. Our children have been inspired to be intellectually courageous, caring, and confident learners. This school is a true gem which deserves a second look by those seeking an intimate public school with high academic standards, experiential learning, and a focus on compassion for others.
--Submitted by a parent

What I love about this school, in addition to the things other parents describe, is that when you enter the building, you see kids of all races playing and eating lunch together. This school really "gets" anti-racism. This is a great feature for everyone, but particularly important to me as the parent of a biracial child.
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughter loves learning! Pinehurst K-8's teacher's approach to education deserve much credit in providing strong academic standards coupled with nurturing our daughter's interests, in academics, athletics, and the arts.
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school - the children learn through interdisciplinary projects using multiple learning modes, not just sitting/lecturing/reading. Kids learn critical thinking early, get good exposure to environmental and social justice issues, and much of the staff has had Undoing Institutional Racism training.
--Submitted by a parent

This school provides a viable alternative to traditional public schools in the area. We are small with an engaged parent community and kids that truly care and are connected to their school community. Our kids ENJOY coming to school, their views are respected, their interests are nurtured, all kinds of minds are welcome! Our test scores reflect the fact that our teachers don't cater their classrooms towards improving test scores, but teach kids how to be lifelong learners-knowledge beyond a standardized test!
--Submitted by a parent

(Pinehurst) K-8, rate this school in Teacher Quality, friendliness, respect, and challenging academic programs. Strong prncipals and fairness.
--Submitted by a parent

This is the only public school I know of that really allows students to develop their passion for learning. Students have the freedom to pursue what interests them and they also are encouraged to be good community members. We also really appreciate the schools focus on social justice and experiential education.
--Submitted by a parent