For 55 years Pinecrest Schools has provided a quality education to the children of Southern California. Our school environment is designed above all to provide the highest quality academic education. We take great pride in our students' accomplishments as they go on from Pinecrest to excel at the high school, college, and graduate school level.

First we seek out the most qualified and most dedicated teachers and provide them with the most up-to-date teaching materials. We then give them the additional security of teaching in safe, attractive surroundings.

Second, we stress two important factors with our students that are too often ignored: discipline and homework. As Pinecrest provides the best for its students, it also expects the best from them. Strict adherence to decorum is part of the Pinecrest tradition. Behavioral problems will be handled immediately and parents will be notified as to their student's citizenship. Homework is given on a regular basis and may often require parental interaction.

Finally, we encourage character development by requiring old-fashioned values of hard work, honesty, good citizenship, and fundamental respect for others. We build self-esteem by frequent, positive reinforcement and by recognizing your child as he or she successfully meets each new challenge.

Toddler Program

A child's first school experience should be exciting. The Small Wonders Program is offered to children 18 to 36 months of age. The primary goal of this program is to create a safe and nurturing environment, which will encourage age learning and exploration. After children reach 30 months and are toilet trained, they may begin our preschool program.

Preschool

A happy experience will shape a child's expectations positively for future academics and social endeavors. Our preschool program is designed with the nurturing of your child in mind. Fundamental learning activities stimulate awareness and creativity, as well as gently prepare your child for a natural progression into kindergarten.

Our preschool is open year round, offering full or half day sessions two to five days a week. It is available to children as young as 2 1/2 years-old. Testing is not required. All students must be potty-trained, as determined by state licensing.

Junior Kindergarten

Recognizing that children progress at different speeds, Pinecrest has developed a curriculum designed for the 4 year-old child who is socially and mentally ready to move ahead of traditional preschool activities. The structured, comprehensive junior kindergarten program concentrates on reading readiness, writing, verbal skills, and mathematical skills. While stressing academics, this program still provides the warm, nurturing atmosphere Pinecrest has always been known for.

Kindergarten

Today's kindergarten student is ready and capable of learning. Therefore, Pinecrest offers a formal full day kindergarten program which includes reading, math, phonics, computers, social studies, science, physical education and music. Class size is limited and each program is individualized, to assure that all students receive personalized attention.

Teachers are warm and caring. They understand that the kindergarten child needs a consistent mixture of academics and playtime. Students enjoy their own classroom and playground areas, which are designed with the kindergarten students in mind. Each child receives the kind of academic and emotional support so vital to intellectual as well as personal growth. Our goal is to offer a solid academic foundation in a warm and nurturing environment.

Primary Grades

Primary grade instruction is the foundation of the learning process. In grades one through five, the curriculum becomes more structured, traveling beyond the basics to ensure your child a place in tomorrow's complex world.

Our programs are individualized at the classroom level and focused within class-member groupings, exposing the students to the positive benefits of peer interaction. Our reading programs are literature-based and all textbooks are certified as optimum instructional tools. Daily physical education courses provide your child with a healthy balance between mind and body.

Middle School

New challenges are in store for the sixth through eighth grade students. Building upon skills attained in the primary classroom, the Middle School program emphasizes literature, history, geography, scientific discoveries, and map studies. In addition, teachers pay close attention to teaching study skills and academic discipline - the kind of skills and discipline that will serve students in good stead as they continue their education. Students are encouraged to explore the challenges of elective studies, student government, and sports through our private school league.

It is during middle school that Pinecrest students begin to consolidate their academic foundation and exhibit the self-discipline and strong desire for learning that will carry them on to high school, college, and beyond.