Welcome to Pinecrest Woodland Hills

Congratulations on your selection of Pinecrest Woodland Hills to oversee your child’s education. We are a private school, fully accredited by the National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA). As a private institution, we have the freedom to determine our own direction and maintain our own rigorous standards, while at the same time meeting—and, in most cases, exceeding—the academic guidelines set forth by the California Department of Education.

Who's Who?

The Teachers not only work with your child in the classroom, they serve children’s best interests throughout the school. Teachers serve as your first contact with the school, and they are in the best position to help with any issues that may arise. Their ideal is to work with you as partners, and to foster the most productive relationship, we ask that you speak first with your child’s teacher about any concerns you may have. Teachers want you to keep in touch; just telephone in advance to set a convenient time for a conference.

The Campus Director, Betty Monello, is the individual responsible for the school’s overall welfare and the education of your child; for delivering a curriculum that carries out the school’s founding vision; for seeing that the plant and facilities support the program; for overseeing the school’s fundraising activities; for working with the Board of Directors to plan for the future; and for serving as the school’s formal ambassador to the outside world.

The Principal, Justine Granas, serves the needs of the children in the elementary grades. She assists the director at school functions; conducts the intake process for incoming students; and interacts with students, teachers and parents on a variety of issues. She promotes Pinecrest School throughout the community.

Because you have selected a private school to meet the unique needs of your child, the final responsibility for seeing that your school stays on course, furthering the direction and mission originally set by the school’s founder, rests with the Board of Directors. In private schools, proven educational principles, not popular opinion or the latest educational fads, dictate this direction. The Board members are responsible for keeping their eyes on the “big picture;” they leave the school’s daily operation to the Campus Director.

Our school community also includes many Support Staff members in the areas of student registration; attendance and accounting; administrative assistance; health care services; extended-care programs; and other areas. For more information on “Whom to Call,” see our September newsletter, The Pinecone, for a complete Staff Directory.