Welcome to Pinewood!
Dear Future Pinewood Family,
Welcome to Pinewood School! As the President and Head of Pinewood, I oversee our three campuses of students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Having worked here since 1996, as a Pinewood alum, and as the father of three Pinewood graduates, this school is my community.
Pinewood’s strength lies not just in educational outcomes but in the journey students take to achieve them. Our close-knit atmosphere, small class sizes, personalized attention, and deep care for each student define our culture.
In the 1950s, my grandmother, Gwen, began an after-school program in her home, focusing on the performing arts. As students improved their communication skills and gained confidence, parents noticed them improving in academics, sports, and overall resilience. This success story laid the foundation for Pinewood. My grandmother’s legacy of nurturing confidence and communication skills remains central to our approach, preparing students to contribute and lead — now and in the future.
Our graduates are well-prepared for higher education and beyond. They confidently engage with professors, lead among peers, serve their communities, and embrace new opportunities. Pinewood instills these values and skills, fostering both academic excellence and personal development.
Thank you for considering Pinewood School. We look forward to welcoming you into our community.
Ad
astra,
Scott Riches President and Head of Pinewood School
WATCH OUR WELCOME VIDEO
Our Students Shine
Pinewood develops wellrounded students through balanced academics, diverse extracurriculars, and socialemotional learning. Pinewood students shine from the inside out, ready to lead and contribute in all areas of life.
One Subject, One Teacher
All Pinewood teachers are deeply knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. By focusing on one specific subject, our teachers create an engaging and enriching learning experience for every student.
Pinewood students thrive in a supportive environment. Guided by dedicated teachers and supportive peers, they engage in a robust curriculum that fosters growth and meaningful connections.
THE PINEWOOD PROMISE
Our Mission
Pinewood students seek knowledge, demonstrate character, build confidence, and experience joy in an uplifting community.
Our mission comes to life through our WISCRs, the core qualities our students develop throughout their K-12 journey.
Pinewood Students Are...
Well-Rounded
Insightful & Critical Thinkers
Self-Motivated
Clear Communicators
Respectful Individuals of Character
Pinewood Students Are...
Insightful and Critical Thinkers
Our students develop solutions to complex problems through exploration, critical analysis, and application of knowledge.
Our students take initiative to contribute and lead among their peers and in their community.
Self-Motivated
Pinewood Students Are...
Clear Communicators
Our students develop the skills they need to present, communicate, and connect.
Our robust language arts curriculum helps students become excellent written communicators.
Across all subjects, students are encouraged to collaborate and present, strengthening their verbal communication skills.
Each year, every student in every grade takes part in a class play, building confidence and presence.
Respectful Individuals of Character
Our students show honesty and fairness, respecting what makes each person unique and working to solve problems with kindness and care.
Both of our children were encouraged to seek opportunities outside their comfort zones, and those experiences have become formative for them as young adults.
Carrie Chatterjee Pinewood Parent
Sports & Play
Pinewood students enjoy daily physical activity that emphasizes movement, play, and teamwork. Starting in 4th grade, they can join after-school sports, with 6th graders leading intramural games for younger students. Sports at Pinewood build skills, character, and a strong sense of community.
6th graders lead intramurals at Middle Campus
After-school sports foster skills and growth
Daily play builds teamwork and character
Computer Science & Engineering
Early Immersion
Starting in kindergarten, students are introduced to programming, robotics, and cross-curricular projects.
Progressive Curriculum
We build from block-based platforms to textbased programming and advanced tools like CAD and 3D-printing.
Innovation & Collaboration
An emphasis on project-based learning fosters creativity and teamwork, preparing students for future challenges.
Pinewood Educators Are...
Our teachers are not only knowledgeable and passionate, but also deeply committed to their students’ well-being and growth. They are the key to the everyday magic of Pinewood, fostering a nurturing environment where students are empowered to reach their fullest potential.
WELCOMING
Pinewood educators value everyone’s unique experiences and perspectives, promoting an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves
INSPIRING
Pinewood educators foster a culture of learning by sharing their specialized knowledge and passion, sparking curiosity in students and encouraging them to embrace new challenges.
STUDENT-CENTERED
Pinewood educators prioritize each individual student’s growth, believing strongly in their unlimited potential.
Investing in Our Teachers = Investing in Our Students
We know that great teachers inspire exceptional students. That’s why we invest in our teachers’ professional development by financially supporting their participation in conferences, workshops, and classes every year. This commitment ensures our educators continue to grow and excel in their fields. By providing these opportunities, we directly enhance our students’ educational journeys, helping them grow into kind, well-rounded individuals ready to make a positive impact on the world.
Giving children the opportunities to try things that they may have never considered trying... and having the faculty who know their craft and who love and understand children? That combination is the magic of Pinewood!
Sarah Haun Pinewood Parent & Administrator
COMMUNITY-FOCUSED
Pinewood educators build meaningful relationships with colleagues, students, and families, creating a supportive community
ROLE MODELS
Pinewood educators live by our values— compassion, joy, purpose, belonging, upliftment, respect—acting as role models as they guide students to become confident individuals of character.
A Pinewood Education: Growing
Every Day
From their first day of kindergarten, children at Pinewood embark on an exciting journey, moving from classroom to classroom, discovering the joy of learning with teachers who are passionate and deeply knowledgeable about their subjects. Our relationship-focused environment values both student-teacher and student-student connections, creating a supportive community where everyone grows together. Our small class sizes ensure that teachers can connect with each student individually, fostering a nurturing and personalized learning experience.
Kindergarten
Spanish 3x per week
daily art
daily P.E.
cross-curricular CS&E
holiday singing performances
1st – 2nd Grade
daily Spanish
art 2x per week
choral & music concerts daily P.E.
cross-curricular CS&E annual class play
Kindergarten
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
Language Arts and Math
16 Average Class Size Science, History, Spanish, Art, Music, P.E.
1st – 6th Grade
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
20 Average Class Size
3rd – 6th Grade
choral & music concerts daily P.E.
local servicelearning project
cross-curricular CS&E
annual class play opportunities for student leadership
Social-Emotional Learning
Social-emotional learning is an essential part of the Pinewood experience, helping students develop emotional awareness and strong relationship skills. Our SEL programs support students as they build selfawareness and navigate challenges with confidence. These practices play a key role in guiding students’ academic and personal growth.
www.pinewood.edu
@ourpinewood
LOWER CAMPUS
477 Fremont Avenue
Los Altos, CA 94024
MIDDLE CAMPUS
327 Fremont Avenue Los Altos, CA 94024
UPPER CAMPUS
26800 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
ACTIVITIES CENTER
3750 Fabian Way Palo Alto, CA 94303
We are just so grateful. We were looking for a school that was academically strong. We were looking for a school that really focused on the whole child and on the socialemotional. We looked at many options, and we’re so glad we found Pinewood.
Supriya Gujral Pinewood Parent