Pinecrest Woodland Hills School in Burbank, California

“This is my daughters second year at Pinecrest Preschool. It's an amazing school, from the loving and nurturing teachers, to the director Fran Knowles and her staff, they are all wonderful. I couldn't be happier. My child couldn't be happier. She loves her teachers, they are amazing.... bright, energetic, compassionate, enthusiastic about teaching and very dedicated. You can tell they love what they do. My daughter looks forward to going to school every single day. We started at Pinecrest after Kindercare in Calabasas closed. I was a little hesitate at first, because I had heard that Pinecrest was a very academic preschool, and I still wanted her to have fun with art, music, dance and other fun stuff. Well this school has it all. It has been such a blessing for her here, she comes home with new art projects everyday, and the holiday show was fantastic. She have learned so much here, and are more that prepared for kindergarten. I can only hope that she will always love school this much. Thank you to all of you at Pinecrest for making my daughters first experience with school such a wonderful experience.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am very happy with the curriculum and well-rounded education that my daughter is receiving here. We came from a 9 rated LAUSD school in the SAS program and started here at Pinecrest with the 4th grade. The style of teaching and classroom environment that the students are exposed to really motivates them and keeps them involved--working individually and in groups. What I really love is that I don't have to worry about her when I am at work, because I know she is in good hands obtaining a top notch education and involved in ballet/jazz/drill team (they have great activities/programs). The teachers, staff and the principal are very approachable for parents and the students. I am a Pinecrest Woodland Hills fan all the way! YC”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I love the teachers my son has for Pre-K. The school and his teachers push strong academics but also allow the kids to participate in fun activities. There are all types of art and music programs and the parents are very involved.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son is in the middle school, honors classes, and we are so pleased with everything about this school. He's being academically challenged in a safe environment where he has excelled. In regard to the cost, we looked at quite a few $20k per year schools, and I know we are getting a ton of bang for our buck here. A++.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school. After looking into other similar schools in the area I believe this school offers quality academic programs. They are very academically challenging and the kids love it. They also provide a well rounded program with PE, art, spanish,computers, etc. They also offer after and during school extracurricular activities. I have not been discouraged to get involved and quite the contrary, every time I have offered to help or participate I have been encouraged. They market themselves to working families therefore they provide a school that provides everything without needing parents involvement, they don't hound your or make you feel bad if you can't be involved.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Very traditional, 1950's educational methods - drill, drill, drill. Several teachers yell at the students on a regular basis. Several things are very telling about this school's philosophy: there's no parent association (just this year they started a booster club to raise money)- parent involvement is discouraged. I don't feel my son receives a well-rounded education here. Extracurricular programs are overrated. They changed the cafeteria offerings this year to make them more nutritional, which is great, but they still have a soda machine.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son transferred to Pinecrest from another pre-K school in Sherman Oaks. Each classroom typically has two teachers. The school is very structured and frown upon your child coming from a 'daycare' environment. Their style of teaching isn't developmental or explorative. I believe they focus on accelerated academics for advanced placement of their students, whether they continue there or go elsewhere. They are a bit pricey. Safety wise, they take extreme precautions with your child.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great teachers! Lot's of extra curriculum, homework, and projects.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Wonderful school, lots of activities, caring teachers”
This review was posted by a parent.

“No matter what the subject - math, language arts, science, geography - the schoolwork is all worksheets. Creativity, independent thinking, problem solving, and hands on learning are all absent from the curriculum. I call this the 'Stepford School.' Parent involvement is discouraged and there is no parent association. One positive thing about this school is that if you're a working parent, they're open from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm and they have childcare for winter break and spring break, so the school is almost never closed.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Excellent academic programs. My son is in pre-school and can already read basic words. Excellent and caring teaches. Very good after school program. What else can I say?”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My 5 year old started last September in junior K, this is the first school that from the first day of attendance my child did not cry. Academicly I would recomended, no complains at all.”
This review was posted by a parent.