Why Choose Private School for Your Child?

As parents, we want the very best education possible for our children so that they are positioned for success in life. You may have considered private school before but aren’t exactly sure what the benefits are or why you should even pay for education.

Here are eight benefits to choosing private Catholic school, Pinecrest Academy, for your children.

1) Small Class Sizes

Pinecrest offers small class sizes that provide individualized instruction and attention. Learning difficulties or styles can be recognized more quickly, along with struggles in understanding content. Teachers and administrators create an environment that encourages not only learning, but teamwork between the teacher, student, and parent. Our students don’t get lost in the crowd. Teachers, coaches, and administrators know and love our students.

2) Dedicated Teachers

The staff of dedicated teachers see their role at Pinecrest as a vocation and not just a job. Each one believes they have been called to our mission of forming Christian leaders who will transform society. Our teachers are qualified and passionate about their subjects. Over 50% of faculty hold advanced degrees. Teachers serve as role models, readily available to provide extra help or to further challenge students.

3) Parent Involvement and a Family Environment

Since the school’s founding in 1993, the faculty, staff, parents, and students have dedicated themselves to creating a true family environment. When school feels more like a community, students can feel safer, more comfortable, and more passionate about learning. Families become an integral part of their child’s education at Pinecrest. This helps to strengthen parent-child relationships while forming friendships that last beyond graduation.

4) Religious Teaching

Pinecrest is blessed to have an active and fully staffed campus ministry department that includes a full-time Formation Coordinator, four priests who serve as Chaplains for Lower, Middle and High Schools, and three consecrated women. (Consecrated women are lay women consecrated to God who respond to His invitation of love through poverty, chastity, and obedience. They dedicate themselves to the work of evangelization. They live fraternal life in international communities.) Through spiritual formation, we assist students in growing in their personal friendship with Christ. Pinecrest offers Masses, class retreats, the sacraments, and three chapels on campus.

5) High Standard of Conduct

We work with our students on formative discipline - teaching students respect for themselves, each other, their teachers, and all with whom they interact. Students wear uniforms, putting everyone on the same level, which allows them to focus on their studies. Peer pressure is reduced because fewer negative influences surround students while they receive character formation in and outside of the classroom. Values taught between teachers, students, and peers reflect the values of the family. Because there is less conflict overall, we have more joyful kids.

6) Safety

We have high standards for discipline and respect. Lower staff-to-student ratios allow for more effective observation and control of classrooms and our school grounds. The strong sense of community also discourages dangerous behavior. Student safety is a top priority at Pinecrest, and every faculty and staff member is committed to the protection of each and every child we serve. Learn more about the ways we keep our students safe at Pinecrest HERE.

7) A Balanced Program

We instill a love for learning, foster a deep and genuine friendship with Christ, and assist students in achieving virtue and maturity, while forming a compassionate heart. Through AP courses, Honors classes, a Learning Resource Center, school-sponsored extracurricular activities, athletics, and volunteer opportunities, we focus on the student as a whole via the educational philosophy we call Integral Formation® - the harmonious development of all dimensions of the human person. These types of opportunities often mean that our students score higher on standardized tests and are more likely to get into the college of their choice.

8) High Graduation Rate

We are able to maintain low counselor-to-student ratios. High School counselors offer college-focused advice and support, from help with college essays to working on ways to strengthen a high school resume. Pinecrest has maintained a graduation rate of 100% since the first graduating class of 2007. Your child will have a significant advantage of graduating from Pinecrest Academy, as they will be surrounded by peers who also aspire to graduate.

All parents want their children to succeed in life. Enrolling them in the right school is key to making this happen. There are many considerations when searching for the right educational experience for your child.

Are you concerned about the cost of private school? Even if there are excellent schools close by, consider your child and these questions:

Will he survive being just a number or thrive with more personalized attention?

Will she receive the same level of love and guidance the teacher of a smaller classroom can provide?

Will your student develop a love of learning, respect for those around him, and a relationship with Christ?

Can her confidence and self-esteem be developed to enable her to become the leader she is called to be?

Will she be motivated to pursue higher education after high school?

If you are re-evaluating your child’s educational options, consider the life-long benefits of a private school.