Pinewood Preparatory School in Summerville

Posted: June 3, 2026

In our experience, the culture is one of high entitlement and low accountability. Academically, we understood the school to be a year ahead yet we did not find this to be the case, because as a new student, our older child had seen the first half of the years math work in our previous public school. We spent hours each night with our younger child studying/memorizing countless information on worksheets, etc. which took up a lot of family time in the evenings. The handbook related to bullying was not upheld in our older childs experience where an individual (one bully)/bullying scenario progressed to a group social/verbal bullying environment for my child. The school has the final say in what happened/your experience, and in our case, we never met (in person or over the phone) with the very top school administration, yet we were shockingly told that our claims of bullying were suddenly and shockingly deemed unfounded" when we asked for tuition reimbursement. This was a very disappointing and expensive endeavor. Our children are once again thriving now that we have pulled them from this haughty and elitist (albeit majority middle-class families) school environment.

Posted: June 3, 2026

Posted: November 18, 2025

My son attended Pinewood for 4+ years and after bullying not being taken seriously we decided to pull him from 3rd grade. My concerns, which were well documented in email to my sons teacher, were called "unfounded" by the head of school. After interviewing several other local schools, I also expressed my disappointment in the academics of Pinewood as I did not think they were advanced like they market to parents and prospective students. All of this feedback was largely ignored. Upon exiting the school, I was billed an additional $4k+ in compliance with the school's TRPP policy. This policy states I am not entitled to tuition being waived because the school can not afford it. I asked several times in which finally it was revealed that even though my son's seat would be filled by another student, I would still need to pay remaining tuition. So they will double charge for one student's spot and you will be out of luck should you decide you'd like to remove your child from the school for any reason (besides medical). The tuition is just no longer worth what you get at this school. The Pinewood we fell in love with from PK4 and Kindergarten is a thing of the past and I would strongly urge anyone to reconsider attending this school. My emails with the head of school were met with one line replies where he ignored most of what I had to say and questions I had. Getting your money is their #1 concern and I am just glad we left when we did. If I am willing to pay over $4,000 to a school my child no longer attends just to get him out of there, that should tell you something.

Posted: November 18, 2025

Posted: October 2, 2025

I wish I had spent more time understanding the expectations and teaching models/structure of this school. Outdated understandings of child development and unrealistic expectations is putting it mildly. In addition, theres little collaboration with parents and rather dictation as to what they will put up with. When recommendations from treatment providers are ignored and discounted Or how about when your feedback is shut downits clear this is not a good school. Giving you an example of what you are in for if your child attends this school - I was told sorry we will only tell you when something goes wrong or when weve implemented a new approach after expressing my concern to the headmaster that parents are not included/made aware of practice lock downs. For a child under age 10, this is new and scary. Involving parents in the process is what makes the school safe, not hiring a former police Officer as your head of security. To not understand how including a parent in this process is just one of many examples of how this school has lots to learn about child development.

Posted: October 2, 2025

Posted: October 26, 2024

My child attended this school. I was fascinated by how this school provided only to those not in need of academic accommodations (which private schools can do), yet had a school psychologist and access in co-op form to public school system (that I had to research on my own). After much money spent, and my ability to advocate for my child, they were able to get their academic needs met in a public setting. Thankfully, they are so much happier now. If your kid has no academic barriers such as learning disorders, ADHD, etc. Im sure this school would work for them.

Posted: October 26, 2024

Posted: December 12, 2023

The best school in South Carolina most definitely

Posted: December 12, 2023

Posted: March 8, 2023

Have a daughter here for the past 3 years and the difference was immediately noticeable. Her academics went up, her ADD was discussed and supported and any mental health issues were addressed with compassion and help. Bullying and violence is 100% not accepted here, and perhaps addresses the "retention rate" comment below. Principal is exceptional with his communication and transparency and teachers I've found to be helpful and accommodating, but tough when needed. Yes, maybe kids with delays and disabilities will not do well here as they simply don't have the resources that public schools have. I have a younger daughter who is delayed and didn't get in, which is fine, she would not have received the help she needs there. I would rather that than she was accepted for the money.
Very happy here.

Posted: March 8, 2023

Posted: November 22, 2022

Both of our boys started school this year at Pinewood. I can not say enough about the school, its teachers and leadership. They are wonderful. Our children have a love of learning they did not have before. They get up everyday excited to attend Pinewood. It is a way of life, not just a school. Anyone who is considering this school should definitely make the jump. You will not regret it.

Posted: November 22, 2022

Posted: January 7, 2022

Pinewood has been exceptional for us. Our daughter has been attending Pinewood for 11 years now. In K-5 she had trouble with simple Phonics. The teacher picked up on it and sent her to a special readying/phonics class and within a couple months had her back on track. Whenever she hits a roadblock in other subjects she communicates with the teachers and they always make time for her either before class or after school. The school puts a ton of emphasis on character - it's wonderful to see the children acting in a mature way and value model behavior. There are ample opportunities for the kids to be in leadership positions or be engaged. We've always loved the small learning environment and how Pinewood feels like family. We are certain our daughter is going to be ready for college and to face the world when she spreads those wings.

Posted: January 26, 2021

We put our grandson who is 5 yrs old in this school thinking it would be a great way to start out his education ..WRONG... they definitely have not tolerance and definitely dont work with you on problem solving if something is going on.. I have never heard of suspending a 5 year old from any school if they are acting out.. never got the guidance involved.. definitely wood never direct anyone to that school. No matter what school a child goes to there is only one Perfect person and his name is GOD.

Posted: January 26, 2021

Posted: October 23, 2020

My son struggled at Dubose, we yanked him from that over crowded school (35 kids per class) . He is excelling at Pinewood. A/B student. They teach effectively and clearly. I appreciate the thoroughness of the communication and information the school and teachers including the headmaster give to the parents.

Posted: March 13, 2018

Pinewood teachers engage the parents and the students. If a child isn't getting their work done or is disruptive or just looks lost, the teacher will communicate with parents. If a parent asks a question via e-mail, the teacher will usually respond the same day. The staff understands that tuition is expensive and we can easily take our money elsewhere next year, so they try to make sure we get our money's worth. If a child is struggling, the teachers make themselves available after school, and some tutor during Summer to prepare students for the next year (if the parents so desire). For some, myself included, the tuition might mean foregoing building that hot rod or putting a fancy deck on your house, but if the child is mentally prepared for college, it's all worth it.

Posted: November 24, 2017

The school is very small and if you try to ask a question or email a teacher they will reply to you copying five or six other people including guidance and sometimes the principal making you feel extremely uncomfortable and pretty much ending any communication for the future. Very small group of teachers with small classes yet they are constantly sending home notes that your student was talking in class. One student even had to have his desk facing the window. You would think they could control ten or 12 students. 9th grades are told to stop "being Freshman" if they do things like stretch in class. A few of the teachers constantly talk about politics which I felt was not appropriate. Guidance will select certain students and check their grades daily and pull them aside daily to ask questions and set academic demands. Many of the teachers have students at the school so my daughter always felt like she couldn't be herself and ultimately is what ended our time at the school. Also there is zero diversity in this school. There was some students from China but they were recently expelled. It takes a certain student to excel at this school. Just be aware of this because it is a huge commitment.

Posted: October 28, 2017

From our three year experience, we would say that your child must be a serious, focused A student or they will be unhappy here. Teachers will not put up with big personalities and will do what they can to suppress. There is no diversity. The sports are continually rebuilding because there is a big turnover at this school. Again, if your student works well in a very small structured setting they will do well here. They will have the same teachers throughout their years with many AP courses available.

Posted: May 8, 2017

Limited access to robust arts programs and technology. Not enough students or money to keep pace with the demands of today's society. Local public schools are far outpacing this school in those areas.

Posted: January 20, 2017

Before you register inquire about student retention.

Posted: November 6, 2011

Our child has attended this school through lower and middle school. We have found the teachers to be very supportive and always willing to go the extra mile for whatever is needed to help her be successful. Administration always has an open door and willing to talk to us at any time. Our child has been allowed to explore many extra-curriculars during the middle school enrichment period, such as arts, clubs, and sports during the school day. The middle school enrichment period is a very unique program! Our child has always felt safe at school which could not be said at other local middle schools. I could not ask for a better experience for my child.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Summerville Place	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Summerville	SC	6 mi
2	Summerville Place	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Ladson	SC	6.3 mi
3	Tranquil Acres	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Ladson	SC	6.4 mi
4	Wescott Plantation	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Summerville	SC	7 mi
5	Cane Bay Plantation	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Summerville	SC	10 mi
6	Coventry Green	Apartment Complex	Goose Creek	SC	10.4 mi
7	Indigo Fields	Neighborhood/Subdivision	North Charleston	SC	10.7 mi
8	Longleaf	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Goose Creek	SC	13.3 mi
9	Brickhope Plantation	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Goose Creek	SC	13.4 mi
10	St James Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Goose Creek	SC	13.8 mi
11	Ibis Glade in Tanner Plantation	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Hanahan	SC	13.9 mi
12	Village Green	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Charleston	SC	14.4 mi
13	Mt Pleasant	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Mount Pleasant	SC	27 mi
14	Royal Pines	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Beaufort	SC	45.4 mi
15	Pleasant Point Plantation	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Beaufort	SC	45.5 mi
16	Cottage Farm	Area of Town	Beaufort	SC	49.3 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Downtown	Summerville	SC	3.7 mi
2	Summerville, SC	Summerville	SC	3.7 mi
3	West Ashley	Charleston	SC	17.4 mi
4	Naval Weapons Station Charleston	Goose Creek	SC	17.9 mi
5	Mount Pleasant	Mount Pleasant	SC	26.9 mi
6	Lady's Island	Lady's Island	SC	45.2 mi

Base	Distance
Charleston Naval Weapons Station	12.8 mi.
Charleston AFB	14.1 mi.
Coast Guard Charleston	23.9 mi.
Beaufort MCAS	46.7 mi.

Pinewood Preparatory School

Summerville, SC 29483

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Pinewood Preparatory School

Summerville, SC 29483

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