Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Award-Winning Private School in Annandale, VA
Pinecrest School is a non-profit progressive private school in Northern Virginia, serving children ages 3-12 since 1957. Our educational philosophy emphasizes small class sizes, STEAM instruction, and hands-on learning to cultivate critical thinking and creativity. Accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools, we maintain a nurturing environment that prioritizes social-emotional growth and mindfulness.Our modern facilities and award-winning summer camp program provide dynamic spaces for academic and personal development. With over six decades of experience, we prepare students for lifelong learning through individualized instruction and a commitment to inclusivity.
Services
Preschool Programs
Kindergarten-Grade 6 Education
STEAM Curriculum
Mindfulness Programs
Summer Camp
Extended Day Care
After-School Activities
Early Childhood Education
Enrichment Classes
Accredited Private School
Details
- Year established: 1957
Highlights and features
- Small classes with maximum 15 students for K-6 and 10 for Early Childhood
- STEAM-focused curriculum with 5 weekly sessions for K-6 students
- 65+ years of experience in progressive education
- Fully accredited by NAIS and VAIS
- Award-winning summer camp program with hands-on learning
Associations and certifications
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
- Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS)
What people say
Creative approach
Hands on and interactive
Taught me to expect well of myself
Fallen back in love with school
Students engage with joy
Services
Preschool Programs
Pinecrest offers half-day preschool for 3-year-olds and half/full-day pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds. Programs emphasize fine/gross motor skills, speech development, and structured social learning. Classrooms feature books, games, and art supplies in a nurturing environment with daily recess and enrichment classes.
Kindergarten-Grade 6 Education
Full-day kindergarten through grade 6 with maximum 15 students per class. Curriculum includes core academics, STEAM (5 sessions/week), physical education, and mindfulness. Students participate in field trips and enrichment activities while developing critical thinking and collaborative skills in a progressive setting.
STEAM Curriculum
Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics instruction for K-6 students. Five weekly sessions combine hands-on projects with critical thinking development. Curriculum aligns with real-world problem-solving while incorporating arts for creative solutions in technology-driven education.
Summer Camp
Award-winning summer day camp for ages 4-12 with multi-age, hands-on classes. Features STEAM experiments, arts & crafts, nature discovery, and weekly special events. Campers enjoy indoor/outdoor activities designed to maintain educational engagement during summer months.
Extended Day Care
Before-care from 8:00-8:30 AM and after-care until 6:00 PM daily. Preschool after-care includes lunch and afternoon snack supervision. Full-day after-care provides structured activities and homework support for K-6 students in a safe, supervised environment.
People
Darren Holgate
Head of School
Darren Holgate has led Pinecrest School for three years, bringing extensive educational leadership experience. He oversees strategic operations while maintaining close community engagement with teachers, parents, and students.
Questions
Does Pinecrest require entrance exams for admission?
No entrance exams required. Admission decisions consider teacher recommendations, school records, and student assessments.
What are Pinecrest's class sizes?
Maximum 10 students for Early Childhood and 15 students for K-6 classes with one teacher.
Is Pinecrest a nut-free environment?
No, Pinecrest is not a nut-free environment but works closely with parents to manage allergies.
What enrichment programs are offered?
K-6 students receive STEAM (5x/week), PE (4x/week), Creative Movement, and Music. Preschoolers get PE, art, and music classes.
How does Pinecrest handle inclement weather?
Follows Fairfax County Public Schools' closure decisions. One-hour late start for partial delays.
What accreditation does Pinecrest hold?
Accredited by Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) and National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
Videos
Reviews (4)
Alison B.
Sep 14, 2021
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Pinecrest is an amazing school! We moved our daughter here for first grade last year as we wanted a smaller and safer environment during COVID. We love the whole child approach of the school and that in addition to traditional subjects, she spends time doing STEAM, yoga and mindfulness. The leadership at Pinecrest is phenomenal and we can always count on Ms. McDermott and the Board to be accessible, communicate frequently, and have the kids' best interest at heart. This year they've added a Creative Movement class that my now 2nd grader loves. The sense of community at Pinecrest is great
Joy M.
Apr 15, 2019
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Pinecrest is an incredible school with fantastic teachers and staff. My daughter is thriving here. It's not just the academics - it's how the school cares about each individual student. One morning, I was dropping my daughter off for before care and as we were walking in, one of the teachers (not my daughter's teacher) was also walking in. My daughter started running and told the teacher that she was racing her (even though my daughter had a head start). And without missing a beat, that teacher also started running. They then had a nice banter about my daughter's sparkly, special
Adam G.
Mar 13, 2019
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My wife and I landed on Pinecrest last summer as our then 3.5 year old son was having some difficulty in his current school. Our son has always been very active and enthusiastic, which wasn't really jiving with his current school's expectations that seemed a bit more monk-like. We knew there was nothing wrong with our kid, but it was obvious we needed to seek a different environment. We toured a few places, but we knew in the first 10 minutes that Pinecrest was the right place for him. The staff, teachers, and students just seemed so happy to be there. That last one was really key for
Belle
Sep 11, 2018
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As a parent of this school for many years, I can speak to the genuine hard work and dedication to the parents and volunteers who help make this a special place for the students. The motto, "This is Community" is more than just words. Whenever I have had a question or concern, I have always been able to talk to the Head of School for a calm and thoughtful dialogue about how we can address anything that might come up. She has earned my trust and respect, and every year I am confident to continue paying tuition for a truly special place for my children. Love of learning and the childrens' best interest
