Pinewood Elementary School

1925 North Main Street

School District

Gaston County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Gaston County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on May 14, 2024

The score 9/10 is only because pressure is placed on the teachers and students to provide high test scores. The school is a toxic environment for teachers and students. There are some slivers of positive aspects of the school but everything trickles down from poor leadership which is the current principal. The teachers and students feed off the negative energy that the principal exudes. She treats the students like they are mini adults instead of children. She needs retraining. The teachers perform poorly due to the stress they feel from principal. If your child goes here…. Stay involved. Ask questions and ask principal what she did about a situation that you went to her about. Often she does not follow up and gaslights. She has more of an authority type leadership. Definitely not well suited for middle school. One time she said “ you are an embarrassment” to a child. Not appropriate to say.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2021

From day one our daughter has had nothing but great things to say about this school.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2018

This was my child’s first year and it was a positive experience.
Submitted by other on October 29, 2016

This school is horrible. Over half of the kids are not on reading level yet they continue to push them through the system to next grade. Every since Principal Barr left, the school has gone downhill. The new Principal is horrible. She does not know how to deal with children at all. Students are not learning in the classroom. Most of my sons work is done at home! What are they doing in class???? The teacher communication is terrible, with the exception of a couple teachers. Mrs. Wingate. The teacher turnover ratio is really bad.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2014

I have nothing, but positive things to say about Pinewood. Principal Barr is amazing! Communication with parents, from Mr. Barr and teachers, is top notch. When I have concerns or questions, they are answered the same day. I am confident my son is not only getting a great education in the classroom, but he is involved in after school clubs (LEGO, Dance, Chess and Checkers club are just a few examples), and enjoys Art, Multi-media, music, and computer classes. The PTA is very active. There are smart boards and computers in every classroom and no trailers! The on-site afterschool program is also very convenient - homework is completed and he doesn't have to take a shuttle bus to a different location.
Submitted by parent on November 24, 2014

Jacob Barr, the principal, makes this place. He opens the doors for every child on the first day in a suit and tie, greets every parent he chances by with eye contact and a smile throughout the year. Every week we get a phone message detailing the coming week, supplemented by an email that allows for easy calendar entry of all important events. My son is in 1st grade and has Mrs. Mullins. She is also a bright spot for us. She sends weekly reminder emails and was very gracious when I came in last month to do an activity with the children in her class. The school avidly seeks volunteers and allows for a lot of parental contact with the students. I had my son in private school for his first two years (TK and Kindergarten) and was apprehensive about the switch to public. So far things have been great- and I feel that the lunch served here is even better than the fast food and take out served at the private school. I am only giving four stars because he hasn't yet finished this year- I will review again at the end of this year -hopefully with a five! :)
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2014

We love Pinewood the faculty and staff are always so welcoming and always there for any concerns. My son Ayden had Mrs. Helms & Mrs. Dodge for Kindergarten such wonderful teachers!
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2014

The teachers are excellent. The Principal does an amazing job, friendly, helpful, and informed. There are many clubs and after school activities available for children to get involved in. The ONLY reason that our family is transferring to the charter school is the Vice Principal. If I could rate her on this chart, she would actually be negative stars. She is rude, condescending, and does not handle stressful situations well. On multiple occasions she has raised her voice at me as if I were a student, simply because I was asking questions regarding the safety of my children. I am a soft spoken/passive person, so there was never a cause for her to lash out. My children are not disruptive and have never been sent to the office, this is not written by the hands of a parent on the defense. Pinewood could improve the overall happiness of the staff and student body by training the Vice Principal to talk to all people in a polite manner, to be kind, apologize occasionally, answer questions without making people feel as if they are wasting her time, and treat the wonderful staff well. If her character is not changed, the best teachers will phase out, as well as many of the students.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2012

My daughter is attending Kindergarden at Pinewood, she is yet to come home with something that she actually learned at school! I am basically sendingher there to socialize, all her formal education is done at home. I don't know what they do for 6 hours a day!!!!other than badgering me with fundraising! not a single week goes by without them asking us for money, hey, hey, a little more focus on ACTUALLY teaching!!!! you don't need extraordinary measures to teach kids to read and write. I am looking into other schools possibly a charter school,Pinewood is a joke, how can a teacher, an educator send e-mails with tons of grammatical mistakes?? have you heard of spell check!! I am so indignant I could burst!!!
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2010

I am 39 years old and attended Pinewood when i was in Kindergarten...My daughter now goes to Pinewood and is doing excellent....Next year my 4 year old will attend K there also,....She's so excited...and my oldest child loves school and can't wait to get there everyday...Thank u for doing a great job
Submitted by student on September 04, 2007

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