Pine Cobble School

163 Gale Road

Williamstown, MA 01267

11 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-9
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 18, 2023

The rankings I provided were based on our Children's experience pre-2023.Has it occurred to anyone that the Reviews for this School are from 2012 to 2019 roughly when the past Head of School was there -- since then the Head of School who succeeded them was fired within 8 months of their arrival and an interim Head of School was installed this year who apparently did not accept the position after multiple initial requests and finally succumbed. No search for a new Head is being communicated.We are watching the demise of a once wonderful school for children due to misguided and indulgent Board Leadership - their Lack of Vision and not longer staying true to the unique and separate path Pine Cobble School has walked fearlessly for so many years. How many students have left or not returned this year? How many good teachers have decided they can no longer stay and have then left. Who is actually suffering as a result?The children - past, current and future.Attitude reflects Leadership and Leadership ultimately comes from the Board President and the Head of the School.Something needs to change and those on the Board should resign and begin anew with people who possess a belief and passion for educating our young people and do in fact love Pine Cobble School for what it has been, was and can always be.There is a story here which hopefully is pursued by many among us who seek the truth to keep this from happening.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2019

My child has thoroughly enjoyed her last three years at Pine Cobble, and we can't wait for another fun year to start soon. She has had innovative teachers who have helped her build skills and confidence in math, spelling, music and art. She also loves having two recesses everyday to enjoy her friends and the gaga ball court!
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2018

We had two kids at pine cobble for a total of 6 years. They received a pretty decent education-with a class size of 13 it should have been superb!! In a world that not only embraces learning differences but one in which educators are taught how to teach the wide spectrum of learning types Pine Cobble falls behind. After we left one of my kids relayed several instances of bullying that chronically went unaddressed by faculty and staff. The children whose parents worked there were favored as well as those whose parents donated to the school. I often wondered why several teachers were not licensed but quickly realized this was part of the Pine Cobble clique. I hope other families are in a position to make a completely informed decision about their school choice.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2013

Pine Cobble has rigorous academics particularly at the middle school years. My children are reading challenging literature, writing extensively across the curriculum and their math instruction is superb. Every 8th grader takes Algebra 1 and the emphasis on problem solving AND math facts is admirable. All students in fourth grade and up take a foreign language, and many take two. And the work they do -- both in the field, in a lab and in the classroom -- in science represents a truly 21st century education. While Pine Cobble is well known for its idyllic campus and wonderful and supportive community, the attention to personalized instruction and extremely challenging academics has emerged as the true strength of the program. The longer school day allows for daily sports in addition to the strong academic program.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2012

Pine Cobble School was there for me in the 1970's when a previously insufficient education had left me academically adrift. Two crucial years of the school launched me into an upward spiral of academic strength that changed the course of my life. Forty years later, I see the same thing happening with my daughters. The Pine Cobble "tune up" they have received in the upper grades has allowed them to engage at an educational level we previously had not considered possible. Although it stays with the times, Pine Cobble has a depth and tradition of excellence that nurtures the piercing, complex and nuanced kind of thinking our children will need in this fast-changing world.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2012

What a wonderful school! Our son had been in two different public schools before we moved him to Pine Cobble - one in New Jersey and the other in Williamstown. Both public schools are as good as a public school can be. Yet our son was bored, not challenged, and was disliking school more and more as time went on. His boredom led to minor behavior problems and to being easily distracted. In turn, this led to teachers asking about attention deficit disorder and other learning disabilities. So we ant through extensive testing that showed that he did not have any kind of attention or learning disorder. Instead, it showed that he needed to be challenged by a flexible approach to teaching. This was beyond what the public school could offer. When we finally made the switch to PC in the middle of 5th grade, the change for the positive was immediate. is is a GREAT school with dedicated, creative teachers. Our son loves this place. He is happy and is thriving -- at last! As for bullies mentioned in another comment, I know that bullying is simply not tolerated. The school is very strong on promoting values, including respect for others.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2012

We moved our daughters to the upper school from a small independent school and the transition couldn't have been more perfect. Both have had outstanding experiences during what can be a difficult transition time for girls. Not only is the community thoughtful and supportive, but also the academics are superior in all ways to the local alternatives, especially in history, English and math. One of the most important thing that they have learned is how to learn; the school's ability to help my girls get and stay organized and on top of their work is to be commended. Another important thing that is constantly reinforced is the importance of being a good member of the community; it is so good to know that these messages we parents try to give our kids are being reinforced in the school environment. These are critically important skills for high school and beyond! In short, the standards all around are nothing short of excellent on all levels and it is without doubt the best option in this area.
Submitted by other on February 01, 2012

I was a student at Pine Cobble School for six years. It taught me how to become a more independent learner and confident student. I made great friends, which I still keep in contact with today. If I lived in the Williamstown area, I wouldn't hesitate to send my kids there. I loved Pine Cobble!!!!
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2011

Nightmare!! We thought we were doing right by our child in starting out kindergarten at Pine Cobble. Only later did we learn that private schools are not subject to credentialling standards that public school teachers must meet. When our kid ran afoul of a playground bully whose parents were high-profile contributors to the school's endowment, the faculty's allegiance was crystal clear. Moved our kid to public school, and we had a happier, more confident child in a matter of weeks. So, I suppose we did learn something from Pine Cobble after all.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2009

N/A
Submitted by other on February 03, 2008

N/A