When Gwen and Victor Riches moved to the rural community of Los Altos in 1955, they had no plans to start what would become an enduring institution like Pinewood School. Mrs. Riches dedicated herself to raising their five energetic children and managing their home at 327 Fremont Avenue, while Mr. Riches, a university professor, economist, and entrepreneur, engaged the family in various projects. One such project involved planting a thousand tiny pine tree seedlings. As these saplings grew, the family transplanted them around the property and shared them with neighbors. Today, many of those towering pines still stand along the borders of Pinewood School’s Middle Campus, the heart of where our story began.

The seeds of Pinewood were sown in 1959 when Victor embarked on an extended business trip to Australia. During his absence, Gwen channeled her creativity and energy into founding a "little school" for her children and their friends. Her approach, which focused on building confidence through public speaking and drama, quickly gained traction in the community. When Mr. Riches returned three months later, he discovered a lively group of 65 children engaged in singing, painting, acting, and dancing, all within the walls of their home.

Recognizing the need for a properly zoned location, Mr. Riches, who served on the Los Altos Planning Commission, swiftly moved the burgeoning school to a new site on State Street. During this formative time, Mrs. Riches identified a gap in her students' reading and writing abilities. Determined to find a solution, she adopted a phonetic-based language arts program, setting the stage for Pinewood’s academic excellence. By 1964, enrollment had soared to 350 students, prompting the Riches family to donate their home to the school to accommodate its growth.

Over the next decade, Pinewood thrived, expanding to include a junior high. In 1975, the Los Altos Hills campus was acquired, and a few years later, a new lower school was established on Fremont Avenue, close to where it all began.

Responding to the encouragement of parents and community members, the Riches family added a high school in 1981. Four years later, the pioneering class of 17 students became the first graduates of Pinewood High School. Today, Upper Campus is home to a thriving junior high and a respected college preparatory high school, enriched by a diverse array of extracurricular activities and a robust athletic program.

In 2007, Pinewood remodeled its Lower Campus, creating new buildings and outdoor areas that continue to nurture the close-knit community spirit Pinewood students have always cherished. In August 2016, our 3rd- through 6th-grade students moved into the newly renovated Middle Campus, situated at the very location where the Riches family home once stood, surrounded by those original pine trees.

Though Gwen and Vic Riches did not set out to create a school, Pinewood’s success is a testament to their creativity, dedication, and vision. Today, our journey continues, powered by the enthusiasm and energy of the Riches family, alongside our exceptional faculty, staff, alumni, and families. Pinewood remains a place where students embark on personal and academic journeys, thriving in a community rooted in meaningful relationships and a shared commitment to excellence.

A Legacy of Leadership

A Message from Scott Riches, President and Head of Pinewood School, and Grandson of Founders Gwen and Vic Riches

For as long as I can remember, Pinewood has been a part of my life. It all started with my grandmother’s vision, turning an after-school arts program into the school we cherish today. My own journey began here as a kindergartner and culminated in my graduation on the same stage where our students celebrate their achievements today. After college, I returned in 1996 as the school’s business and operations manager and became president in 2002. My three children, all Pinewood alums, have also thrived here, from their first days in kindergarten to their proud moments as graduates. Seeing how Pinewood prepared them—and so many others—for life beyond school is something I deeply value.

Witnessing transformations at Pinewood in myself, my children, and in our students over the years has been a privilege beyond measure.

Scott Riches
President and Head of Pinewood School

Pinewood’s strength is in its close-knit community. We’re a small but mighty school where every student’s journey is important, and everyone has the chance to grow and shine. Just as Pinewood shaped my life, it continues to enrich each student’s unique story.

Scott Riches
President and Head of Pinewood School