About Us
Welcome to Pinewood!
We are a thriving community of kind and well-rounded students, faculty, administration, alumni, parents, and friends. Please take a look around - we're glad you're here!
Admissions
We Would Love to Meet You
Visit any of our three campuses, and you will immediately sense the exuberance, kindness, and intelligence that our teachers and students inspire in each other every day. Together we create a transformative environment of high expectations, energetic self-expression, and warm encouragement. Quite simply, we love it here, and we believe you will too.
Academics
An Academic Culture of Growth
Through the five tenets of our founding philosophy — passionate expertise, confident self-expression, academic stamina, grounded core values, and supportive exploration — we instill curiosity, mastery, and independence.
Arts
Learning Through Expression
Students from kindergarten through 12th grade study drama, take part in plays and musicals, and learn a variety of increasingly complex visual arts techniques. The results speak volumes. Our students express themselves confidently, respectfully, and vividly, not only with their peers, but with adults. This ability gives them a huge advantage when they enter college—and for the rest of their lives.
Athletics
Exemplifying Excellence
At Pinewood, we believe that athletics contributes to the growth of each student's character. Our mission is to provide competitive opportunities that emphasize the lifelong values of sportsmanship, individual effort, teamwork, dedication, and integrity.
Student Life
Unlimited Exploration
Pinewood offers students numerous opportunities to explore their own diverse facets, known and unknown. No matter what endeavors our students choose to pursue, their experiences spark a journey of self-discovery that is never defined or restricted by labels. At Pinewood, you won’t find the usual stereotypes or clichés—just unlimited exploration.

K-6 Performing Arts

The arts hold a special place at Pinewood. Our founder, Gwen Riches, started Pinewood as an afterschool arts program. As her students learned to see their world from new angles—by performing, singing, and dancing on stage—their performance improved in all areas of their education.

Today, Gwen Riches’ philosophy shines through more vibrantly than ever. Students from kindergarten through twelfth grade study drama and take part in plays and musicals. The results speak volumes. Our students express themselves confidently, respectfully, and vividly, not only with their peers, but with adults. This ability gives them a huge advantage when they enter college—and for the rest of their lives.

Every K-6 student at Pinewood participates in a full-scale theatrical production each year.

The Pinewood Children's Choir

Experience the joy of singing with your classmates! The choir goes on field trips, shares the stage with the Upper Campus choirs, sings for retirement homes, performs at the Winter and Spring concerts, and ends the year with the Festival of Music at Great America!

Apply to Pinewood School

Upper Campus Performing Arts