Pinewood Preparatory School

Pinewood Preparatory School is an independent, college preparatory school located in beautiful Summerville, S.C., a short drive from historic Charleston.
Pinewood is dedicated to giving students in three-year-old preschool through 12th grade a foundation for success in all aspects of life.
Pinewood places strong emphasis on educating, inspiring, and motivating students as they guide them toward leadership and achievement. Within a family-like atmosphere, the focus is on developing well-rounded students with rigorous academics, small class sizes, competitive athletics, and diverse extra-curricular and fine arts programs.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked SC School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 705 students
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Pinewood Preparatory School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in South Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Sports offered
School History

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1952

Student Body

Total Students
705 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
9%
State avg.: 18%
Students by Grade
Pinewood Preparatory School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
85 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
60%
Average Class Size
15 students
Number of AP Courses
17 courses
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Uniforms

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Tuition Notes
Tuition and Fee Schedule available on our website
% on Financial Aid
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,000
Acceptance Rate
85%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Nicolle Morgan
Admissions Associate
Amanda Stockton

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
27 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Beta Club, Chess Team, Cyber-Defense Team, Dance Team, Diversity Club, Engineering Club, Environmental Club, Future Physicians Club, Interact Club, International Club, Literary Magazine, Math Team, Model United Nations, Pep Club, Photography Club, Quiz Bowl, Recycling Club, Robotics Team, Student Ambassadors, Student Government Association, Wilderness Club, Yearbook

Arts and Music Programs:
Chorus, Drama, Handbells, Improv Comedy Club, Pep Band

School Notes

  • Pinewood Preparatory School is an independent, college preparatory school located in beautiful Summerville, S.C., a short drive from historic Charleston. Pinewood is dedicated to giving students in three-year-old preschool through 12th grade a foundation for success in all aspects of life. Pinewood places strong emphasis on educating, inspiring, and motivating students as they guide them toward leadership and achievement. Within a family-like atmosphere, the focus is on developing well-rounded students with rigorous academics, small class sizes, competitive athletics, and diverse extra-curricular and fine arts programs.
  • Pinewood Preparatory School`s 43-acre campus is 30 minutes from downtown Charleston. Facilities include 56 classrooms, a college style lecture hall, six science laboratories, computer, media, and student centers, gymnasiums, an auditorium, and athletic fields. The school offers a diverse and challenging curriculum that includes fifteen Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Students exhibit increasingly competitive scores on the SAT and have a high (80 percent) passing rate on AP exams.
  • In keeping with a mission of developing well-rounded students, Pinewood Preparatory offers over sixty-five organizations representing a wide range of academic, athletic, fine arts, and extra curricular programs. Ninety percent of graduates participate in at least one extra-curricular activity, and nearly seventy-five percent participate in at least one athletic endeavor.With ninety-seven percent of graduating seniors typically enrolling in four-year colleges, Pinewood Preparatory students have a notable acceptance rate at some of the nation`s most prestigious and competitive universities and colleges. Over thirty percent tend to go out-of-state to college, and students regularly enroll in South Carolina`s most competitive public and private colleges, with many attending honors programs.
  • The faculty at Pinewood Preparatory School demonstrates academic strength, with fifty-four percent holding advanced degrees and an average of fifteen years teaching. Pinewood Preparatory has a current enrollment of approximately750 students from Dorchester, Berkeley, Charleston and Colleton counties. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. Pinewood Preparatory is also a member in the National Association of Independent Schools, the South Carolina Independent School Association, and the Palmetto Association of IndependentSchools.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate of Pinewood Preparatory School?
The acceptance rate of Pinewood Preparatory School is 85%, which is lower than the national average of 90%. Pinewood Preparatory School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in South Carolina with low acceptance rates.
What sports does Pinewood Preparatory School offer?
Pinewood Preparatory School offers 14 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Riflery, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Weightlifting. Pinewood Preparatory School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in South Carolina for most sports offered.
What is Pinewood Preparatory School's ranking?
Pinewood Preparatory School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in South Carolina for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Pinewood Preparatory School?
The application deadline for Pinewood Preparatory School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Calendar

View the Pinewood Preparatory School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event
Date
Last Day for Seniors
May 01, 2024 (Wednesday)
Last Day for PK3 & PK4- Pinewood Plus OPEN (By Reservation)
May 22, 2024 (Wednesday)
Last Day PK3/PK4 Carnival on Discovery Playground
May 22, 2024 (Wednesday)
Last Day for K-11th Grade Kindergarten Program 8:15 AM Pinewood Plus OPEN (by Reservation)
May 23, 2024 (Thursday)
Labor Day- School Closed- Pinewood Plus CLOSED
September 02, 2024 (Monday)

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (7 reviews)
5  
I spent almost my entire educational career at Pinewood, and not only has it been critical to my development as an individual, but I have also gained friends and made relationships that will last me a lifetime. Between the incredible teachers, top-notch athletics, and endless extracurriculars, Pinewood encouraged me to explore my existing interests while also pushing me to venture out of my comfort zone. I have many friends that went to other schools, both private and public, and when I hear about their experiences I just thank my lucky stars I was able to attend Pinewood instead of somewhere else. You truly are part of a family at Pinewood and I can't wait to see how the school continues to progress in the upcoming years.
- Posted by
5  
I am a current employee and teacher at Pinewood and I can't say a single negative thing about this place. The students are amazing and they get along, my coworkers are the best I've had in my career, and the family feel of this place astounds me. The teachers are very qualified, in fact, Pinewood has over two times as many Master Teachers as any other school in the state. The athletics are powerful and strong. The arts are prevalent and so many students participate. Overall, Pinewood is an amazing school and I highly recommend it.
- Posted by
5  
Family. That might be a "buzz word" that schools tend to tout. At Pinewood, however, that family feeling is very real. We have two children in the lower school and our kids believe the teachers hung the moon and stars. The love and support that these teachers show the kids is something special--it's genuine and very obvious to anyone who comes for a visit. We could not be more impressed, and grateful, for everything they've done during the virus pandemic. Our kids made actual progress last spring and were not simply treading water. Then, they followed through on their pledge to reopen in-person. We are several weeks in to the new school year and have been thoroughly impressed with the way all the teachers, students, and families, have handled all of the change.
- Posted by
5  
I have taught at Pinewood for the past five years and continue to be happy each and every day. The kids are great, focused and positive. There are few if any discipline issues on campus. I have never worked with a faculty that is so fantastic. While the campus could use some updates, the administration is caring and supportive. We have really worked to add more technology and developed some really cool programs. Pinewood is the best!
- Posted by
5  
This school is a gem! Top flight academics - stellar athletics - wonderful arts programs. The faculty is the best.
- Posted by
5  
I am the parent of a recent Pinewood graduate. I continually hear from my daughter and her friends who graduated from Pinewood about how well-prepared they are for college. Pinewood provided my daughter with the tools and the confidence to easily navigate through her first year of college. As a result of her participation in the arts, athletics, and student organizations at Pinewood, she has continued to participate in all of these activities at her college. Although I could tell that she was receiving an excellent education at Pinewood, it was when she arrived at college that SHE realized the true value of her Pinewood education.
- Posted by
5  
My daughter is a new high school student at Pinewood this year and we have been quite happy with the quality of the academic program and the commitment of the teachers. Having been part of a private school up north, we have very expectations. Pinewood can provide the quality program comparable with schools anywhere at a tremendous tuition value. The sports and arts programs are also top notch. We are so glad that we moved to the Charleston area and found Pinewood.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked SC School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 705 students
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in South Carolina is $8,287 for elementary schools and $8,271 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in South Carolina is 90% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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