Pinewood School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (26-27)

Top Ranked CA School
Grades: Kindergarten-12
Enrollment: 614 students
Yearly Tuition: $62,090
Acceptance rate: 35%
Average class size: 18 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 5
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Pinewood School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade

Grade	Pinewood School
Kind	50
1	38
2	47
3	38
4	42
5	42
6	59
7	61
8	53
9	44
10	35
11	52
12	53

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Year Founded

1959

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Last Day of School

Thu. May 27, 2027

Campus Size

9 acres

School Motto

WISCR

Student Body

Total Students

614 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

34%

State avg.: 52%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

110 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

6:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

70%

Average Class Size

18 students

Average SAT score

1400

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

K-6-uniform, 7-12 casual

Number of AP Courses

19 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) (ACS WASC)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Jan. 5

Yearly Tuition Cost

$62,090

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

46980-62090

% on Financial Aid

19%

Acceptance Rate

35%

National avg.: 85%

College Acceptance Rate

100%

Admissions Director

Lisa Longbottom

Admissions Associate

Sarah Riches

Application URL

Online Application

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Sports

Total Sports Offered

12 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

Cross CountryDance

Flag FootballFootball

GolfSoccer

SwimmingTennis

Track and FieldVolleyball

Colors

Green and Gold

School Mascot

Panthers

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

12 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Art ClubChess Club

Golf ClubPhotography Club

Pinewood Perennial NewspaperPinewood Social Entrepreneurship Program

Robotics TeamSpeech and Debate Team

Yearbook Club

Arts and Music Programs:

Choir ProgramTake Note A Capella

Theater Arts

School Notes

Pinewood School, established in 1959, is an independent, coeducational K-12 private school in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, California, serving approximately 600 students across three campuses.
With intentionally small classes, close student-teacher relationships, preparatory academics, and a personalized approach to education, Pinewood creates a supportive, joyful learning environment where students are known, challenged, and empowered to thrive
Recently recognized by Niche.com among the top 2% of private K12 schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and top 19% of private high schools in Santa Clara County.

Elementary K-6 Program: Pinewood's elementary school program is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and help students develop a strong sense of self. Students learn from single-subject teachers who bring deep expertise and enthusiasm to their disciplines, moving to different classrooms for each subject and benefiting from teachers who know their content deeply. Social-emotional learning, hands-on and experiential learning, leadership opportunities, and performing arts in every grade give students opportunities to build agency, strengthen public speaking skills, and find their voice. Because every K6 student participates in performing arts, students develop confidence through the experience of stepping forward, performing, and contributing as part of a team.
Sixth Grade at Pinewood: Sixth grade is an intentional bridge between the elementary and Upper School experiences. By keeping sixth grade within the K-6 program, Pinewood gives students the "gift of time" to deepen academic foundations, strengthen relationships, and develop the confidence and independence they will need for the more autonomous Upper School experience. As the oldest students on the elementary campus, sixth graders also step into meaningful leadership roles, serving as role models and Big Buddies to younger students while developing responsibility, empathy, and leadership skills.
Middle School (Grades 7 & 8) and High School (Grades 9-12): At the Upper Campus, serving grades 712, Pinewood pairs a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with the freedom to develop multiple facets of who they are. Students can pursue athletics, arts, leadership, and distinctive opportunities including Social Entrepreneurship, Speech & Debate, Robotics, and our award-winning A Cappella group "Take Note" without having to define themselves by a single lane. College counseling begins freshman year, providing early, individualized guidance as students identify their interests, develop their strengths, and chart their path beyond Pinewood. All of this unfolds within a close-knit community where students are known, encouraged to take meaningful risks, and supported in finding their voice and growing with confidence.
Belonging at Pinewood: Relationships are intentionally at the center of the student experience. Faculty and administrators know students well, creating the individualized support and sense of belonging that empower students to challenge themselves, find their voice, advocate for themselves, and take positive risks. The result is a deeply connected community where students can pursue new possibilities while engaging in an intellectually-challengingprogram.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Jon W. Chu '98 - Jon M. Chu (Class of 1998) is a critically acclaimed filmmaker and proud "Pinewood Evergreen" who attended from kindergarten through high school. Known on campus for his creativity and school spirit, Jon began his journey filming home movies in Los Altos before attending the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts. Today, he is a celebrated Hollywood director, producer, and writer best known for directing global box-office hits like Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights, and the two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked.
- Katy Digovich '03 - Katy Digovich (Class of 2003) is a prominent healthcare entrepreneur, biotech innovator, and Pinewood Athletics Hall of Famer. After graduating, she attended Princeton University, where she played forward on the women's basketball team. Driven by her own experience living with Type 1 diabetes, she has dedicated her career to global health equity and medical breakthroughs. Today, she serves as the CEO and co-founder of Minutia, a cutting-edge biotechnology company pioneering functional cell therapies to treat Type 1 diabetes.
- Hannah Jump '19 - Hannah Jump (Class of 2019) is a prolific professional basketball player and one of the most accurate three-point shooters in women’s college basketball history. After a standout career at Pinewood School, she starred for Stanford University, where she won an NCAA National Championship in 2021 and broke the program's all-time record for career three-pointers made. Today, she plays professionally in Europe and represents Great Britain internationally.
- Sequoia Nagamatsu '00 - Sequoia Nagamatsu is a critically acclaimed Japanese-American author and professor. He achieved major literary success with his genre-bending debut novel, How High We Go in the Dark, which became a New York Times Editors' Choice and a national bestseller. Educated at Grinnell College and Southern Illinois University, he currently serves as an associate professor of creative writing at St. Olaf College while continuing to publish award-winning fiction.
- Christina Bullock '04 - Christina Bullock (Class of 2004) built a highly successful career working inside Big Tech and corporate apparel before she transitioned into entrepreneurship to start her own brand, Joyasol. Her company focuses on designing ethically made, highly sustainable women's footwear and blends tech-driven supply chain management with philanthropy.
- Derek Amanatullah, MD '94 - Dr. Derek Amanatullah was Valedictorian of his graduating class at Pinewood School and is now an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford University. He specializes in arthritis and joint replacements and is a leading medical researcher with over 300 clinical publications.
- Brandon Ge '24 - Brandon Ge is a highly accomplished competitive card player who represented Team USA at the 19th World Youth Bridge Championship in Salsomaggiore, Italy. Competing on the USA U21 team alongside his brother, he helped secure a silver medal, marking the best United States youth finish at the world championships in over 20 years.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Pinewood School cost?

Pinewood School's tuition is approximately $62,090 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Pinewood School?

The acceptance rate of Pinewood School is 35%, which is lower than the national average of 83%. Pinewood School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in California with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Pinewood School?

Pinewood School famous alumni include: Jon W. Chu '98, Katy Digovich '03, Hannah Jump '19, Sequoia Nagamatsu '00, Christina Bullock '04, Derek Amanatullah, MD '94 and Brandon Ge '24.

Does Pinewood School offer a summer program?

Yes, Pinewood School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Pinewood School offer?

Pinewood School offers 12 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Flag Football, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. Pinewood School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.

What is Pinewood School's ranking?

Pinewood School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Highest average SAT score, Highest average ACT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most sports offered and Most extracurriculars offered.

When is the application deadline for Pinewood School?

The application deadline for Pinewood School is Jan. 5.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Los Altos, CA is $28,276 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).