Pinewood School is a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...

non-sectarian Nonsectarian institutions are secular institutions or other organizations not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious group. Academic sphere Many North American universities identify themselves as being nonsectarian, such as B ...

college preparatory A college-preparatory school (often shortened to prep school, preparatory school, college prep school or college prep academy) is a type of secondary school. The term refers to public, private independent or parochial schools primarily design ...

school in the

Silicon Valley Silicon Valley is a region in Northern California that is a global center for high technology and innovation. Located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area, it corresponds roughly to the geographical area of the Santa Clara Valley ...

communities of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills in

Santa Clara County, California Santa Clara County, officially the County of Santa Clara, is the sixth-most populous county in the U.S. state of California, with a population of 1,936,259 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Santa Clara County and neighboring Sa ...

. The school was founded as an extracurricular center for performing arts. In the 1960s, it was renovated to become a full-time school. It consists of three campuses: Lower Campus, Middle Campus, and Upper Campus. The school is known for its performing arts and math courses, as well as many Track and Field events.

History

Founded in 1959 by Gwen Riches, the school began as an afternoon creative arts program. By 1964, enrollment had increased to 350 students, and the newly named Creative Workshop became established as a full-time private school. Pinewood is the

sister school A sister school is usually a pair of schools, usually single-sex school, one with female students and the other with male students. This relationship is seen to benefit both schools. For instance, when Harvard University was a male-only school, Ra ...

of Oakwood School, Morgan Hill, which was founded by Gwen Riches' eldest daughter and her husband.

Academics

Pinewood School is accredited by the

Western Association of Schools and Colleges The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC ( )) provided accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in California and Hawaii, the territories of Guam, American Samoa and Northern ...

and is a member of the

National Association of Independent Schools The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is a U.S.-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1962, NAIS represents independent schools and associations in the United States, including day, board ...

Notable alumni

* John M. Chu, film director *

Sequoia Nagamatsu Sequoia Nagamatsu is an American novelist, short story writer, and professor, and the author of the novel ''How High We Go in the Dark.'' Personal life Nagamatsu received a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology in 2004 from Grinnell College ...

, author *

Larisa Oleynik Larisa Romanovna Oleynik (; born June 7, 1981) is an American actress. Oleynik began her career as a child actor, first appearing onstage as young Cosette in a national touring production of ''Les Misérables'' (1989–1991). She was subseque ...

, actress

References

External links

Pinewood School official website
{{authority control Preparatory schools in California Schools in Santa Clara County, California Los Altos, California Private elementary schools in California Private middle schools in California Private high schools in California Educational institutions established in 1959 1959 establishments in California