770.888.4477

Lower School

As both Dean and Dad, his perspective is unique.

    • Meet Jay, PreK-8th Grade Dean of Students

The elementary years are a time of growth and development for your child during which many lifelong habits, attitudes, and character attributes are established. This is why sending your child to the best private school is so important.

Whatever the subject or activity, nurturing a positive self-concept and cultivating a love for learning are crucial during these formative years. This is why, at Pinecrest Academy, the best Catholic school in North Atlanta, we will pay special attention to the unique talents, temperament, and circumstances of your son or daughter. Small class sizes (the average class size in our Lower School is under 20 students), a family atmosphere, and private Christian school environment that teaches morals and values, will allow your child to receive a genuine education according to his or her strengths and needs.

In all subject areas, Pinecrest proclaims that truth is the foundation of knowledge and learning. Our Catholic school curriculum is virtue-based, balanced, academically challenging, and will thoroughly prepare your child for any demanding middle school program.

List of 10 items.

  • Language Arts

    Language arts encompasses the areas of vocabulary, spelling, grammar, reading and literature, composition, listening, public speaking, and handwriting. Emphasis on building grammar and vocabulary proficiency will assist your child in the acquisition of effective communication skills. Extensive phonics work is used to develop a strong foundation for word attack, decoding, and spelling skills. Exposure to the world of literature is accomplished through all genres and includes poetry, novels, and short stories. Reading comprehension, composition, and public speaking are the primary focuses of instruction at the intermediate level.

  • Mathematics

    Our conceptual Math curriculum goes well beyond the mastery of basic facts and skills. Students learn more about math by solving rich, reality-based problems. They gain a deeper, clearer understanding of math concepts with visual models and scaffolds in every lesson. They are challenged to explain their thinking and solve problems in more than one way.  This conceptual approach sets the stage for AP Math classes at the high school level.

  • Social Studies

    Social studies is not just the study of history and geography. It involves civics, problem-solving, critical thinking, and a developmentally appropriate understanding of economics. Our Catholic school curriculum helps students think critically and analytically about past events, as well as provide a framework for understanding other cultural works such as art and literature. Students practice active listening, debate skills, writing, and public speaking, as they deepen their understanding of the world through meaningful learning experiences.

  • Science

    Our science curriculum is designed to awaken a curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world and how it works. Students explore by asking questions, investigating answers, and linking their science knowledge to the solving of complex problems.  They write, debate, experiment, and construct explanations from evidence and models. They are led to use their scientific knowledge to be responsible citizens of a global community and make the world a better place, which aligns with our Catholic school mission, to form Christian leaders who will transform society.

  • Catholic Formation

    The  Catholic  Formation  program  provides  opportunities  for  students  to  grow  in deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ through an understanding of the fundamental truths of Catholic doctrine, manifesting it through the practice of virtue and being a Christian witness to others.  Students are encouraged throughout the school day to form habits of virtue and integrate their knowledge and experience of faith in all subject matters.

  • Spanish

    Spanish is taught in kindergarten through eighth grades. In the elementary and intermediate grades, your child will learn basic conversational phrases, vocabulary and grammar, as well as the geography and culture of Spanish-speaking countries.

  • Physical Education

    Physical education is an important aspect of the integral formation of your child. Through physical exercises, organized sports, and age-appropriate games, your child will have fun while staying fit and learning about good health. He/she will develop strength and coordination, teamwork, communication skills, self-control, and the ability to follow directions and rules.

  • Music & Art

    Music and art help develop the aesthetic dimension of the human mind. Our music and art programs are designed to lead students to an understanding and appreciation of the great musical and artistic masterpieces, as well as to provide opportunities for self-expression as a way of celebrating the gifts God has given them.

  • STEAM

    STEAM is an acronym for an educational approach that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics to guide student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. By including the Arts, STEAM incorporates artistic and design-related skills and thinking processes into traditional STEM education. The end results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process.

  • Technology

    The integration of technology with classroom content improves student achievement. Teachers use technology to introduce, reinforce, extend, enrich, assess, and remediate student mastery of private school grade curricular standards. Thoughtfully planned lessons help engage students to a higher degree and lead to the development of 21st-century skills, such as complex thinking, creative problem solving, and collaboration. Curricular resources like STAR Reading and Math enhance instruction and provide remediation or enrichment according to the needs of the individual student. Technology is used as one of many tools to personalize instruction and reinforce mastery of learning targets based on the individual needs of each learner.

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  • Lenny Forti, PreK-8th Grade Principal

    Mr. Forti is from Buffalo, New York and was raised in an Italian Catholic family, along with three older sisters and a brother.
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  • Carter Mayville, PreK-8th Grade Dean of Academics

    Mr. Mayville holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA.
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  • Jay Lynch, PreK-8th Grade Dean of Students

    Jay Lynch is the PreK-8th Grade Dean of Students and the Junior Paladins Athletics Director.
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Here's what parents are saying:

"Pinecrest has been a phenomenal gift to our entire family. Our children are not only loved, but their individual uniqueness is understood. The extraordinary teachers have an amazing way of connecting with every student and pushing them to their fullest potential." - Jennifer Althardt, Pinecrest Parent

"We were impressed at how clearly and consistently the Pinecrest mission of forming the whole child is communicated. Within the first semester alone, there were several examples of the school providing enlightening and enjoyable opportunities for partnering with parents to reinforce this message." - Karen Kress, Pinecrest Parent

"We highly recommend Pinecrest Academy to everyone regardless of religious affiliation." - Mike Lee, Pinecrest Parent

Why Pinecrest for your elementary school-aged child?

  1. Small classes allow for personal attention (average class size under 20 students per class).
  2. Exceptional teachers, over half of whom hold advanced degrees.
  3. High academic standards to enrich your child’s learning experience, while maintaining a developmentally appropriate atmosphere.
  4. Nurturing Environment, insuring each student is healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.
  5. Fine Arts and Language programs, including Art, Band, Drama, Music and Spanish.
  6. Fully integrated STEAM program.

And much more! Schedule a private tour and come and see what Pinecrest has to offer your family.
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Our Mission: To form Christian leaders who will transform society.
955 Peachtree Parkway
Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: 770.888.4477
Fax: 770.888.0404
info@pinecrestacademy.org