Interested in learning about Pines?

Step one

Please call us at 281.358.8933 or click the Contact Us button on the left of this page to schedule a virtual conversation with our Head of School.  This time will be spent learning about your family, your child, and about our school.  Please plan for about 45 minutes and invite whoever is important to your child to attend.  Happy to have in-town grandma or out of state grandpa on the video call.  That’s the cool thing about virtual meetings!

Step two

Wednesday Walkabouts!  Each Wednesday, we collect up to four families that have had a virtual chat with us, to come to Pines for a Walkabout.  Following your video call, you will receive an email invitation to RSVP.  Please respond with the Wednesday that works for you.  This tour is at 9 am and is designed for adults only.  Babes in arms of course, can attend.  Please find care for all other children.

Step three

At this point we are sharing with you the availability for your children in their particular classroom community.  Infants, Toddlers, and Primary communities accept applicants thoughtfully, all throughout the school year.  Lower, Upper Elementary, and Middle School generally only accept students at the beginning of the summer or fall semester.  There are exceptions for students who are transferring directly from a Montessori Elementary or Middle School.

Step four

Once we see a clear path for availability within a school year's time frame, we will accept an application with the non-refundable application fee. 

So what’s next?

• Infant and Toddler applicants will have an Applicant Meeting scheduled for you and your child.  These generally take place after school at 3:15 pm and the meeting lasts approximately ½ hour.  You both will join the teachers in a classroom to explore. You will help by answering questions and discussing things that cannot be observed during this time.

• Primary applicants will have an Applicant Meeting scheduled for you and your child.  These generally take place after school at 3:15 pm and the meeting lasts approximately 45 minutes.  If your child will separate from you easily, then they will join the teachers in a classroom while you remain in the Front Office. During this time, the teacher is introducing the classroom and introducing some beginning activities.  When they are done, they will walk back to the office and your child will now invite YOU to visit THEIR classroom. If your child does not feel comfortable or confident to leave you, you may join them for support but please permit them to be independent as possible.

• Elementary and Middle School applicants must submit school records from their previous school prior to their scheduled Shadow Day.  Teachers will use previous school records to determine the pace of the day.  This is an 8:00 am-3:15 pm full school day.  During this day our teachers will introduce the flow of the day and begin to determine where the student is in our scope and sequence.  Your child will be partnered with another current student.  Following this Shadow Day, a meeting will be conducted to share with you our observations and next steps. 

For all applicants a letter of acceptance or declination will be sent from the school within one week.  If your child's enrollment is accepted, you are asked to reply to the offer of enrollment and secure your child's placement with the deposit.

Students are placed in classroom communities based on many factors including when a vacancy becomes available, a balance in the age, gender, siblings, the personalities and needs of the students and overall make-up of the classroom.