The Student Experience
Preserving the student experience during the modernization process.
Pinewood has consistently shown that even during times of transition, student learning and community life remain strong. Under Scott Riches’ leadership, our school successfully navigated two major campus renovations and the challenges of COVID, always ensuring students felt connected, supported, and inspired. With that same steady hand, and in partnership with trusted architects and contractors who know Pinewood well, we are fully prepared to manage the Upper Campus modernization with care and confidence. Two operational options are being carefully evaluated: remaining on campus with high-quality modular classrooms or temporarily relocating offsite for one academic year. Whatever path is chosen, our commitment is unwavering: to preserve the excellence of the Pinewood experience, safeguard our students’ well-being, and create a vibrant, modern campus for generations to come.
Managing Temporary Disruptions: A Tradition of Adaptability
At Pinewood, we have always been dedicated to delivering a purposeful, engaging, and enriching program. Our innovative spirit and adaptability were exemplified during the challenges of COVID, when we reimagined academics and found creative ways to celebrate cherished milestones. Even through distance learning, students remained connected, inspired, and supported, proving that Pinewood students can thrive despite temporary disruptions to a physical space.
Experience in Construction and Continuity
Pinewood is no stranger to maintaining educational excellence during campus renovations.
2008: The Lower Campus was remodeled to enhance facilities for kindergarten through 2nd grade.
2016: Students in grades 3–6 moved into the newly renovated Middle Campus, located at the school’s original founding site-the Riches family home.
In both projects, Pinewood worked closely with architects, contractors, and subcontractors to phase construction so students could remain on campus safely and without interruption to their learning or overall experience.
Planning for Upper Campus Operations During Construction
To minimize the impact of construction, Pinewood is carefully evaluating two options for managing school operations. Our goal is to limit disruption to a single academic year while ensuring the highest quality of education and student life.
Option 1: Remaining On Campus with Modular Classrooms
Pinewood would lease high-quality modular buildings, fully customizable for classrooms, learning spaces, faculty use, dining, and other essential needs.
These modular facilities are modern, safe, and compliant with all state health and safety regulations.
Placement would be on a portion of the existing field and the area designated for future tennis courts.
This option will include precise coordination with ongoing construction activities, as well as carefully managed pickup and drop-off procedures.
To uphold the highest standards of education and student life, Pinewood would also lease offsite facilities for athletics, theater, and special events during the single academic year.
A comparable approach is currently being implemented by Castilleja School in Palo Alto during their campus modernization project.
Option 2: Relocating to a Temporary Offsite Location
Pinewood would lease office space within close proximity to the Los Altos Hills campus, ideally located in Los Altos, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino, or Sunnyvale.
To ensure the highest quality of education and student life, supplemental leasing of offsite athletic facilities, theater venues, and special event spaces would be required if not available at the chosen site.
The project team is actively engaging with planning departments in the identified cities, while Pinewood parents in the commercial real estate sector are assisting in evaluating viable space options.