🏫 Pinewood School News – October 2026
🏆 Max Darrow ‘12 Wins Two Regional Emmys for Reporting — Pinewood alum Max Darrow received two Regional Emmy awards in August for his exceptional work as an anchor and reporter with KPIX, CBS Bay Area. This achievement brings his total to five Emmys since 2021, recognized for excellence in multi-media and craft achievement for news anchoring.
🏠 Pinewood School Launches New Four-House Spirit System — This year, Pinewood Upper Campus introduced a new four-house system, replacing the former Green and Gold competition. The houses — Ember, Jade, Lux, and Onyx — aim to enhance connections across grades and have reportedly increased school spirit, though some students feel it may detract from community time.
👩🏫 Pinewood Welcomes Six New Teachers to Upper Campus — This year, Pinewood School welcomed six new teachers, including three math teachers, two English teachers, and one performing arts teacher. Each new educator was attracted to Pinewood for its welcoming community and support for both academics and the arts.
🕒 Pinewood Introduces Community Time for Student Engagement — Pinewood School has shortened class periods from 84 to 75 minutes to create more space in students' days, implementing community time. This initiative allows students more time to eat, relax, meet with teachers, and engage in clubs and activities, enhancing their overall school experience.
🤖 Pinewood Robotics Team Gears Up for FIRST Competition — Pinewood’s robotics team is in the crucial preparation phase for the FIRST Robotics Competition, a global engineering contest that requires teams to adapt to a new game each year. With only 8 to 9 weeks to build their robot, the team is currently developing prototypes, including a refined intake system for better ball collection and shooting accuracy.
📢 Pinewood Community Calls for Peace Amid Global Conflicts — The Pinewood community responded to escalating conflicts in Venezuela, Sudan, and Iran at the start of 2026. Students from Model UN, SAFE, and other groups highlighted the need for greater global attention and discussed international intervention and humanitarian crises. This initiative reflects a strong commitment to advocating for peace and awareness.
🎭 Pinewood PPA Students Perform in Iceland — In February, Pinewood Performing Arts students traveled to Iceland, performing at three venues while exploring stunning landmarks. The trip included visits to waterfalls, the Blue Lagoon, a black sand beach, and a Viking museum, allowing students to blend performances with cultural experiences and connect with Icelandic students and audiences.
🏫 Pinewood Admissions Focuses on Authentic Connections — Pinewood's admissions process now emphasizes in-person interviews and student-led tours to foster authentic connections with prospective families. The school is also being transparent about upcoming renovations, with $62.5 million already allocated for the project.
For more Pinewood School news, visit https://theperennial.org