If you are struggling to find a school that "gets" your neurodivergent child, look no further. We went from daily battles and school refusals to a son who now comes home beaming, sharing everything he's learned. The team here is incredible--think " true angels" and "big teddy bears" with expert teaching skills. They've replaced my son's frustration with pure confidence. Ms. Kathy in the elementary department is a true hero! We are forever grateful to Pine Hills for giving our son a place to finally belong and thrive. 5 stars isn't enough. read more

I'll admit, when our home school district first recommended placing my child at PHS, I was very reluctant. I read some reviews online that were, frankly, horrifying. So with a lot of reservations and misgivings, I set up an appointment to tour the school and meet with staff. My initial, still somewhat skeptical reaction to the visit was that it "wasn't as bad as I expected." His shadowing days were rather mixed. The first day, a Wednesday, was "awful" according to him and he got in the car crying and refused to ever go back. But after a cooling off period, I got him to try again on Monday and he had a wonderful day and told me how much he loved it. That was six months ago (give or take) and my son has now been enrolled since the summer program in 2022. He is doing so well both academically but also in his behavior. I believe two things are the overwhelming contributors to this: 1) his class is quite small and he is finally getting the attention he craves (that has often prompted inappropriate attention-seeking behaviors in the past). 2) Negative behavior doesn't give him a free pass to go home for 2-3 days or a week (with a suspension). In addition to these, he is also rewarded, praised, and recognized (attention, attention, attention!) for good behavior. Importantly, he is gaining much-needed confidence and learning to ENJOY school. He also tells me that it is so nice to feel like his classmates "get" him. His teacher, Miss Kathy has done amazing work with him and is a great communicator with the parents as well. The other staff are wonderful as well. In particular, the Dean of Students, Mr. Wallace is deeply engaged and puts his whole heart into connecting with students and improving the school and its programs. I am so glad that I overcame my initial reservations (and my son's!) so that he's a chance to learn to be a better student and have a positive school experience. read more

I can't explain how great this school is!! My son has been kicked out of every school in our public school system. No place could handle his high functioning autism and ADHD. It got to the point they didn't want to teach him..any slight inconvenience.. They would send him home.. everyday at 9am I got the call to pick him up. I lost all hope. Then we were sent to pine hill. My hopes were still low. I got the tour and told they don't send kids.. That they actually work with them while they are struggling. My son has been there for almost a year and he loves it! I love it!! Staff is amazing!! And they are actually teaching my son!! He has a long way to go but a HUGE difference!! Pine hill gave me my hope back that my son will succeed in life!! read more

Second Start Learning Disabilities Programs - My son is the one in green with his friend at the end of the year award ceremony!! - Special Education Near Me - San Jose, California

This school has been life-changing for my son! At first, I was skeptical that PineHill would make a difference when we were facing so many issues. But my son is excited to go to school everyday, and is sad when it is the weekend! He has a huge amount of respect for his teachers and staff! Ms Carrie, Mr Ed, Mr Kevin and and Jacquie teach him academics and life skills. In the one year of being at PineHill, my son has really matured and turned his life around! I am very grateful for the school's staff and environment that transformed him! read more

WORSE SCHOOL EVER! Pine Hill is horrible about communicating to parents about their kids. I talk to my sons teacher everyday, and everyday his teacher Tim says how much he is such a good fit for this School. Well to day I got a notice in the Mail, that they will be terminating his placement at the school in less than 20 days. I just had a meeting with the principal Greg two weeks ago and he said the same thing. They are just scared and upset because my son eloped from the campus and none of the staff noticed he was gone. How are they a Special Needs School, but can't keep track of their students. When I asked the staff about the incident the staff Kevin said " have a nice day". This week my son got hurt, and asked Walice Tim for an Ice pack they refused to provide him with one. When I picked him up that day he was in tears cause he was still in pain and they didn't notify me. I took him to the ER. His Collarbone was fractured. If you are a parent of a Special Needs child I would look else where for your child. read more

Our son was in need of something that seemed impossible to find. Then somebody told me about a new school opening named Pinehill. He was the first child that started the school with Mr. Ed. If it wasn't for the school I don't know where we would have taken him, it was everything he needed and then some. He is now almost 24 years old and just tonight he reminded me of two things that Mr. Ed taught him about life that he applied to himself just this afternoon. Pretty amazing !! To have people that understand your special needs child is everything to a parent. Then for them to get through to your child and actually teach them the life skills they need is a beautiful thing. Thank you Mr. Ed, Miss Elizabeth and of course, Greg. T S read more

Today my son & I toured Pine Hill & I must say I felt comfortable immediately as did my son - he didn't want to leave which is huge considering my son hates school. Their program is exactly what we were looking for & I can't wait for this second start for my son read more

Be cautious about this school. My student came home with bruises on his face and neck from being restrained and I didn't even get a phone call--I had to call the principal myself to find out what was going on, and only then did I learn my nine year old son had been restrained that day at school by two grown men for close to an hour, after my son verbally threatened and then rushed at another child. Let's just assume all this restraint was required for the safety of the other child--even though my son has verbally threatened, but has never hurt another child. Why wasn't I contacted by the school? Why wasn't I given written notification of the restraint, as required by law? Why did I have to ask my child what happened to him, about something I wouldn't have even known to ask him about if he didn't come home with a bruise on his chin and down his neck? Why did I need to pick up the phone and call the school, rather than them reaching out to me? I asked Principal Greg Zieman why the school had not contacted me or at least written a notice (as required by law whenever hands are put on any student). He explained to me that if they wrote up a report every time they needed to use restraints on students, they would spend their whole time writing reports and not helping the children. Mr. Zieman admitted freely to regular violations of California regulations, which require written notification whenever a child is physically touched. He shared his honest feeling that he thought the law would be too cumbersome and that writing up incidents like my son's would get in the way of helping his students. I don't agree. After that day I felt my child was not safe at this school, since the principal himself didn't feel bound by what seems to me a very good law about informing parents when their child is restrained physically. They don't have to write me a book about what happened. They just need to tell me in a few sentences what my child did to deserve restraint, and what measures were taken by the staff to keep him safe, and that's it. That's the law. Ok, if you have a school district referring your child to this school, do at least ask the school about their restraint policy before making your decision. Do insist on being able to visit the school unannounced. Then keep an eye on things. Don't just get dazzled that your son or daughter is finally getting extra help after your years of struggle or that you can finally stop worrying about calls from the principal's office. I really am wary now of this school, after our experience, and I would like you to be wary as well, especially if you have a child who struggles with describing their school experiences to you. Some parents think this school is God's Heaven for their child, and God's Heaven for them as parents, too--finally there is a school who isn't calling them every five minutes for them to come pick up their child and bring them home. For my part I think the school should probably be calling parents a great deal more often, and especially they should be in touch with parents when adults are restraining students physically. I was not able to get over the sense that such physical restraint without legal notification of parents was a wrong and dangerous precedent and so I removed my son from the school immediately. Much later and after many requests I did receive a written report that matched my son's story. Hmm, I would also be very cautious in evaluating the 5 star reviews of this school, more than one of which have exactly this sentence in it: "I would like to take this opportunity to express how Newton Center has changed my son's life, and, as a direct result, made our family life that much more enjoyable." The chances of two parents from two different families writing this exact sentence are slim. My trust is shot with this school. read more

My daughter attended Pine Hill for 3 years and it transformed her life. She was able to mainstream back into public school and was able to graduate High School. She is now happily married and working. I also worked at Pine Hill as an Insturctional Aide and watched students lives transformed. This is an amazing school with the most awesome staff! I would highly recommend Pine Hill!! read more

I feel so honored to be a piece of such an exceptional school! The teachers are exceptional; so full of creativity and willing to think "outside the box". Their skills are always up to date and they are very aware of the current standards and goals of their students. The students are constantly being engaged and excited about learning. The staff is very accessible and always there for staff, students and parents! A great place to learn! read more

My son is on the spectrum and social settings are very difficult for him. 2 1/2 years ago we relocated from the Midwest which was very, very challenging for him. Pine Hill was recommended to us by the local school district. I was skeptical at first, but since we enrolled him we saw a lot of improvement. He struggled academically for years but now is doing quite well. Plus he has made his share of friends there! Although we still have many challenges with him at home, he has done quite well at the school. I credit his outstanding teachers and counselors for his successes. I am extremely happy with Pine Hill and I am more hopeful that he will be able handle life's challenges because of the school. read more

Now pine hill has graduation gowns and caps! So not cool I attended Pine hill from 2006-2009 they took care of me there there were some of the best teachers there ever and this is Caitlin s by the way and did Erin.L ever come back when I was there they helped me in so many ways I learned a lot of things how to learn social skills and how to make friends on some days weren't my best there at pine hill but it took me four or five tries to finally pass the CAHSEE California high school exit exam. I was the oldest student there at the time a senior in 12 the grade and man was I ready to transfer back to a normal high school but I never made it I ended up graduating. I ended up going to junior college at 20 years old. Well now I see in the reviews that things have changed since I was last there well I'm coming back ...only to pick up something for a online college my transcripts. Well I wonder if the teachers I met when I was there are still there read more

My son receives after school tutoring from Second Start and since then I have seen his grades improve and he is much more motivated and focused. The tutors and staff are professional, educated and trustworthy. I ended up enrolling him until the end of the school year and next year as a senior will enroll him in the SAT program. I sent him to Sylvan last year and it was a wast of our money, I recommend Second Start for any academic, social or motivation improvement for any child. read more

Having a special needs student, the challenges are huge! Pine Hill was referred to us by East School district. THE BEST THING EVER TO HAPPEN TO OUR SON! THE STAFF WAS EXCELLENT!! HE RECEIVED THE ACADEMIC AS WELL AS THE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND THERAPEUTIC ATTENTION REQUIRED. I have talked to other parents and they have had similar experiences. No place is perfect but I cannot imagine a better school with as difficult a population. read more