Since 1973

A School of Thought

We inspire lifelong learning through a Socratic approach to a K–8 education combining academic rigor and the arts

The Learning Experience

3 young students

Arts & Academics

Our whole-child focus integrates a vibrant K–8 arts program with rigorous academics and supportive social-emotional learning.

Socratic Approach

Hearing and holding disparate views cultivates broad-thinking, passionate learners. We teach ideas without ideology: how to think, not what to think.

Differentiated Instruction

We believe our community’s strength and vibrancy benefits from the diversity of its members—across race, sexual orientation, gender, ability, age, nationality, and religion. One community, many perspectives.

Diversity & Belonging

Knowing your child deeply allows us to keep them engaged and challenged, ensuring every student works at and just beyond their comfort zone – the space where deep learning, and confidence take flight.

Our Values

Curiosity

Our students’ natural curiosity is nurtured through the guidance of dedicated teachers who inspire and cultivate each child’s sense of wonder. Students learn to observe carefully, think creatively, and ask open-ended questions, as they engage with the world around them.

Inquiry

An open inquiry culture in the classroom allows students to ask challenging questions, openly and honestly share their thoughts, explore evidence, reflect on their own thinking, and compare it to that of others, in pursuit of deeper understanding and problem solving.

students at science museum

Community

Black Pine Circle honors both individuality and the shared connections that unite us. Students are encouraged to explore their authentic selves and experience a strong sense of belonging. Through collaboration and engagement with diverse perspectives, students develop cultural understanding and the confidence to think freely.

3 students

Voice

Our students are encouraged to develop and share what makes them unique. We facilitate multiple paths of belonging and self-expression with the goal of personal discovery. By graduation, our students have a clear sense of who they are, what they value, and how their voices contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Why Families Choose BPC

  • “A strong sense of community, rigorous academics, and a loving culture are what stand out for me. My own school experience was being taught a lot of what to think, so what also really resonates with me is Black Pine Circle’s Socratic Method–it isn't teaching students what to think, rather it’s teaching them how to think. It is very clearly front and center in everything that the school does.”

    Vivek Shah
    2nd Grade Parent

  • “Having a background in education myself, I wanted to find a stable space with a teaching staff that enjoyed being there. I believe a happy and fulfilled faculty, who have a voice and community themselves, pass on that joy and comfort to their students. What I thank BPC for is the opportunity and the space for the kids to feel comfortable in their own skin.”

    Thao Nguyen-Horowitz
    3rd, 6th & 8th Grade Parent

  • “I describe Black Pine Circle as a school that is very supportive and encouraging of children in developing a growth mindset. Really encouraging students to be thoughtful, compassionate. I was really drawn to the Socratic Seminars, just encouraging students to be very critical with thought and very critical in terms of what questions they need to ask.”

    Kwame Denianke
    8th Grade Parent

  • “We're totally new to Black Pine Circle. Everybody's just been so kind and intentional with making everybody feel included. The kids are happy, they're thriving. And I sleep well at night knowing that I don't have to do the school battle in the morning. We love it here.”

    Wren Amos
    4th & 7th Grade Parent

  • “What I love most about Black Pine Circle is that these words–curiosity and community and inquiry and voice– aren't just values of the school, they're intrinsic in the teachers here. BPC teachers are pushing your kids to be their very best because they're doing the same in their own careers. To have that inspiration and that push from your teachers as well as that support for your kids has been defining for us.”

    Alex Ashton
    8th Grade & Class of 2023 Parent

  • “I have to say I love that the school has specialists for each of the subjects. They have to work with multiple different people and learn from different people who have different styles of teaching.”

    Danielle Velasco
    Kindergarten & 3rd Grade Parent

  • “The community of parents is unlike anything I've experienced. Our world is made up of the BPC community now. There are so many inspiring people. The families at BPC are a whole host of really brilliant, but also really down to earth and really caring individuals. These friendships have evolved to be really deep over time.”

    Chris Lillevand Hendricks
    4th Grade Parent