Educational Philosophy

Our Educational Philosophy - Integral Formation®: Developing the Whole Person

Fundamental and distinctive to the Pinecrest Academy educational philosophy is Integral Formation^®. This proven method involves the concentrated, systematic and directed way of educating a child who becomes capable of projecting God’s love into the wider community and culture around him or her. It lays the foundation and provides the opportunity for the Holy Spirit to work in the essence of the human person: the intrinsic powers of intellect and will. We view Integral Formation^® as four pillars: Intellectual, Human, Spiritual, and Apostolic Formation.

In short, Integral Formation® is the key to preparing your child to become a mature, confident leader who is prepared to build a successful career, marriage, family and community.

Intellectual Formation is the formation of the well-formed mind. A well-formed mind achieves the essential purpose of the mind: the discovery of what is true. Your child will be encouraged to exercise each facet of his or her intellect through analysis, synthesis, relation, and expression. At Pinecrest, we educate students to have the mind of a leader: one who not only discovers truth but can also communicate, convince and lead others to the truth.

Human Formation focuses on forging integrity of character, which is the true foundation of joy. This is done through developing leadership skills, forming habits of virtue, and fostering personal responsibility and internalized discipline. Human formation is intended to make your child a man or woman of principle, a true leader, an asset for today and a necessity for the world of tomorrow.

Spiritual Formation will guide your child to recognize the work of God in his or her life and encourage a close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This formation occurs in a spiritual environment that encourages the life of grace through daily prayer and practice of virtues, opportunities for sacraments, and theology classes that study the fullness of Catholic faith in all its richness.

Apostolic Formation is generosity of self to Christ. Apostolic formation at Pinecrest brings Intellectual, Human, and Spiritual formation into harmony by providing the opportunity to discern Christ’s call for your child’s life, embrace that call and to bring others to know Him as well.