Pinecone Active Learning

San Jose, United States

4.2

9 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 408-270-4548
Website:
www.pineconelearning.com
Address:
2921 The Villages Pkwy, San Jose, CA, 95135
Evergreen
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Today

Today –
Local time (San Jose) 21:30 Friday, 29 November 2024

Business hours

Monday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tuesday 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Wednesday 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Thursday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Math (from learning numbers through HS Geometry), Reading (comprehension, vocabulary, grammar), and Writing (basic elements, strategies and genres).

Ages 3 through HS.

Individualized programs with one-​on-​one assistance. Daily assignments and twice weekly after school drop-​in classes. Affordable monthly tuition, no contracts. Pinecone helps students who need review and practice to master topics they missed or struggled with in school. It also helps students progress to advanced work beyond grade level. It is individually tailored to each student’s needs. Pinecone is based on CACC standards for Math and Language/​Arts.

History

Established in 2008.

Vivian Hobbs, director of Pinecone, sold a previous learning center and opened the doors to Pinecone at Club One in Silver Creek Sportsplex in April of 2008. After a few moves, we finally found our home at the Villages Plaza — a peaceful, pretty learning center. We have kids ranging from gifted to those with all kinds of learning issues, but the consistent, sequential and tailored program works for all if they stick with it.

Meet the Business Owner

Vivian H.

Business Owner

Vivian Hobbs has an MS Degree in Industrial Psychology with a minor in mathematics and research design. She has held research and math-​related positions in Silicon Valley for the last 30 years as well as operated two businesses of her own, including a well known supplemental education franchise.

Throughout the years, Ms. Hobbs has remained involved with children’s education and research on best methods for learning. She has visited the world-​renowned pre-​schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy to learn more about «Active Learning» for young children. She is currently a member of Silicon Valley Education Foundation and the Evergreen Elementary Education Foundation.

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9 reviews of Pinecone Active Learning

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Fremont, CA
So glad to have found this place for our 4 years old son. Ms. Vivian and her team was amazing. The facility is in a strip mall, but very nice and quiet location. The desk design for 4 kids with one teacher. Price is affordable and worth it for credibility of the teacher. Our son goes there twice a week for 30 mins. He been here for a few months now and we sees how much he has progress. He been attending preschool for 2 years part time and he was playing more than learning and usually forget what he learn after we pick him up. So we decided to have him going to tutor. It’s takes work and commitment for parents and child, but its a great system to have. It encourage us to be on the same page with our child. Ms. Vivian and the staff there are very nice, patient, and great to work with. I would recommend them to anyone who cares about their child success.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
I went to check out Pinecone because I had heard so many positive comments from my neighbors. The facility is airy, well-​lit, clean, well-​organized, and conveniently located on a quiet street with plenty of parking. On that particular day, I saw three tutors each working with 3 – 4 children. Everyone was engaged and appeared to be enjoying the learning experience. Vivian welcomed me with a smile and was gracious enough to spend a few minutes chatting with me. She seems to be a kind and generous woman who obviously cares deeply about what she does to help the children in her program. A parent who has a child either struggling academically or working ahead of peers at school, and need support should consider Pinecone.
Place rating: 5
Iowa City, IA
I had thought that my son George had some major learning difficulties. I took him to Pinecone and Vivian was willing to work with him. He came out of his shell. It wasn’t easy but she didnt give up. And she worked well me as well. I was very impressed with the progress that George made. Vivian can forsee what each individual child with need to succeed in the long term. Its not a quick fix its hard and it takes time to reach these goal.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
We started the Pinecone program this September so we are still relatively new it.
What I can say is that Vivian is a wonderful and caring person and mentor to the children.
Both of my children have been in several other programs and this is the first one that they rave about. Vivian has a way with teaching her students. She encourages them instead of making them fearful. From what I see, she makes learning fun with simple rewards. She is strict but in a good/​nice way that seems to work for us.
Yes it does take parental involvement, discipline, and follow through. But I think these are fundamental values that will help your children succeed. I don’t understand the negative review in regards to Vivian’s intimidating style. It sounds like perhaps this person was in a different program?
So far, I’m seeing a lot of progress and positiveness from Vivian and the program. What I also love is that Vivian is always very responsive whenever I have any issues or concerns.
In addition, my son feels comfortable enough with Vivian that we also hired her for personal tutoring.
I will update if anything changes but from what I see so far, I like the program and Vivian a lot.
Place rating: 2
San Jose, CA
I do like the work materials and getting timed on the basic Math fundamental concepts. But, unfortunately Vivian only taught my daughter at the last week of the session. Otherwise, she was given the workbook materials and was told to work on it. Too many students for Vivian to give personal attention. Vivian sounded helpful and sweet on the phone. But, in person, my daughter was afraid of her. I believe in an environment that kids love to learn, get encouraged and have fun but not to be put down. This is what my child had told me. Sadly to say, we’re not coming back.
Place rating: 5
Los Gatos, CA
When my son was in first grade I enrolled him in Vivian’s Kumon class in Los Gatos. He progressed quickly and gained confidence in his abilities. We continued on with Kumon after Vivian left the center and another instructor took over. We stayed with her for a while, then dropped out for a year. We re-​enrolled and after a few months transferred to another Kumon Center. We only stayed with the second Kumon Center for another couple of months.
Why did we drop and change twice after Vivian left? My son and I had become accustomed to Vivian’s mentoring style. She’s very thorough, but she doesn’t intimidate. She truly cares about every child and adjusts her approach to their personalities. Her sense of humor and kind nature actively help kids to break through learning roadblocks. She is passionate about teaching, which shows in the helpful communications she sends out on a regular basis. My son is now in 7th grade and when we heard that Vivian opened a center in Los Gatos we were quick to enroll. It took several months to make sure there were no missing elements in his math skills, but he will soon be starting algebra.
Pinecone math is ideal because it follows CA State educational standards. In addition to doing traditional math problems, there are «thought» problems which require analysis of variables to find a solution. That was missing in Kumon, even though it’s an important element of public school math. The program requires parental participation, ie, correcting homework and, of course, encouraging the child to do the workbooks every night.
Place rating: 5
Los Gatos, CA
My son went to Ms. Vivian’s previous learning center in Los Gatos for three years. He became quite advanced in math and required some help with difficult new concepts, but because he had mastered everything leading up to the new part, he didn’t need that much help. Ms. Vivian guided him all the way and now he is taking Calculus BC class in his Senior Year. I am so glad to see her back in Los Gatos. She has even offered my son a job this summer. Good structured system, great instructor, immeasurable benefits for the kids.
I recommend Pinecone to all my friends and neighbors with elementary school kids.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
My husband and I decided to put all three of our kids in Pinecone last January. We were looking for a program that would help improve both reading/​writing and math. At the time, our kids were 4, 6 and 8. We noticed an immediate improvement in my 6 year old. Her reading and math turned a corner very quickly. Homework became less of a chore and her math and spelling tests improved. All three of my kids made huge progress while at Pinecone. Sometimes we were faced with the challenge of doing the work at home but, this is nothing new to our household and we found ways to motivate the kids to do the work.
What impressed me the most about Pinecone is Vivian, the owner. She knows how to motivate the kids and works extra hard to find ways to meet each and every child’s needs. I always felt as if my kids were the only ones… because she gives you that type of attention! She went above and beyond for my guys and for that I cannot say enough good things about the program. She will send you informative emails and is always looking to be current in the education of her students. THANK YOU Vivian for caring so much about my kids and really helping give them a foundation to work with.
Place rating: 1
San Jose, CA
My son had gone to the Silver Creek location of Pinecone Active Learning and the learnings and experience was not great. I would not recommend.
Again, my personal opinion — others may differ.