For Lisa and John Hayes, Pine Crest quickly became more than a school. It became a place where their children could thrive, explore and grow in ways they hadn’t imagined.
Their journey to Pine Crest began when their son, Joseph ’31, attended a Pine Crest summer program as a kindergartner. Lisa recalls watching his excitement as he came home each day brimming with curiosity and questions. “I just saw a different side of him,” she said. “His brain was on fire, and I hadn’t really seen that from school before. I thought, if this is camp, then the academics must be similar.”
That spark led the Hayes family to enroll their three children at Pine Crest, where they’ve discovered opportunities for each of them to pursue their passions. Their daughter Anna ’32, a swimmer, has also found joy in the arts—last year she performed in the school’s production of “Aladdin.” Joseph, a golfer, thrives in competitive robotics and the Technology Students Association (TSA), enjoying the unique opportunity to balance athletics and STEM. Their youngest, Gia ’35, in third grade, is exploring her own path and shows signs she may follow her love of running.
“The beauty of Pine Crest is that all three of our kids, who are so different, can find what they love on one campus,” Lisa said. “There’s truly something for everyone.”
The Hayes family’s generosity to Pine Crest is guided by that same philosophy. Education, Lisa explains, is one of their greatest passions and an area they believe is worth supporting wholeheartedly. “Education is such a valuable asset for every child,” she said. “It will always be on our radar, especially when it comes to supporting teachers and professional development. We want to partner with the school to make sure teachers feel supported in their careers, because everyone benefits from that.”
Lisa also emphasizes that giving feels natural because of the thoughtful way Pine Crest approaches its future. “The school is not complacent where they are. They’re always looking for the next step,” Lisa said. “Whether it’s partnerships with institutions like the London School of Economics or entrepreneurial classes in the Upper School, Pine Crest is always striving to innovate. As a parent, that’s exciting.”
Pine Crest School and the London School of Economics hosted the inaugural Innovation Festival at the Upper School in January 2025
The School's commitment to building leaders matches that spirit of innovation. Lisa has watched Joseph, who is naturally reserved, step into a new level of responsibility since entering Middle School. “For him to just know what he needs to do, contact his teachers and step up without me telling him—that comes from the school,” she said. “It’s not just academics. Pine Crest is preparing them to be functioning adults.”
The Hayes family has also felt supported through Pine Crest’s commitment to partnership with parents. Lisa points to programs like Head of Lower School Dr. Kristin Sheely’s parent book clubs, which open conversations on topics such as social media and adolescence. “It’s not something where she’s teaching us—it’s just gathering parents to discuss what is happening, and it’s so helpful,” Lisa said. “It makes me feel like the School isn’t just supporting my kids—it’s supporting us as parents too.”
Although the Hayes family has only been at Pine Crest for two years, they already feel deeply connected. John grew up locally and remembers running on the Pine Crest track and swimming in the pool as a child while attending another area school. For Lisa, who moved to South Florida from Buffalo more than 20 years ago, Pine Crest represents not just a school but a community for her children to grow up alongside their many cousins and extended family.
Whether it’s the myriad of opportunities on campus, the balance of academics and extracurriculars or the community spirit that defines Pine Crest, the Hayes family is grateful for what the school has brought into their lives—and excited to give back in ways that will impact students and teachers for years to come.