“A LOG, A CEDAR TREE FOR SHADE, A SHEEP-SHED FOR A HOME, A DREAM, A VISION, A RESISTLESS URGE.” - LAURENCE CLIFTON JONES

Mission

We prepare leaders for tomorrow’s challenges by empowering learners, regardless of income, with a holistic approach that develops the head, heart, and hands, rooted in a faith-inspired community and inclusive African American ethos.

Vision

Our vision is to produce entrepreneurial citizens, a community of learners who are curious, creative and constructive, whose impact will change the world. We accomplish this by integrating leading edge experiential learning with a proven approach to personal and leadership development. Our farm and facilities, our family culture, and our ideals and values make us uniquely qualified to achieve our mission.

Our Core Values

LIFE²

At The Piney Woods School, our educational philosophy is built upon the foundation of LIFE squared, a guiding framework that shapes every aspect of our community. LIFE squared stands for Love, Integrity, Faith, Excellence, and Empowerment. These values inspire and drive our mission to nurture young people into thoughtful, compassionate leaders.

Love: We believe in the power of love to bind us together as a family, where every individual feels seen, valued, and supported. This love fuels our commitment to helping students find their purpose and voice.
Integrity: Our commitment to integrity calls us to teach students to live purposefully, pursue justice, and honor both their spiritual freedom and the world around them.
Faith: Rooted in Christian values, we foster an environment that encourages personal fulfillment, collective harmony, and the discovery of one’s life’s calling.
Excellence: We strive for academic and physical excellence, envisioning a campus where every space serves as a classroom, cultivating intellectual curiosity and physical exploration.
Empowerment: At Piney Woods, we empower our students to discover true freedom through conscience and responsibility, preparing them to thoughtfully contribute to the world around them.

This framework is at the heart of Piney Woods, guiding us as we create a community where all students are equipped to thrive both in their personal journeys and in the world beyond.