The Nel Family USA journey
July 12, 2021
We left South Africa and everything we knew and loved in September 2018 when our son Ethan was mid way through Grade 10 in the High School at PWC and our daughter Madison mid way through her Grade 7 and final year in the PWC Prep School.
We needed to spend close to 4 months in Grenada in the Carribean as part of our visa requirements. There we quazi home schooled the children with local tutors helping them to understand the US school curriculum. Although it looked to many to be paradise it was tough on our children who had little to no social interaction with peers, had to be self disciplined, learn on their own and try to figure out the US schooling system.
We arrived in December of 2018 and the children began their US schooling in January. Ethan went mid-way into his "Sophomore Year" 10th Grade at a private catholic school and Madison went into the middle of the final year 8th Grade of the US Public Middle School program. Madi found the school really tough, not the school work but the social interaction. She had left behind a large, close and very special group of friends at PWC and knew no one, for six months she had to dig deep.
Ethan has now graduated from High School after spending the last 18 months on line due to the Covid19 pandemic. Despite this and all the changes he achieved a 3.8 GPA (equal to an A Matric) AP and Honors classes being taken back to back to get him where he needed to be after his late start into the US educational system, a 1440 on his SAT exam (placed in the 97th percentile in the US). During a highly impacted year of College applications he was accepted to three of the top Computer Science Colleges in California and will be attending the prestigious UC Santa Cruz to study a Computer Science degree in the Fall of 2021.
Madison has completed her Sophomore Year 10th Grade and will start as a Junior, 11th Grade in the Fall at San Clemente High School. Despite changing schools three times in two years she has achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA score. She has been part of the Cheer Squad and despite huge adjustments socially now has a close, supportive and special group of friends. Madi plans to do a Marketing Degree at an in-state University when she graduates High School in 2023.
We cannot thank Pecanwood College enough for the IEB system and the incredibly high level of education our children were privileged to receive during their seven and a half years at PWC. This foundation was paramount in them not just adjusting but flying in the US education system. The dedication, passion and commitment of all the teachers at PWC set them up to succeed not just in their education but as respectful and highly moraled individuals who the teachers in the US cannot not praise enough.
We will forever be grateful for each and every staff member at Pecanwood College who were each uniquely responsible for shaping and resulting in the incredible and resilient young adults we have today in the USA.
Ethan still fondly talks about his two favorite teachers of all time Mr. Nainar and Mr. Baines. That's the profound effect PWC teachers have had on our children.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts we are forever indebted to you all. God bless.
Twenty years of trusted education meets expanded opportunities, greater accessibility and future-ready learning from January 2027. Families across Hartbeespoort can look forward to an even stronger independent school offering as Pecanwood College becomes Pinnacle College Pecanwood from January 2027. The transition brings together two decades of local educational excellence with the academic strength, innovation and opportunities offered by the expanding Pinnacle Colleges network. Current and prospective families stand to benefit from a school that retains everything the community values while opening the door to even greater opportunities. Pinnacle College Pecanwood will preserve the school's caring culture, close relationships, boarding facilities, IEB curriculum, sporting tradition and vibrant co-curricular programme, while providing students access to a broader network recognised for academic excellence, future-focused learning and preparation for life beyond school. Pecanwood College has proudly served the Hartbeespoort community for 20 years, offering education from the early years through to Grade 12, including boarding. Dedicated teachers, a nurturing environment, strong IEB academic results and diverse sporting and cultural opportunities have established the school as a respected educational institution in the region. That solid foundation will now be enhanced through the wider Pinnacle Colleges network. Students and teachers will benefit from shared academic expertise, established operational excellence and opportunities to participate in broader academic, cultural and sporting initiatives across multiple campuses. Pinnacle Colleges equips students for tertiary education and successful careers through a balanced approach that combines academic excellence with innovation, career guidance, coding and robotics, technology-enabled learning and holistic personal development. Respect, responsibility and a strong sense of community remain central to every campus experience. Academic success already defines Pecanwood College. The Class of 2025 achieved an impressive 98.59% matric pass rate, a 94.36% Bachelor's Degree pass rate and an average of 1.9 distinctions per student. Pinnacle College Pecanwood will build on these achievements through strengthened academic systems, shared expertise and continued commitment to outstanding IEB education. The name Pinnacle College Pecanwood honours both the school's proud heritage and its exciting future. Twenty years of commitment by students, teachers, families and the wider community remain firmly embedded in the school's identity, while its new name reflects membership of one of South Africa's fastest-growing independent school groups dedicated to innovation, accessibility and student success. Hartbeespoort families can now enjoy the best of both worlds: a close-knit community lifestyle paired with access to a high-quality independent education close to home. Pinnacle College Pecanwood is well positioned to become the school of choice for families seeking exceptional academic opportunities, future-ready skills and an environment where every student can thrive.
A huge thank you to our community for supporting Slipper Day 2025! See how your contribution makes a difference for children in need. Read more here!
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Year-end fatigue hitting hard? Get expert tips on how to beat exhaustion and help your child finish their final exams with confidence. Finish the year strong!
Make your High School Open Day count! Our essential checklist helps parents ask the right questions and get the info they need. Download your free checklist!
