As students and staff return to campus for another dynamic school year, families across West Cobb are taking a closer look at Pine Mountain Middle School.
To provide an inside look at what makes this campus thrive, Dr. Nelson, Principal of Pine Mountain Middle School, shares insights on PMMS’s boutique educational model, state-recognized academic growth, life skills education, and new student initiatives for the school year.
Q&A with Dr. Nelson, PMMS Principal
Q: Over the past couple of years, Pine Mountain has increasingly come to fit the definition of a "boutique middle school." How do you define that model, and what does it mean for our families?
Dr. Nelson: "Meeting the definition of a boutique middle school has been an intentional journey for us. It means our families get the best of both worlds: Cobb County’s rock-solid, top-performing curriculum delivered inside a small, high-touch environment featuring a 12:1 to 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
We have roughly 500 students on an expansive 24.5-acre campus in a 170,000-square-foot facility—giving us about 340 square feet of space per student. From our calm, uncrowded hallways to our inviting dining spaces, every physical detail is designed to foster dignity, comfort, and pride. Most importantly, our highly qualified teachers know every single child by name. At one of the most transformative times in a young person's life, our students get individualized support and room to grow rather than getting lost in a crowd of peers."
Q: You place a strong emphasis on character and personal development. How does Pine Mountain’s "CLIMB" framework instill essential life skills in your students?
Dr. Nelson: "Middle school is about far more than just preparing for tests—it's about teaching practical, real-world life skills that serve a person for a lifetime. We explicitly teach these foundational life skills through our CLIMB framework:
Commitment (The Life Skill of Perseverance): Pledging dedication to long-term personal goals, self-improvement, and pushing forward when facing life's obstacles.
Leadership (The Life Skill of Influence): Taking ownership, inspiring peers, and stepping up as a positive force in family, community, and future career paths.
Integrity (The Life Skill of Accountability): Living with uncompromised honesty, strong moral character, and doing the right thing—even when no one is watching.
Mindfulness (The Life Skill of Self-Regulation): Cultivating self-awareness, empathy, emotional intelligence, and healthy personal boundaries in a fast-paced, digital world.
Balance (The Life Skill of Sustainable Living): Learning how to harmonize hard work and professional ambition with physical health, creative passions, and personal well-being.
Through our CLIMB life skills framework, we aren't just teaching kids how to be successful students; we are equipping them with the practical life skills and personal grounding necessary to thrive at every stage of adulthood."
Q: Pine Mountain has compiled a remarkable track record of academic honors. How do your faculty and the instruction they provide drive those achievements?
Dr. Nelson: "It starts with our master educators. 100% of our core academic teachers are state gifted-certified, and our team is specifically trained in Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) frameworks, making us early trailblazers in Georgia’s GRE4T Schools personalized learning initiative.
Under our current leadership team, our staff has been honored with both the Cobb County District Middle Level Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year awards.
That dedication yields real results: Pine Mountain is a Two-Time GaDOE State Math Leader with a 100% mastery rate in High School Algebra, and we are ranked in the Top 25% of all public middle schools in Georgia by U.S. News & World Report."
Q: Pine Mountain’s campus culture has a few unique distinctions, including building-wide Sign Language and national diversity rankings. How do those shape daily life on campus?
Dr. Nelson: "We are proud to be a Cobb County district-designated site for building-wide American Sign Language (ASL) integration. Infusing ASL throughout our school boosts students' brain power and cognitive flexibility and creates a culture of deep inclusivity.
Additionally, Niche ranks Pine Mountain in the Top 2% nationally for diversity (#548 out of 27,000+ public middle schools in the U.S.). Our students learn in a rich, real-world environment that prepares them to communicate and lead globally.
Combine that with our recognition as a 2024 GaDOE Distinguished PBIS Recipient and a current 99.49% daily incident-free rate, and you have a campus culture built on safety, dignity, and mutual respect."
Q: What new initiatives are launching this school year?
Dr. Nelson: "Several innovative programs are being introduced to celebrate and empower our students:
The Altitude CLUB (66 VIP Lounge): A positive reward space where students earn lounge access and exclusive privileges by demonstrating CLIMB life skills and individual academic growth.
Principal’s Student Advisory Council (PSAC): Meeting regularly with a diverse panel of student leaders, giving them a direct seat at the table in shaping campus culture.
Beacon Growth Assessments: Assessing student learning three times a year to map progress in real-time and tailor instruction immediately.
Expanded Pathways: Offering specialized reading and gifted support alongside CTAE programs in Engineering, Robotics, Coding, and Fine Arts."
Q: What message is there for prospective parents deciding on middle school options?
Dr. Nelson: "Families are encouraged not to rely on old neighborhood rumors—come see the reality firsthand! Pine Mountain matches the club offerings of the largest middle schools with 17 active student organizations and Junior Mustang athletic pathways through Kennesaw Mountain High School, but delivers it all inside a calm, 12:1 boutique setting.
Join the administrative team for an upcoming morning 'Coffee & Campus Walkthrough' during live school hours. Walk the halls, meet the teachers, and experience the Pine Mountain difference for yourself!"*
Experience Pine Mountain Firsthand
Stay Connected: Log into the CTLS parent portal for daily classroom updates and school communications.
Book a Campus Tour: Contact the main office at (678) 594-8252 to schedule a walkthrough with Dr. Nelson and the administrative team!
Use this LINK to sign up for a date and time that works best for you.
- August 28th - 10:00 AM
- September 18th - 10:00 AM
- October 3Oth- 10:00 AM
- November 20th - 10:00 AM
- December 11th - 10:00 AM
- January 29th - 10:00 AM
- February 26th - 10:00 AM
- March 26th - 10:00 AM
- April 30th - 10:00 AM
