PINECREST, FLa. — A small school in Pinecrest is making big waves online after a video of third graders dancing went viral. But it wasn’t just their moves grabbing attention -- it was the message behind them.

Tucked away in Pinecrest, the Mandelstam School is a place that, you could say, rises above the rest.

At the school, third graders don’t just hit the books -- they soar, literally.

Along with rigorous academics, students take mandatory gymnastics lessons and dive deep into the arts.

“It’s just beautiful growing together and having this community grow together,” said Allen Mandelstam-Soussa, co-owner of the school.

Inside, the classroom recently looked more like a stage, as students prepared for a musical -- but not the kind you might expect.

Think circus-style acrobatics, performed by 8- and 9-year-olds. No special cushions if they fall -- just talent, plenty of practice and grit.

“I learned how to do upside-down splits on rings,” said Charlie, a third grader.

But it’s not just about performance. Everything here carries meaning.

Recently, one performance in particular went viral — a traditional Pakistani dance full of color and rhythm that racked up more than one million views online.

“Yeah, when you heard about a million views, what was that like?” a student was asked.

“I was like, just a dance,” said Pheonix, a third grader.

Each year, students choose a country to study throughout the year. This time, they picked Pakistan to celebrate their classmate Elon — and fully embraced it.

From the clothing to the handmade art, every detail was meant to make him feel special.

“He’s one of my best friends,” Pheonix said.

“I was really excited that people could learn more about my culture,” Elon said.

And people did. The dance even made headlines in Pakistan.

“I never knew a kid’s video could get that many views,” Elon added.

For Elon’s mother, the moment goes beyond the spotlight.

“These students are being raised to be leaders that are empathetic, have cultural understanding, and ultimately I hope see the humanity behind the headlines these days and become adults in the future that are gonna lead us to a more peaceful and brighter future,” said Sultana Qureshi.

In a world that can often feel divided, this school stands apart.

Leave it to kids to remind us that lifting each other up is something we can all reach for.

“It makes me feel proud that I’m in this school,” Charlie said.

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