Pacific Academy

Back in April 2017, I was introduced to the PA family as a potential student. Mr. Keith Corpus, Ms. Kelly Chu, and Dr. Hans Chi were all present to welcome me with open arms as Ms. Laura Nguyen-Brown gave me an insightful and informative tour of the campus. Provided that I had recently attended a school of over 1,200 students, I had feared that my movement to a smaller private academy with just over 130 students would be difficult. I was closing an old chapter of my life, ready to open the next. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and was admitted as a new Freshman.

As I reflect back on the 2017-2018 school year, I realize how little I knew that joining this family was one of the greatest decisions of my life. I am forever grateful to have had an opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. Thank you, Mr. Corpus, Ms. Chu, Dr. Chi, and Ms. Brown, for welcoming and setting me on the path towards my dreams. My time at this school has been the greatest and I am so grateful and privileged to have had been a part of this family. Here, at Pacific Academy, I created friendships in 10 months that would have otherwise taken lifetimes. I was part of an inseparable and loving family. I was home. Nothing could be better.

In October 2017, I embarked to Joshua Tree National Park on an Outdoor Education excursion. Together, we created bonds and precious memories that will never be forgotten. We sat around the campfire and told spooky stories as we munched on our s'mores. Shortly after, I journeyed to the east coast to Philadelphia and the District of Columbia on a college tour. I made more friends, a few of whom recently graduated. Words cannot describe the magical relationships made here at Pacific Academy.

Having Pacific Academy as a part of my life, has changed my future for the better. My dreams and aspirations are more streamlined and clear. My commitments and extracurricular activities are respected by the students, administration, and faculty. I was able to establish a Model United Nations club with an active team. Together, we competed at USC and UC Irvine. Our team performed phenomenally, and as we await the next year, the team is preparing to compete at the 2019 internationally recognized UC Berkeley Conference. It is evident that the staff believe in the students and that the students value this trust and support.

Here at Pacific Academy, we have a saying, "Opportunity to Be Me." Every student is provided the necessary resources and tools to succeed and find purpose. Clubs are created and teams are formed all through student vision. Through this, individualization and teacher-support makes this school unlike any other. The end goal for our students is not for them to attend great universities like Stanford or Harvard, rather, it is to find the purpose for attending such great schools. The students of Pacific Academy are here to change the world so that the children of today and the adults of tomorrow may lead lives free from disparity. Pacific Academy is truly a school of miracles... a school where dreams become reality.

We're the proud parents of a 14 year old son Brandon P, who served as the Associated Student Body and Speech & Debate President of Jeffrey Trail Middle School in Irvine during 2016-17. He won 1st Place Speaker at the Orange County Debate League Championship Tournament on May 6, 2017.

He also won Best Delegate at Whitney High School, Model United Nations Conference XIV on May 14, 2016. That summer, he debuted as a solo cellist in Germany and Austria. Brandon has a 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and participated in triathlon, water polo, and chess. He's been recognized twice as a Young Master Artist.

Brandon is working diligently to gain admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He plans to study law and serve his country one day. Brandon has always embraced their cadet motto, "Duty, Honor, Country!" We believe as parents, we have the sacred duty to raise our kids to be decent human beings first. Then, provide them the very best education. So that they may grow to become good contributing members of society.

As we reflected on these thoughts, we urgently needed guidance from teachers who shared our family values. We considered staying with the public school system. However, our children became entangled in the common core practices, which held them back. Our schools have become overcrowded, making the student-teacher ratio unsustainable.

After researching several private schools in Orange County, our family decided to enroll our son and daughter in Pacific Academy, Irvine. The teachers have advance degrees, and it revealed stunning contrast to the public schools. Since they started attending PA in August, they've made good friends, they're happier, and improving their grades. If there's any parent considering sending their children to a private school with big hopes and dreams, I'd highly recommend Pacific Academy!

With best wishes,
James and Joyce P.