Our son was attending a large public high school when the COVID-19 pandemic started. This highly rated public high school quickly transitioned to an online learning environment, but only provided one synchronous lecture per week for each class. As our son, and many of his classmates, fell further and further behind in their online classes, we repeatedly reached out to the school administration, including the principal, as did the parents of our son's school friends. However, the school's administration was uniformly unresponsive to our concerns. So, we decided to take our son out of the public school system, and place him in a private school. Our son transferred to Pacific Academy during his junior year of high school. I really can't say enough good things about our experience at Pacific Academy over the past almost two years. Everyone from the principal to the teachers and administrative staff have all been amazing. They are all very passionate about their mission to educate their students, as well as to help their students grow and develop into well-rounded young men and women. The small class sizes allow for a very personalized approach to teaching, and both the teachers and the principal are very interactive and collaborative with parents. The quality of teaching in all of our son's classes has been exceptional, and all of his teachers have welcomed engagement with us. (Unlike at the public high school our son previously attended.) I would especially like to recognize the principal at Pacific Academy, Keith Corpus, and the Director of Student Affairs, Jasmine Hsu. Their dedication, compassion, and empathy towards their students, and their families, has been extraordinary. They have both also been tremendously supportive as students, parents, and teachers have all worked together to manage the enormous (and ever-changing) impact of the pandemic. Honestly, we have come to view Mr. Corpus and Ms. Hsu as if they were part of our family, and we are so grateful to them for their dedication and commitment to their students, including our son. My only regret is that we did not transfer our son to Pacific Academy sooner. We love this school, and its faculty and staff, and we are so grateful that our son has been able to attend Pacific Academy! read more

This school hired unprofessional teachers like Ms Kuo in 4th grade who wasn't a certificated teacher and was very mean to kids. It is unacceptable that they allow their teachers to use language abuse on our kids! Principal didn't even care about the issue. Very disappointing. read more

I have been at this school for the past 4 years and I can say with confidence that this school is the perfect environment for a safe and engaging learning opportunity. As an European-international student, I struggled a lot at first with my courses but the teachers were nice enough to guide me throughout the process. I went from barely being able to speak English to -as you can tell- perfectly being able to express myself. Not only did PA help with me with my academic courses, but it also encouraged me to become involved in extracurricular activities. From winning national Model UN awards at New York to building a solar powered car with my fellow school friends, the amount of opportunities this school has presented me is incredibly diverse. PA also has great college counselling, the counsellors are always so willing to help the students. I can feel a true bond between teachers and students that I have never felt anywhere else. Now a USC student, I try to visit them as often as possible. Overall, PA is a great school if you want to make the most out of your high school experience and increase your chances of making it to a good college. read more

Pacific Academy - Solar Car Club's Go-Kart (built entirely by students). - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Irvine, California

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It's been 3 years since the Pacific Academy Scam my family. A lot of you guy asked me for how much I ended pay for the tuition. For my brother and I after school program plus the college planning fee combined, roughly about 60k in total. The the owner said two school aren't in the system. Yeah, she is right. But run by the same staff and same teacher also the same owner. Yeah, two different school. Have fun with the school, enjoy it. read more

When I saw last week a friend of mine posted on social media that her daughter in Irvine School District was so happy to start online school and had one hour math every day, I realized that how lucky my daughter was. Pacific Academy resumed the entire curriculum online on March 20th, the day after California lock-down. The Principle and school staff kept frequent communications with students and parents, in both English and Chinese. I was even more impressed by the teachers who reached out to their students in the evenings and on weekends to have 1:1 sessions to endure each student could attend online Zoom classroom with no difficulties. Every morning, my 9th grader starts her online school at her desk by 8am with her laptop and headphone. I'm working from home. I keep her schedule next to my computer so that I can remind myself to prepare lunch for her. This virus pandemic is an unprecedented test for all of us. Pacific Academy demonstrated professionalism, responsiveness, reliability, and leadership to the young generation. It's not just about a few online lessons, I'm certain it'll impact the long-run growth of the young talents. read more

Pacific Academy - Same class schedule for online school from home - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Irvine, California

Pacific Academy is an amazing school that is supportive, loving, and unique. I was a part of Pacific Academy in my junior and senior years of high school and I loved every single day there. The teachers and staff are all very supportive and they are extremely flexible with student schedules. As a pianist, I frequently had to travel for competitions and PA was very understanding. They also provide many opportunities for students to get involved in clubs and even apply for leadership positions. I loved the environment at PA and also enjoyed every club and activity I was a part of. Although the school is small, the community is very tight-knit and that is what I love most about Pacific Academy. PA also provides great activities including Outdoor Ed experiences, dances, interactive school projects, and more. I am also very grateful for the school counselors. They are very experienced and help keep you on track during the college application process. Pacific Academy is really unlike any other high school, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high school in Irvine. It is an amazing experience you will never forget! read more

As a student at Pacific Academy ever since 7th grade all the way to my senior year in high school, I can certainly say that it was a life changing decision to come to this school. As a competitive golfer that has played in national as well as international events, balancing athletics and academics is a struggle that all athletes can relate to. Pacific Academy has enabled me to travel the world while giving me leniency to complete my assignments. They also provide me with a flexible school schedule that allows me to pursue my golf practice and fitness every single day. This school has really given me a platform to thrive and pursue my passions in sports and academics. Without Pacific Academy, I would never be able to commit to Stanford as a D1 collegiate golfer and come out as Rolex Junior Player of the Year in 2019. In addition, all of this wouldn't be possible without the PA staff and teachers. The CEO Ms. Kelly, the principal Mr. Corpus, as well as all my teachers and office staff have really contributed to help me excel in my academic foundation. Missing school is tough, but everyone in PA has cared and gone above and beyond to help and make sure I could handle my work. Last but not least, I have to say that the PA environment is simply amazing. There are so many well rounded students who are amazing at what they do. From music to tennis to dance and so much more, these students become lifelong friends that have your back and you can always learn from them. This school is not just a small private school, but everyone is a family who has passions and love for what they do. All in all, for anyone who wants to develop their talents in sports, music, art, or prefer a small school, and want to build strong academic foundation, I highly recommend Pacific Academy. read more

Choosing Pacific Academy is one of the best choices I have made! When I first moved to the U.S. three years ago, I attended another private school in my neighborhood. Everything seemed awkward and unfamiliar to me. I felt lonely and depressed almost every day, and did not feel like I belong here. Then everything changed when I came to PA. I noticed that teachers cared about and remembered each student on my very first day. What really helped me was PA's small-size class, usually 5-10 students per class, allowing teachers to provide personalized attention to students. In terms of academics, PA focuses on what you can do, and not what the stipulations dictate. PA provided me with tailor-made curriculum plans that perfectly fit in my strength and needs for my future academic path. PA teachers are also willing to use their free time to help the students and provide extra sessions, which was never the case in my previous schools. The class environment at PA allows students to find smooth and strong bonding, and the support from teachers enables students to try different things while being exceptional academically. Regarding extra-curriculums, I had the opportunities to take part in the Science Olympiad and Math Club. Additionally, I established the Murder Mystery Club from scratch, drafting stories and making clues by ourselves, which turned out to be one of the most anticipated events at school for both faculties and students each year. I also organized a benefit concert for Moringa for Love, in which I planned all the performing details and donated all the profits to help Haitians in the aftermaths of a natural disaster. Without the support of PA, none of these would have been possible and I would not have created memorable moments during my high school life and get into Computer Science major at New York University. I'm so thankful for having attended PA when I came to the U.S. PA gave me so much support in both my academic and personal interests, and it is like a second home to me. PA helped me rebuild my confidence and pursue what I love, which eventually got me into NYU majoring in Computer Science. I thank PA for who I am today! read more

As a senior currently near the end of my high school journey and the college application process, I can say with certainty that attending Pacific Academy Irvine has shaped me into the person I am today. From the caring staff and teachers who are passionate about their jobs to the wonderful, friendly students, I have met so many amazing people who inspire me to this day. As I was researching colleges to decide which ones I would apply to, something I often heard from both college students and graduates was that the people are their favorite thing about their school. Though I'm only in high school, I can say the same thing about PA. Whether it was a student who graduated six years ago or my current teachers, the people here are what made my high school experience so enriching and fulfilling. I found the subjects in the classes I took fascinating thanks to having teachers who truly love what they teach, and made so many friends who I know I will still be talking to years from now. Growing up, I had always loved art and music. In fact, I thought that was what I would go into for college and in my future career. Yet, a couple of months ago, as I filled out my college applications, I selected environmental science for my intended major. If you had told elementary me that she would end up going into science, she would think you were crazy. But here I am, excited to go into a field that will help me help the world combat urgent issues such as the climate crisis. Though I of course still love to draw and play instruments, I finally realized what truly fires me up, and PA definitely played a huge role in that discovery. While taking Honors Biology in 9th grade and AP Biology in 10th grade, I felt so drawn to the concepts being taught and realized that it was a field I wanted to go into professionally. In fact, once I voiced this to my bio teacher, he encouraged and supported me beyond what I had expected. He always sent me resources and organizations to look into whenever he came across something he thought I might be interested in, such as a summer internship opportunity at a local ocean research center. He even offered to accompany me on a visit to the nearby Newport Back Bay because he was acquainted with the person in charge and could help me find a way to get involved. It's not everyday that you get teachers who go out of their way to help you succeed, and yet basically all of the teachers at PA are like this. My art teacher emails her students regularly when she gets notified of an upcoming art contest, and my English teacher who taught me only in my first two years of high school still reaches out to me now and then to check up on me. Everyone at PA only wants to see you succeed, just like what families want for their children. And the PA community really is just like a family. read more

It is an awesome school for almost any students. Teachers there really care about your success. As far as I know, PA provides personalized counseling and personalized curriculum to every student, and students' success is always their priority. Lots of cool events: Sports, fun trips, tests preps etc. The curriculum is very rigorous, and it makes sure students won't fall behind when they go to college. Actually, I believe if students grasp most of the materials in PA, when they enter college, their life will be much easier. read more

Pacific Academy Irvine is the most unique school that a student can have the most incredible high school experience at. As a alumni of Pacific Academy, I highly appreciate the patience and the support from all the staffs, who helped me to get to my dream school, University of California San Diego. The college counseling program is definitely the strongest among all other schools in the district. Because of Pacific Academy, I'm a better self, and I highly encourage people in the country, around the world experience what I had experienced here. read more

Pacific Academy - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Irvine, California

Ok, so the first thing is that our daughter used to go to Carden Hall, a small private school in Newport Beach. Great school, but very old fashioned and "sit, don't speak too much, and take the notes on what I write on the chalkboard". That worked fine until she turned about 12 and figured out that this style of learning didn't fit her at all. So we looked around and found Pacific Academy. At first we looked at it and thought "I wonder if this will be a fit, she would only be 1 of about 3 or 4 non-Asian students in the entire school" but it was perfect. The classes are small groups of kids getting together to solve problems or projects, kind of like, you know, the real world? Anyway, she loves it there, her uniqueness is appreciated and the school does a great job of communicating exactly what she needs and how she's doing. It would be cool if they had some more activities on campus like a gym (which they are building) to maybe host martial arts classes after or during school hours, but that's my only wish. So far, it's perfect for her. read more

The Letter of Appreciation Not only did my son have a meaningful and memorable high school experience at Pacific Academy (PA), but he also enrolled at the Tandon School of Engineering at NYU last year. I am so proud of the effort my son dedicated to his studies, but so much of his success is the result of Pacific Academy and their educational standards. I am pleased to share our story here for families who are evaluating academic options for their children, just as we did. My family moved to America in May of 2017. Our community's public school placed my son in the 11th grade because of his age. We began searching for a private school because we thought that a more personalized, intimate environment would better help our son adjust to life in a new country. We visited every private school in the area, but, unfortunately, found that most private schools had closed their applications in January. Pacific Academy alone remained open, seeming like our only choice. I was so upset at that time, worried that PA was too small and had many international students. When I talked with Mrs. Kelly, the CEO of PA, and Mr. Corpus, the Principal of PA, I was impressed by their passion for and positive attitudes towards education. They gave me confidence in PA, and now it is clear that our decision was the correct one. PA was the best school for my son. Everything has two sides. We worried that PA is too small. Because the school is small, my son consistently received individual attention. First, my son felt welcomed from his first day, when almost all of PA's faculty and staff knew him and could address him by name. Second, he received close attention and substantial support from his teachers. For instance, when his math teachers (Ms. Catherine and Mrs. Kile) recognized my son's strength in math, they encouraged him to establish a Math Club to help students needing assistance in math, which allowed my son to develop self-confidence as well. PA also arranged a special fast-paced math plan for my son that allowed him to complete all the high school math courses in the10th grade and then study college-level math, such as multi-variable equations and online courses through Johns Hopkins, from the 11th grade. This demonstrated my son's math ability and made him a more competitive student in pursuing STEM majors. When his English teacher, Mrs. Green, realized that my son was interested in logic games, she inspired him to design his own game and helped him establish a Murder Mystery Club. He worked together with the club members to create murder scripts, edit games, and organize events where teachers and students played the games together. This activity not only enhanced the relationship between teachers and students but also helped my son strengthen his writing and leadership skills. Finally, I must recognize the outstanding faculty and staff at PA. They are committed not only to helping students build a strong academic foundation but also to enriching their study experience. My son benefited tremendously from PA, and the skills and knowledge he learned there continues to help him in his current college studies. No doubt, Pacific Academy was instrumental in our son's success, and we were lucky to make the best choice for him. read more

I can't even begin to explain how amazing this school is. Our child is in the elementary immersion program. We are not a Chinese speaking household, but this has not held her back. She is speaking, reading and writing Chinese. The teachers are incredible. The school had to move to Zoom for a few weeks so I've been able to listen to the school day. I love that the kids are singing ALL DAY LONG, playing games, learning to critically think, and doing hands-on activities. The curriculum is advanced, but the school is low pressure. My daughter is never worried about tests or quizzes. There is no competition. Her class size is small, but not too small. The teachers are incredibly communicative. The K-6 director is amazing and the principal is wonderful. After trying out a few different language immersion programs, this one blows me away. read more

Pacific Academy changed my son's educational life tremendously since he moved from a public school. The school has provided a great environment with students focusing on their school work. I find it very easy to find and speak to the teachers and principal whenever needed or they reach out to us as needed. The availability and openess of the school staff and teachers as well as their willingness to help as much as it takes, is a great selling point for Pacific Academy. The teachers and school provide individual-based learning to students allowing them to excel by themselves at their own pace. Don't be fooled with Pacific Academy's size, they provide a much better education compared to public schools while allowing student to learn and have fun at the same time. Pacific Academy provides a variety of fun school activites and sports such as Outdoor Education, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Table Tennis. There are also a lot of fun clubs that involve students all around the campus. An example of these clubs is Model United Nations in which my son is an active member allowing him to participate in collegial competitions and learn about the world and how to solve global issues. Overall, Pacific Academy has been a great influence on my son and has taught him how to work hard and independently. I was very happy to hear my son saying, "Pacific Academy is the best thing that has happened to me.". I would definitely give 5-star to Pacific Academy and recommend it to parents who find their kids' existing school does not meet their expectation. read more

thank you to the staff who assisted my daughter and the slice on her foot while at Balboa beach April 22nd. we are truly appreciative of everyone and everything. the garcia family riverside ca read more

Pacific Academy is a haven of excellence. Just like any parent, I wanted my son to be in an environment where his skills were well supported, appreciated and nurtured. I felt that the public school system did not provide adequate attention my son needed with school, so we went on to looking at private schools around the area a stumbled across PA. We got an immediate call from Ms. Laura Nguyen-Brown who is the Director or Admissions when we emailed an inquiry. She was pleasant direct and you could tell she was results oriented by her manner of speaking so we were feeling good about PA. But we were set to meet the principal Mr. Keith Corpus, to get a feel of the environment to make sure it was right for our son. Our son loves being sociable, he loves sports but also needed some guidance in terms of schoolwork. When we met Keith, we knew that we would seal the deal. Keith asked the right questions, he made our son feel comfortable and by the general vibe of the school environment, we knew him and his students were close and staff and students were on first name basis. They knew about their students quirks, behavior and grades! The school had a small population and it was perfect for a student who wants extra attention. When my son went, he was kind of nervous the first week by the load of work they may require. But lo and behold, he is enjoying every moment of his time there. He is now more focused on his studies and pays attention to making sure he excels. I could not say enough how much I would like to thank PA for being a partner in my son's education and development. I have noting but good words for this school. They sincerely care for your kids and they make sure that they excel not only as students but as well rounded members of society. They are doing a fantastic job read more

I spent the last two years of high school at PA; it was one of the most rewarding decisions I've made. Never before had I experienced an educational environment that provided the individual attention PA did. The teachers were incredibly knowledgable and effective in helping students understand the course material. They showed enthusiasm for the content they taught and put exceptional effort into assisting struggling students such as myself. Furthermore, PA's teacher/student ratio (about 1:10) is conducive to a better learning experience as teachers are able to cater to students' individual needs and abilities. I would not be nearly as capable of a student without the support PA provided me. I now possess a strong academic foundation and find myself at a huge advantage in college due to skills PA helped build. read more

This review is long overdue (the student got admitted in Oct 2016). I wanted to really thank you PA for the quick and seamless process of getting my (international student) nephew's paperwork completed within a very short amount of time to bring him to PA. Every questions got answered, every email got responded, and every call got picked up. Three other private schools did not want to accept new student during the semester, but PA had this option and helped us get our student admitted - a special thank you to Ms Laura who helped us every step of the way. PA is a safe, encouraging, and educationally cultivated environment. My nephew got fit in, blended in, and became part of PA within the very first week. The staff play a big part of making our student feel comfortable and at home. Thank you PA for all the detail effort to cultivate such an environment for the future of our students. read more

I went to Pacific Academy since I was 13 years old. The owner of the school is super nice and help every single students in this school. I just graduate from this school and I appreciate all the help I received from them. I was really nervous before I came to the U.S. But the staffs of the Pacific Academy helped me not just about my academics but also my life off campus in the U.S. UC Irvine was my dream school and with all the help I received and the excellent education at Pacific Academy, I can peruse my dream and attend UC Irvine!! To me, Pacific Academy will always be my home at U.S. I loved all the people in this school from the bottom of my heart. I highly encourage students to come to this small private school. At this school, students will receive lots of help and they will have the freedom to do the things they are really interested to do. They will truly have the opportunity to be me and enjoy their high school experience. read more

Pacific Academy - Picture with my teacher - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Irvine, California

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Teachers are very nice. They took care of me not only on study, also on my daily life. I had an unforgettable memory there.

Dear Mr Keith and Ms Kelly It is almost a month since my son joined Pacific Academy. Having moved from a different school and culture, we had lot of apprehensions on how he would adjust to the new environment. But the last few weeks have been amazing. Watching him everyday has been quite exhilarating. He is become so confident, motivated and keen to learn. All these years we had to constantly remind him to be on top of his tasks . Now it is the other way around he is behind us to get his tasks finish on time. To see the grades on sycamore has been a driving factor for him to work harder. He does not seem to need any reminder nor does he forget his stuff to take to school. He enjoys learning and wants to do more. Responsibility does not come magically . The school and the teachers are the driving factors for kids to be motivated to learn. This has been happening for him because of the wonderful teachers and the structured setting at Pacific Academy for students to learn happily. I take this opportunity to thank all of you and hope he is consistent in his responsibility and learning. Regards Parents read more

I am quite surprised by the comment of Jonesy R. While it's true that there are many Chinese and other Asian students, this is definitely not "an academy for Chinese students." As I understand, the school is actively trying to attract a more diverse student body. And I don't know where the assertion that "much instruction is given in Chinese" came from. My kid told me that many of the teachers don't even speak Chinese. My kid just completed a school year in Pacific Academy and I am very pleased with the experience. The teachers and school administrators are way more accessible than those in bigger schools, and the attention given to individual students is hard to match. I know this because I have another kid who graduated from a public high school in Irvine (nothing against public schools, they just have way more students.) read more

Pacific Academy is an amazing private school. The classes are small, which allows the student to feel more comfortable and the teacher can get to know the students more thoroughly. I've been going to PA for a year now, and it has definitely helped me academically. Even though it may be overwhelming with the amount of international students, it gives you a chance to meet people from another country. You get to learn new things from them, and also they get the chance to improve their english skills with students that are native speakers. Overall, this school is definitely a school that give students the chance to fulfill their full potential. read more

The kindness of the staffs at Pacific Academy really made my first year in High School such a great year. Due to the small size and the flexibility of the school, I was able to arrange the classes I would like to take and receive the maximum amount of help. I am not sure why someone would say such thing as all the classes are taught in Chinese. My Italian teacher, fluent in 4 different languages, has been a professional historian who has studied in Italy for 10 years. All the teachers in Pacific Academy are qualified teachers with excellent and amazing skills who makes me feel passionate about knowledge and education. read more

This is my first time to write a review on anything on Yelp. I loved this school so I decided to write a review so others can benefit . I searched many schools in Irvine for my 12th grade son and it was hard task. I have seen schools that charge a lot of money 20k for a creepy place ..please don't trust any nice website you see for any school.. I was lucky to be in the US to be able to visit schools..I was lucky to finally find Pacific Academy school. The staff is super nice and make you feel part of the school . The classes are small and perfect for an international student .. I got to meet this nice lady her name is "Laura" . She helped me with every step of the application process. She made everything easy .She even was txtmsging me to ask about my sons interview at the embassy. I am sure my son will love it once he gets there. read more

My son attended Pacific Academy and had a great learning experience. The school was able to accommodate his specific learning interest. The faculty and staff is dedicated and takes real interest in how their students are doing. The class size is small enough for active learning. The monthly outdoor program is a great plus to introduce students to a wide variety of topics that classroom cannot fully deliver, especially the annual spring break out of state or out of country tour. It is a trip combining learning, community services and many others. We highly recommend the school to all! read more

The small student to teacher ratio at this school makes this school an amazing option for anyone who wants their child to have a more personal learning experience. The smaller size of the classes allow my two sons that are enrolled here to receive much more attention than they would have if they had gone to a public school. My sons also constantly talk about how caring all of the teachers are. All of the teachers are more than willing to ensure that the students know the material and will devote their own time to work with the students one on one on any topics that my sons need a little bit more help on. Also, the monthly trips and activities that the school provides make my sons' school lives much more enjoyable. read more

I studied there from sophomore to senior. PA is definitely an amazing place. Three years, 1,096 days, 26,300 hours. language will never be rich enough to describe how cool PA is. Super nice teachers + Friendly environment = Fantastic experience. read more