My son has been a member of Pacific Boychoir's afterschool program for 5 years now and looks forward to it every week. If you have a son or daughter (they have a girl's choir too) that loves to sing, you should give them a call and see when you can swing by to see what they do. My son has learned a great deal about music and had the opportunity to sing at Davies Music hall several times as well as many other concerts in across the country. In addition, the choir values having students with good decorum and encourages it at every turn! read more

Pacific Boychoir Academy - Performing Arts Near Me - Oakland, California

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Wonderful day school and after school choir programs. Truly a wonderful, welcoming community! Our family is so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of PBA. My son is happy and loves school, loves his teachers and has built solid friendships. He came into the school during 6th grade with no music background at all and fell in love with this place instantly-- after one shadow day. He was impressed by the music classes and by the opportunity to participate in discussions in the small classroom setting. I had never seen him more purely excited about school. I had to make it work! We have been so happy with this decision. Mr. Brown is an amazing music teacher, he makes learning fun and can turn a crow into a canary. The academic staff are awesome as well. My son has gotten a well-rounded education that includes hands on Science, Math, and Humanities, Theatre, Latin, Spanish, etc.. plus extracurricular activities such as cooking and basketball. And he has become a quite a gentleman! My family and friends are all impressed by my son's school friends whom all stand out among their peers as polite, confident and very articulate young men. My son can now read music and has had amazing opportunities to perform and tour-- at Warriors, A's and Cal games, with the SF Symphony, at cathedrals, colleges, and conferences, domestically and internationally. No exaggeration, I can not reiterate enough how truly special this place is! read more

This is a one-of-a-kind and truly amazing organization. Where else can a 10 year-old boy enjoy individualized attention from an engaging and highly accomplished teacher, travel the world performing with a Grammy-winning choir, and build the confidence and sense of responsibility well beyond his years? There isn't anywhere that does this like the Pacific Boychoir Academy. The school delivers on its promise to educate, nurture, challenge, and provide an unparalleled opportunity for its students to be part of something truly world-class. What PBA offers will prepare my son to attend the high-school and college of his choosing and more importantly approach life with the sense that anything is possible. We commute from San Francisco to enable our son to attend this unique institution. We joined PBA because of the intimate class sizes, excellent faculty, and tremendous music education. What I didn't realize when we joined the school was how much it would enhance our son's sense of confidence and teamwork, spark his intellectual curiosity, and build his social and emotional intelligence. Nothing will compare to the look of sheer joy on my son's face when I picked him up at the airport after the summer tour with PBA this summer in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia. Behind his smile emerged his new appreciation for other cultures and understanding of what it means to be a member of this vast world in which we live. read more

Pacific Boychoir Academy - Performing Arts Near Me - Oakland, California

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My son started at PBA this year in 3rd grade, came from OUSD. We happened to stumble on the school via a small ad in a local community paper. So if you're reading this review, then congratulations! You are already like 8 steps ahead of where we were. If you have a creative, sensitive, spirited boy at home, I HIGHLY recommend you look at single-gender schools. We were skeptical at first, but after tons of research and trying out multiple schools, we learned that public schools aren't built for boys like ours. So we wanted an environment where he would thrive, not just survive. The school? What an amazing difference! He spoke more about PBA in the first 3 days than he had in the first 3 years of K-2nd grade. The staff and boys welcomed him, and he feels like part of a larger school family, something he never felt at his other schools. The PBA academics are differentiated, like an IEP for each boy. There is way more recess during the day (a HUGE plus for boys). The music program is literally world-class, and he's happier, calmer, and more engaged both at school and home. Never in a million years did I think he'd be singing choral music in the shower... in Italian! Or asking me for help with his next spelling test. There are boys enrolled from all over, from Alameda to Richmond to Walnut Creek. Speaks volumes of how strong the school is. Tuition is reasonable when compared to other private schools of similar academic and music output. read more

My son started at the PBA day school in the fall of 2018 as a 4th grader and has had a wonderful experience. He was not part of the after school program but the boys were very accepting of him and welcoming right from the beginning. The teachers are very dedicated at the school and really work with the needs of each individual student. The musical training is excellent as well. My son actually told me that he was amazed and happy to find other friends that were like him in interests. The boys are given many wonderful performance opportunities. Even with the shelter-in-place currently happening, the teachers have found creative ways to keep the students engaged and prospering. I highly recommend this school. read more

I would like to offer a strong recommendation for Pacific Boychoir Academy. Our son is now in 6th grade at the day school. He started singing with the after-school choir in 1st grade. He loved the camaraderie of the boys and we were amazed at how the teachers and staff were able to teach all of the active boys not only to sing, but to learn self-control of their bodies and work on their listening and focusing skills! We decided to give our son the opportunity for a small learning environment where he could thrive. Academically, we feel this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for him to be able to get the most solid foundation he can have before going into a larger high school (Berkeley High). Our daughter went through Berkeley Middle schools and did well, but we were concerned our active son would slip through the cracks and this school was too amazing to pass up. His academics are excelling in ways we didn't anticipate: he is learning independence, time management, being taught in a more individualized way that allows him to learn about himself and how he needs to approach his academics in the future. The camaraderie of the all-boys environment is fantastic. The boys are so welcoming to any new boys that join the group. They appreciate the differences of each boy and are totally supportive and engaged with learning to work together. I don't know if this is a result of their musical education (many different voices working together), their parents, their teachers or the environment; but we love watching them play together and socialize. The musical education they receive is outstanding. I grew up learning music and what these kids can do with sight reading, learning different languages in song, and the professionalism of working together, being respectful to each other and their teaching staff, and then performing in the larger community and continuing to grow in these skills is life-changing for these boys. They get to sing not only in small settings in the community, but also with larger groups at cathedrals, and with the Marin and the San Francisco symphonies. They are learning to be active, engaged members of the community and to get a chance to perform with these professional organizations and learn and observe from them is in incredible gift. Finally, like any great organization, they are being supported (and we are being supported as parents) by the life lessons that are taught and instilled along the way: good manners, eye contact, life skills (table manners, changing tires, learning how to tie a tie!), professional behavior at a venue, and of course, being kind and respectful to others. Every day when I drop my son off, he says how much he loves the school. And he was definitely nervous about attending a small school and leaving his friends from elementary school. I feel so lucky we found PBA and hope you consider giving it a look! read more

Initially, we liked this school. In fact, I had volunteered to write a good review about it on a website designed to rate schools. HOWEVER, over the years, we came understand that unless your boy is exceedingly talented, can sing like Luciano Pavarotti, you are mega rich, you have nothing better to do than scour your email (on your smartphone because if you rely on an actual computer for messages you're liable to find out something that is important when it is too late), and don't mind terrible organization, spotty and inconsistent communications from the administration, board, and teachers, this place is not for you. It is obvious that they put the music first and the kid's interests last. Send your kid to public school, endroll him in choir, and then support the school as much as you can. You'll be better off in the long run. read more

If I could give the school more stars, I would. There are really not enough adjectives to describe how incredible this place is. The respect for discipline, love of learning, knowledge of music, and an appreciation for a phenomenal education that this school has somehow managed to convey to our highly energetic son can not be understated. He went in as a trouble maker - a kid known for talking out of turn, interrupting, not doing homework on time, completely disorganized, etc, and within a few months became a different kid.. Instead of my having to yell every morning for him to get out of bed, he jumps up and gets ready in record time. His binder is organized, He can't wait to go to school. He is in 6th grade and is reading and loving Macbeth, as in the Shakespeare one. Yes, in 6th grade. His presentation on ancient Greece blew my mind. He is learning college level music theory. And if that's not enough, he gets to travel the world and perform at some incredible venues. This school is best suited for the kids that respond to rewards, which my sons does. When he found out that to go on international tour he had to do X, Y, and Z, he set his mind to do it ,and will be rewarded this summer by going to Brazil. If you have a kid that responds to rewards, please consider this school, its truly amazing! read more

Horrible community. Extremely hostile and short-tempered. Kids are always throwing fists at each other. A lot of kids swearing. They always talk back to teachers. Very disrespectful kids. Lots of time wasted in classes. Kids seem nice until you really spend a few days with them. They aren't nice at all. Lots of bullies at the school and the school doesn't do anything about it. If anything they encourage it. They don't see through the lies kids tell. People lie and say how great this school is when it really is not. Don't get fooled. The kids are told to be nice and greet everyone when there are visitors. If you want to put your kid into this school at least have them sit in for a couple of days, not just one. If you really want your kid to be here, put them in the afterschool program. Its what is best. I wish there was something below 1 star, but I guess this will have to do read more

We have a 13-year-old who started the 5th grade at the PBA day school (and is now in 8th) after being in the after-school program for three years.  He really enjoyed the after-school program and learned a lot of music and music theory there and in the day school.  He loves to sing and frequently sings around the house, or with his school mate with whom he rides to school.  He is challenged by the school work and enjoys his classes which include 1.5 hours of singing every day.  Three years ago they had a memorable musical experience performing with the SF Symphony with Michael Tilson Thomas conducting, one of many. We also have a now-16-year-old who attended the after-school for two years and loved it, but then middle school happened and he got distracted there.  In 8th grade by his own choice he was back in the after-school program after a two year break.  He rode AC Transit to the program twice a week and really enjoyed it and enjoyed the other kids.  He has been heard singing at home, alone and harmonizing with his brother. The teaching staff  is very qualified, stable, and energized.  We went to the recent back-to-school night and came away impressed with the staff and grateful for the education our boy is receiving.  The boys are mostly engaged and seem happy to be there.  Parents of the boys, some of whom work at the school, speak highly of the PBA experience, two used the word "magical" to describe it. read more

My son has been a part of PBA since he was in kindergarten, joining their after-school program on a lark (thanks, grandpa!). Now in his second year as a full-time student and a 5th grader, we could't be more pleased, and proud, of how he is growing, learning and engaging with people. From his perspective, he likes his teachers very much. He also likes learning, singing, and the opportunities to take on challenges, responsibilities and leadership roles that are part of their overall education, music and tour programs. My words, of course. But in his words, "I just like the school." From a parent's perspective, we appreciate the more comprehensive and thorough curriculum that the small class sizes can afford. His 3rd grade public school class had 31 students! It was easy for our son to get away with an average effort and operate 'under the radar.' Not so at PBA. I've noticed that he does a lot more reading and writing with his assignments, and even though some topics prove challenging to learn, there are plenty of resources that support his success. "All-Boy-All-The-Time" has been a household mantra of ours for a long time. And the single-gender approach really gives our son the right environment to be a boy - to learn through hands-on experience, kinesthetic activities, interactive projects, and applying skills for studying and learning. As we see it, our role as parents is to raise our son to be a thoughtful, independent, well-adjusted, and responsible man. And the Pacific Boychoir Academy supports this goal! read more

Remarkable organization! Not only does this Grammy-winning group offer cutting edge musical opportunities (like performing at Yoshi's with Marcus Shelby) but also they provide a framework that give the boys every chance to succeed. The Choister Handbook does a great job of spelling out their high standards and expectations in detail but in language the boys can grasp. We've heard nothing but raves from other parents about the staff and program. Our boys have participated in the after-school program and our friend started in the Day School this year. The late afternoon rehearsals were too much for my younger child, but he wants to try again next year. The older one is looking forward to a 3-day retreat this Winter, a 8-day sleepaway camp this Summer, and possibly also a 2-week long tour of the Southwestern US this Summer. Amazing opportunities for a 9 year-old in a context he thoroughly enjoys. read more

Allow for me to begin... that it's not just about the music. So many other reviews I have read about the after school choir program, yet our son has never been such a participant. So with this review I would like to emphasize PBA's excellence in education. By word of mouth we learned about PBA through another friend whose son is currently a student. With the recent larger class sizes during the past two years in public school, we found our son's desire to learn was dwindling, so much that we decided to move him when he finished 3rd grade rather than wait until middle school. While PBA is renown for their musical engagements and all boys choir, our primary decision to have our son attend PBA resulted from the similar philosophy we shared regarding education and learning; to provide boys an engaging environment to learn, whereby they can also learn through their own errors and mistakes, working collectively with each other as well as independently. Yet PBA is very much a community. Each student, each child is reminded that they are a part of the whole, to participate as a whole, to respect each other and understand their impact on the overall community. They are being taught invaluable skills and values as ambassadors - ambassadors of the school and as future ambassadors of their communities. PBA is also able to channel the boys energy through music. They are being instructed to perform in front of a group of people - whether it be at the San Francisco Symphony or at a local elementary school each performance is important. Through the incredible music program and as students, PBA enables each student to learn more about the world, embrace other cultures, and to express their own culture to others as well. We totally love PBA. Our son has thrived in just the first few months of attending. He is a happy, engaging young boy who has rekindled his desire to learn and explore. We look forward to the many years at PBA, to being a part of their community, and to having our younger son attend there as well. read more

Parents be very careful of this chorus. I am not convinced that the best interests of the child are at heart in this organization. I have heard stories and observed behavior that I am not comfortable with. read more

Whatever PBA may have been in the past, currently the school is in total free-fall. Enrollment is plummeting, and the new Head of School has resigned after less than a year. The board of directors recently sent a letter to parents informing them that the school is facing a "severe budget crunch", is running at an operating deficit, and that they "do not anticipate being able to close the budget gap" this year. Because they can't afford to replace the Head of School, the Artistic Director will be overseeing both the music and academic programs. As additional cost-cutting measures in response to low enrollment, they will be combining 4th and 5th grade next year, eliminating administrative staff, and are considering having the history teacher (who actually has a degree in literature) also teach math. Cutting staff and asking teachers to teach outside their specialties are signs of a school in crisis, not a strategy for financial health or long-term success. Unless you want your son's future to hang by such a slender thread, PBA may not be the place for you. read more

PBA is a heartbreaker- so much promise, and so much dysfunction. It can be wildly successful for some boys, and profoundly damaging for others. Below are my observations. Of note, some of the reviews from past years are from parents who left the organization disgruntled. The Good Music- Your son will learn how to read music astoundingly well. He'll be able to sight read and will understand more music theory than you thought possible for a young boy. Performances- If your son is liked by the music director, Kevin Fox, he'll be chosen to participate in incredible performance opportunities. PBA has sung with the SF Symphony, with American Bach Soloists, Kronos, etc. (However- they haven't had nearly as many of these plum invitations in the past few months). Summer Tours-The boys go to amazing places (Germany/Austria, Vietnam/Singapore, Brazil, Spain- in recent years). Friends- The boys are like a tribe and can develop great friendships. Teaching- The quality of education has dropped this year, but there are a few teachers who are still good. The Bad Musicality- Though the boys learn excellent theory, they don't learn much about the meaning and beauty of music. They often don't learn the translations of the lyrics, so therefore aren't able to master depth or lyricism of music. They often look wooden when performing. Teaching- Most of the academic staff turned over this past year. Many of the new teachers are lackluster. Quality has declined. Administration-There was a new Head of School brought in this past year who is leaving at the end of the year. Kevin Fox, the music director and upper level math teacher, will be taking over leadership of the school- a job he is not suited to do well. The Board, although mostly well meaning, is ill prepared to lead the organization in an effective manner during great tumult. Currently the organization appears to be under enormous financial stress. Pedagogy- The school prides itself on "speaking boy". Only one type of behavior is tolerated and appreciated by the music department, all others are demeaned Some use methods of discipline and punishment which are counter-productive and often spiteful. The Ugly Kevin Fox is the founder of the school and the music director. If he approves of your boy, it's likely he will have an extraordinary experience in the music program. If he doesn't, he can destroy your son. He believes himself to be fair and impartial but he is capricious, biased and sometimes cruel. Exclusion from performances is a frequent method of discipline. . Many parents are fearful of speaking up about concerns as they are afraid of retribution toward their boys. There is a "Lord of the Flies" type of leadership structure amongst the boys- "head" boys and "lead" boys are appointed who are given latitude to reward and punish the other boys (deny dessert at dinner, etc). It does not lead to a warm and cooperative structure. So......You can take a chance on the school, and it could be the best thing that ever happened to your boy. Or, it could be a disaster. read more

The best decision we've ever made for our son was to enroll him in school at PBA! This is our son's third year at PBA. When we first visited the school, we were captivated by what, then Academic Director, Mr. John Lynch told us PBA could do for our son. He is now a 7th grader in the day school and John's promises all held true. Although he had never taken a singing class in his life, just three months after joining PBA, my wife and I watched our son in awe as he sang beautifully side-by-side other PBA choir members in a performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem with the San Francisco Symphony. It was a thrill! Since then, the excitement hasn't stopped, with amazing opportunities like an all-expenses-paid (!!) trip to China for a sold-out performance at the Shanghai Grand Theater; a performance for the United Nations; domestic and international tours; cultural exchanges and collaborations with other singers and peers from all over the world; and more! Academically, the school excels just as much. Just yesterday, thanks to Ms. Echeverria's great teaching methods, many PBA boys received medals and awards and our son received a Perfect Score in the National Latin Exam (85% of test takers are high schoolers!), an honor only 1% of test takers achieve. And other teacher stars-in-the-making, like history teacher, Mr. Kwett and Spanish teacher, Ms. Cole, not to mention the entire music staff, are making sure our boys excel academically. We haven't ceased to be amazed by what our son and his schoolmates achieve day in and day out at PBA! Although, the school has gone through a great deal of change since we joined, Mr. Fox continues to make sure that the school he founded over 15 years ago remains true to its mission and is an exciting place for our boys to grow and learn -- all of that while traveling the world and having fun! Kudos to the school's many dedicated teachers (former and present), music staff, administrators, board members, and volunteers who have made this the best decision we've made yet. THANK YOU!! read more

We have been a family of the school for the past 3 years. My children have been in public as well as independent private schools. Each has its merits. When I evaluate satisfaction with a school, I ask is my child growing as a whole person. At PBA, the whole child is addressed from academics, to social, to emotional, and cultural. My son has grown tremendously and he is becoming a global citizen who has the drive and confidence to be the best he can be in all areas of his life. I support the mission of the school desire for excellence in academics, music performance and music education and this has been my experience. read more

If your son likes to sing, this WAS the school for him. It's not now. This makes me so sad I cannot even stand it. We loved PBA. Loved it. It has now (as of the writing of this) been reduced to a shell of its former glory. Julie Hoerl was the last head of school when we were there, a choice clearly born of desperation since she had never run a school before, never been a classroom teacher, and had no formal education as a teacher or administrator. With this new head of school in place, the school and the board became non-responsive to parents' issues (including issue revolving around bullying, racism, inappropriate teacher conduct, and poor management). After a love affair with the school (our son started there in 4th grade), we had to pull our kid out with 12 weeks to go in his 8th grade year, it got so bad (can you imagine)? We mourned the school that day. When Kevin Fox, the founder, left, well, things just went south. It's a shame. We loved PBA more than anything. We wish them luck. read more

Amazing school and music program! We have a 7th grader who began the school 2-years ago (5th grade). Our son came to PBA without much formal music experience other than singing with the church choir. The school does not require that your child have any polished music skill, the motto is, "show up and try." What our son has gained from the music instructors and the experience performing can not be replicated! PBA boys Junior Varsity and Varsity choirs train and perform at A world class level, and the Varsity choir travels international every summer. Since beginning the school our son has traveled to Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, China, and more recently Australia. Academically, the boys are provided an intimate learning environment (approximately 10-1 student to Teacher class ratio) and challenged to reach for excellence. We moved our son from an independent (K-8) Oakland school, which we loved. However, recognizing what PBA could offer our son in the way of cultural enrichment, travel, and individual growth, we made the right choice! Pacifc Boychoir Academy has a way of developing young men into ambassadors for the musical community, as well as the country. To watch them perform and hear the purity of sound gives me chills, but also great pride. It is clear to see that our son has benefited from the wonderful direction of the music and academic programs at PBA. Just listen to the PBA rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and see what I mean... https://twitter.com/hashtag/StarSpangledBanner?src=hash read more

Imagine an educational institution in which every single member of the school is on the same team, working together toward a common goal. Not just a few select football players but everyone. And imagine their common goal was not against another team, but personal and combined excellence. Something extremely challenging, something they do on par with the best in the world. Imagine small class sizes, personalized learning. Imagine seeing the world each summer on concert tour. Imagine your 10 year old winning a Grammy (!) That's PBA. I didn't particularly want my son at a single sex school, I didn't want to deal with the drive across the bridge from SF to Oakland daily... but it's worth every dollar, every hassle. He's supremely happy every day when he comes home from school. His standardized test scores have significantly improved. He has friends and playdates not only in his grade but across several grades through out the school. And he feels like he's a part of something special, something unique, something powerful. Which he is. Personal responsibility is very high, and boys learn more than academics and music. They learn how to work in groups, how to be flexible, how to push themselves to excel, how to help others in need. Learn about other countries and then visit them. Sing in many different languages, alongside singers from around the world as well as the Bay Area's best. An effusive review is of limited value. Visit the school, watch the students in class, see their faces, hear their angelic voices. You'll know right away that the Pacific Boychoir Academy is something special. read more

Becoming a part of PBA was the best move we ever made as parents. Choir provides structure, discipline, balanced with fun and silliness, to achieve this sublime music. The first time my son and I visited the after-school choir program, he said he'd like to join this choir because they played basketball during the rehearsal break! Important stuff for a 9 year old. His music skills developed along with playing Knock-out. We enrolled him in the choir school for 5th grade and at our first parent-teacher conference, his teacher remarked on my son's low-key, possibly low-performing classroom attitude; but not to worry because there are no cracks here for him to hide and be overlooked. 4 years later: my son graduated as a confident participant in class room discussions; familiar with classical literature, music history, languages through their music repertoire; geography through their national and international tours; he had leadership expereince as Head Boy too. Now I "get" the value of single gender education, especially during the middle school years. Don't worry, they get a chance to socialize with girls at dances with other schools. Their annual visit to Julia Morgan School for Girls is always eagerly anticipated by the boys, and the girls! read more

Joining The Pacific Boychoir Academy (PBA) in Oakland has brought a sea change for our son. Now in 6th grade, in a class of 15 students, he thrives with the teacher-to-student ratio, with plenty of attention and no place to hide. The boys at PBA are happy, motivated, and musical, where they take on a complete academic curriculum. Shakespeare is taught alongside of Solfege and music theory, with numerous choral performances during the school year. PBA is an extraordinary school, where boys learn to work as a team, and that together, they create both a chorus and a community. They have earned Grammy Awards to prove their success The teachers believe in the boys, and show them and their parents that the students can achieve anything that is asked of them. If you are looking for a small, well-run school with a solid academic and music program, choose this one for your son. He will thank you for it, now, and years later, as PBA graduates have done. PBA is located a few blocks from Piedmont Avenue's Fenton's Creamery, easy commuting for those living in the East Bay. There are a number of families from San Francisco, South Bay, and Contra Costa County, as well, who attend the school and after-school programs for boys, ages 5-18. PBA also hosts international boys' choirs, bringing cultural exchange experiences to the community. The Open House events feature the Varsity choir, when you will get a chance to hear directly from the boys about how they like the school. Kevin Fox, the Artistic Director and Founder, is both a gifted music teacher and quite possibly the best role model you could ever wish for your son to be around. read more

I'd think twice before sending your son here. There's been nearly 100% turnover of teachers in the past year (the most senior is the part-time Spanish teacher, who's only been there 18 months) and a 35% decline in enrollment - not signs of a healthy organization. The musical education is great, but the quality of the academic education has nose-dived recently - it's mediocre, at best. Unless your son is planning to become a professional singer (and maybe even then), I'd skip it. read more

410 Alcatraz Avenue Oakland, CA 94609 (510) 652-4PBA Our youngest son goes to their outstanding after school program. Wednesdays from 4-6PM. Pacific Boychoir also has a school that is expanding though Grade 12. Our son is learning to read music and is receiving an outstanding world class musical education from teachers who are experienced, kind, and they know boys! They offer structure but also give the boys some wiggle room and a snack during each rehearsal. Our son enjoys coming to rehearsal each week and has flourished. I am impressed with the administration and organized communication tools used to share information. The parents are engaged and active. Fundraising for the choir is creative and designed not to burn time or financial resources. Check out their website for upcoming performances and come hear the amazing sounds of their six choirs - from age 5 to late teens. http://www.pacificboychoir.org/ This Grammy Award producing program has impressed me so with their structure and commitment. read more

How divine to find such a marvelous opportunity for a boy who loves to sing AND be on a team? We are new to participating in the choir, but our every contact - from the enthusiastic parents to the choir directors (who REALLY get boys) and the charming academic dean and equally charming founding director -- has been delightful. Our son wishes he were old enough to attend the school and my husband and I can't wait to enroll our younger son in 4 1/2 years! read more

I cannot say enough good things about PBA, and my husband and I keep congratulating ourselves for our decision to place our son there. The music program is extraordinary: the boys receive an incomparable training in vocal technique, music theory, performance, and teamwork that will enrich the rest of their lives. The music curriculum has been years in the making and is highly effective for boys of this age group, and the music staff is skilled and inspired. The international tour every summer is an amazing experience: I don't think I've ever seen my son so proud and grateful as when he returned from his first tour. But PBA's academics are every bit as remarkable as the music program: the academic classes are rigorous, engaging, focused, and consistent in their demands of excellence. This is not simply my opinion as a parent, but it's what the kids say, too: recently, I asked my son and a school friend to tell me their favorite things about PBA. I expected to hear about music and tour, but instead they answered: the middle school English classes, Latin class (also part of the middle school curriculum), and the fact that the music program develops their brains in ways that benefit them academically. This said to me that the boys know they are receiving an extraordinary education, and they value it. To that list, I'd add the small class size, which allows for far more individual attention than my son had received at his previous school and permits greater responsiveness by the staff. For example, the academic staff have been quick to help us address concerns that we have raised, both academic and social, and their guidance has been wise and effective. Perhaps what has pleased us most is the attention PBA places on developing the character of the boys, with a focus on integrity and excellence. We've seen great improvements in our son's work ethic, self esteem, ability to articulate his feelings, confidence, willingness to apply himself, commitment to excellence, poise and citizenship. In short, he's becoming a mensch. He deserves much credit for these advances, of course, but the PBA environment has directed and supported his growth. It is also lovely to see our son develop as an artist (music, fine art, poetry and prose) in this environment where it's safe to do so, where "cool" can mean singing the solo, or doing a great job in the annual performance of one of Shakespeare's plays, or making an awesome science project. Finally, in the six years our son has been involved in PBA (he started singing in the after-school choir in kindergarten), PBA's handling of logistics and communications with parents has improved dramatically. Although there were some issues in years past, our experience now is that we receive regular and effective communications from PBA both about academics and the logistics for the music program, and the staff responds timely and helpfully to our questions. Rachel S., parent of a 6th grader read more

My son auditioned here when he was in second grade and has loved it! He has been in the after school program for 5 years. It has been a great environment where "they speak boy" and he can be open about his love of singing. He has learned a lot of music theory, technique and performed a great deal. My now 11 year old just completed performing Mahler 8 with the SF Symphony! They also have a private boys only day school that is highly regarded. I've been very pleased with Pacific Boychoir and highly recommend checking them out. They are truly a diamond!! read more

I have heard amazing things about Pacific Boychoir Academy! I know two families who kids go there and their boys absolutely love it. It is so wonderful that music and creativity take center stage at this school. read more

There is another side of the story about the Pacific Boychoir Academy that is different from some of the glowing reviews that you read on this site. The biggest problem is that everything revolves around the music, so other things, including academics, are secondary. If your son is among a small group of elite singers he will be showered with praise regardless of his grades, classroom behavior, the way he interacts with his peers, or his character as person. At the Pacific Boychoir Academy your son is a singer to the exclusion of everything else. The demands of rehearsals and performances leave very little time for sports, musical instruments, theatre arts, hobbies or outdoor activities. The school employs a wealth of music instructors but no learning specialist and no counselor. Not surprisingly, staff frequently misunderstand learning differences and other issues that are common among boys. From sixth grade on your son will be expected to go on international tours. Although some tours have gone reasonably well, there have been very serious problems on others. The problems are not related to performances, they are related to care and well-being of the boys while they tour through foreign countries. Even though singing dominates everything else, there are also some problems with that as well. The boys are taught to sing beautifully, but when songs are in foreign languages they frequently have no idea what they are singing. Because context is lacking, they often do not understand the meaning or importance of the music. As a parent it is easy to get caught-up in the beautiful singing, the accolades, performances with the symphony, international tours, etc. You need to remember that these are exactly the things that matter to the school, not your son's education, well-being, character development, or growth as a person. There are better ways for your son to be introduced to singing and performing. There are better ways for him to be introduced to what is important in life. read more

I would also give more stars if I could to PBA. Our son joined in 4th grade and is now in his third year, having spent a couple years before that in the amazing after-school program. I would encourage every parent of a boy to consider the day school or the after-school program of this amazing institution. Why? Because I think every kid (and I wish there were a girls' version of this for our daughter) should have a school experience that emphasizes working together on something (in this case, rehearsing and performing the fabulous sound of boys' choral music) and where academic learning happens through and alongside that. Because of this joint endeavor, the model is a precious gift in our hyperindividual and competitive society. The boys learn to work together. Through actually doing it everyday, they learn that they can create something together that they could not do alone. They're boys, so they find ways to compete (who's "passed off" which song, when?). But it's contained in the final product, which must be a joint one. To me, that's a real gift. It's been a gift for our son as well. Because it's an unusual model -- it's something different -- it may not immediately appeal to all families. But I would hope every East Bay parent consider it. I feel, like us and like other parents who've commented here, they'll witness their boy changing, rising to occasions, they'll see him walking onto all manner of stages, sincere and prepared, a part of a group of peers and friends making beautiful music (and even traveling abroad to share it). It's a great time to consider PBA because there is a fabulous team of teachers with lots to offer to middle school boys. The teachers and staff are tirelessly thoughtful about the curriculum and pedagogy, and constantly working to customize their teaching for each student. All in all, we couldn't ask for a fuller and more rewarding experience for our son. read more