List of 6 items.

• BEGINNINGS

  In the summer of 2002, a group of educators, parents, business leaders, and pastors gathered together to ask the question, “What would an independent Protestant Christian high school on the Westside of Los Angeles look like?” That question led to the formation of Pacifica’s Founding Committee and a host of related questions. The committee met each month for three years to talk about vision, purpose, and to exchange stories of their own upbringing and careers while some shared experiences from their children’s education.

   

  After two years of work, conversation, and contemplation, the committee found itself with a unified mission, vision, purpose, and business plan. The next step was to share this vision and plan with others. The Pacifica blueprint was presented to respected business leaders, parents, educators, students, pastors, and a host of individuals from all walks of life. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the Pacifica circle began to grow.

   

  The Board of Trustees was formed in the summer of 2004 and hired the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, and Office Manager. Committees were put in charge of curriculum, student life, athletics, arts, fundraising, admissions, and locating a property.

• FIRST YEAR

  By March of 2005, the founding faculty was hired, our current location was secured, and the admissions process was in full swing. The following summer, Pacifica received membership into the CIF, Southern California’s governing body for high school athletics, and was preparing to tackle accreditation, UC approval, student/parent orientation, the first day of school, and what seemed like a million other details that go along with the opening of a brand new school.

   

  On September 7, 2005, the dream of having an independent Christian high school open for students of all religious and socioeconomic backgrounds was achieved! It was the opening of a school that is first devoted to excellence in academics for all students while integrating the Christian faith when appropriate. Pacifica is not a church, but a school that is committed to and serious about the intertwining of academic rigor and the Biblical perspective in a way that respectfully encourages all students to grow academically, spiritually, and creatively.

• STEADY GROWTH

  The first day saw 42 freshman and sophomores, along with 8 teachers and 3 administrators begin a historic journey. Pacifica has seen tremendous growth since that day increasing to 85 students in 2006-2007, 165 students by 2010, 230 students by 2015, and now, close to 250. We are still on the way to our goal of educating 400 high school students. Our community has grown from the founding group of 12 to an assemblage of over 1,500 parents, students, alumni, and faculty.

• ACCREDITATION

  By the spring of 2006, toward the end of its first year, Pacifica received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Pacifica Christian High School is accredited by WASC through June of 2021.

• FIRST GRADUATES

  In 2008 and 2009, Pacifica’s first two classes graduated and these students were accepted to Duke, Notre Dame, University of Chicago, Northwestern, Cal Tech, UCLA, USC, Middleburry, UC Berkeley, Boston College, William and Mary, NYU, Wheaton, Westmont, Gordon, Pepperdine, LMU, Point Loma, Azusa Pacific, Seattle Pacific, and a host of other colleges around the country. College placement continues to be strong with students receiving invitations from Vassar, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Drexel, Villanova, Bentley, Rochester, Scripps, SMU, Colgate, Brandies, Oberlin, and many more.

• EXPANDING FURTHER

  As Pacifica approached its 10th Anniversary in 2015, the next phase of expansion began through the creation and incorporation of several signature programs. Pacifica partnered with Project Lead the Way in the fall of 2015 to launch a full STEM program, adding two engineering and a computer science course to its elective class offerings. The fall of 2015 also saw the launch of the Minchin Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, including classes in Economics and Entrepreneurship, as well as InSights, a speaker’s series and several options for internships and mentorships. The Visual and Performing Arts also saw an expansion with additional classes in film classes, studio arts, and music throughout the last few years.