Pacifica Stories

Each spring at Pacifica, we celebrate more than college acceptances; we celebrate students who are ready to step into the next chapter of their lives with purpose, confidence, and vision.

The Class of 2026 is already demonstrating that they are well prepared for that next step.

While we anticipate additional results by May 1 and look forward to sharing final matriculation decisions shortly thereafter, the early returns are exceptional and continue Pacifica’s strong trajectory of college placement.

At some of the most selective universities in the country, our students are performing at an extraordinary level:

• UCLA: 19 applicants, 6 acceptances — 32% acceptance rate
  (UCLA 2025 overall: 9% acceptance)
• USC: 18 applicants, 7 acceptances — 39% acceptance rate
  (USC 2025 overall: 11% acceptance)
• UC Berkeley: 22 applicants, 7 acceptances — 32% acceptance rate
  (UC Berkeley 2025 overall: 11% acceptance)

In addition, students have received acceptances across the entire UC system, with more results still being collected.

Beyond California, Pacifica students are earning admission to a wide range of outstanding institutions:

• University of Michigan (2)
• University of Notre Dame (1)
• Cornell University (1)
• Tufts University (1)
• University of North Carolina (1)
• Rhode Island School of Design (1)
• SMU (1) and Baylor (1)
• Tulane (2) and Vanderbilt (1)
• New York University (2)
• University of Washington (2) and Wisconsin (1)
• Boston College (1) and Boston University (2)
• Emory (1), Miami (1), and Swarthmore (1)

These results reflect not only academic strength, but the kind of students Pacifica seeks to form: curious, thoughtful, resilient, and ready to engage the world.

The success of the Class of 2026 builds directly on the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2025, reinforcing a sustained pattern of excellence.

• 96% of students accepted to four-year universities
• $5.9 million in scholarships awarded
• 70+ colleges and universities represented

Top 10 National Universities

Acceptances included Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania, with students matriculating at both Harvard and Columbia.

University of California System

Acceptances spanned nearly the entire UC system, including UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Riverside, and UC Santa Cruz.

• 4 students matriculated at UC Berkeley
• 1 to UCLA
• 3 to UC Davis
• 2 to UC San Diego
• 1 to UC Santa Cruz

Top Private & National Universities

Including USC, Tufts, Boston University, Georgia Tech, University of Michigan, Northeastern, University of Virginia, and University of Florida, with multiple students enrolling at USC and other top programs.

Christian & Faith-Based Universities

Including Baylor, Pepperdine, Westmont, Wheaton, Loyola Marymount, SMU, TCU, Biola, and the University of San Diego.

Creative & Performing Arts & Public Flagships

Including NYU, USC, Pratt Institute, and flagship universities such as UNC, Virginia, Colorado, Penn State, Michigan State, Alabama, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Together, these two classes tell a powerful story and continue the legacy of college placement. Pacifica students are not only being admitted to outstanding colleges, but they are doing so year after year, across a wide range of institutions and disciplines.

Today, Pacifica alumni are thriving across the country:

• 12 at UCLA
• 13 at USC
• 6 at UC Berkeley
• And others at Notre Dame, Princeton, Dartmouth, Stanford, and more

While these outcomes are worth celebrating, they are not the ultimate goal.

At Pacifica, college placement is about fit and formation. We are developing students who know how to think, who seek truth, and who are prepared to live lives of purpose and impact. Once they arrive our hope is that our alumni are the best men and women on their college campuses, leading with joy and a testament to what it means to think and live well.  

The colleges recognizing our students are responding to something deeper: young men and women shaped by a community committed to the good, the true, and the beautiful.

We look forward to celebrating the final decisions of the Class of 2026 in May.

Well done, Pacifica.