History and Heritage
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. 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 Protestant 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 a school not the 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.
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, 127 students in 2007-2008, 150 students in 2008-2009, to 165 students in 2009-2010. 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 assemblege of over 700 parents, students, alumni and faculty.
In 2008, and 2009, Pacifica’s first two classes graduated and these students were accepted by 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.
By the spring of 2006, toward the end of the first year, Pacifica received full accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an affiliation that is current to this day.
Pacifica has established a history of excellent experiences that help students grow into exceptional young men and women who possess a wealth of choices and who will be a positive influence wherever they may go. Some these experience include the creation of the Alma Mater, All School Retreat, Senior Dinner, Polemikon Honors Program, Annual Fund, Powder Puff Football Classic, Paris & London Trip, a competitive sports program, a high quality arts program and the Senior Service Trip. The work has been guided by the founding professional staff and board all of which are still serving the school.
The question, “What would an independent Protestant Christian high school on the Westside of Los Angeles look like?” has been answered, and the answer is Pacifica Christian High School.