Pacifica Stories

Carly Barforth grew up in southeastern Wisconsin in a small farm town about 30 miles outside of Milwaukee. She attended a small liberal arts college called Carroll University (formerly known as Carroll College) where she earned her bachelor's of Psychology, and then went on to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. At UNLV, Carly earned her Master of Education in School Counseling. She said specifically that, “One thing that I learned in school is the importance of having a growth mindset. There are opportunities to learn all around us. Soak that knowledge up like a sponge.”

During COVID, Ms. Barforth attempted to move back to the Midwest, but the winter pushed her out. Being from a state that is so far away from the ocean and having seen the California coast glamorized on TV, it had always been a dream of hers to live in CA. She applied for a job at Pacifica, prayed, and waited for the call back that she was hired! Ms. Barforth found herself packing up her things at the age of 30 and moving across the country for a second time. She says that although she is a Midwest girl at heart, she has grown to love the West Coast. 

When looking for schools to work at, Carly knew she wanted to work somewhere she could blend her faith with her work. She came across Pacifica, and knew that this school was what she was looking for. Pacifica has allowed her to live out her faith daily in a professional work environment. Ms. Barforth says that building relationships with students and families has been so fulfilling, and that she truly feels that Pacifica is her home away from home. We are blessed to now have her as our Director of Academic Counseling, and it is amazing to see her personal connection with students and investment in their high school experience.