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!
