Pacific Bay Christian School

1030 Linda Mar Boulevard

Pacifica, CA 94044

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 29, 2024

The advertising this school puts out is overblown hype. School community is miserable, the staff is inadequate, and they are just plain too small with low quality programs to be competitive in any meaningful way. It is in no way worth the tuition. Since we moved our son out of PacBay he has been thriving in academics and extracurriculars. The depressing environment at PacBay was stifling.
Submitted by other on October 27, 2024

It’s a shame to see Pac Bay deteriorate like it has. It was half way decent until my last year and now it’s just sad. Many low low quality teachers. Aweful administration. The extracurricular activities were always small and limited, but now they are just plain sad. PAC Bay has no heart or spirit as a community. I don’t think it will last very much longer with the way it’s going.
Submitted by student on October 18, 2024

I don't think PacBay is good for high school. They cut the baseball team last year. It also cut the surfing outdoor education program. We don't have any music or other enrichment classes. Even though it's supposed to be a Christian school, I did more volunteer work and community service in a public school. I thought the academics would be more challenging here, but we keep losing good teachers and getting new ones who get fired in the middle of the school year, but they don't tell us why. I have the chance to move to another school next year, and I'm going to take it so I can get more opportunities and better experiences High school here is a not good. Most everyone talks of leaving if they have the chance. I gave this school year a try, but the school keeps having more and more problems affecting students. It's also too small and getting smaller.
Submitted by other on October 05, 2024

This school has gone downhill. It is too small for high school students to prepare for college (even small ones). The teachers are hit and miss. Extracirrulars are less than average. Familes are disconnected, the campus culture is poor. The staff left from the old school before the administration change seem to be the most caring and helpful ones, but they are fewer each year. High school students are babied and disciplined like they are in middle school, and given no chance to grow from experiences. It is a punitive environment. It is not joyful. This school may work for you if 1). you only care about STEM, 2). do not care about social emotional learning. 3). Do not intend to participate in sports, clubs, music, drama, P.E., journalism, A/V or any regularly expected high school activities.. 4) are a family that does not intend to get involved in the school.Lastly, the price tag at almost $26000 (and rising each year) is outrageous for what the school provides. You could attend an onlinve high school for a fraction of the cost and have the same experience, academic and social emotional..
Submitted by other on October 03, 2024

Poor school understanding of student mental health. Not inclusive, shunning is seen among students. Dedicated teachers and pretty campus but more limited humanities than what public schools offer.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2024

Each year the school gets worse and the price goes up. Mediocre at best. At one point when the school was family owned and operated it may have been a close knit and caring community, but the longer the current administration runs it the further they runs it into the ground. Student morale is low, many teachers are positively terrible and programs are limited and lacking. With about 100 student in the high school they lose more each year than what they add. It is a demoralizing experience, particularly for junior and senior level students This school is absolutely not worth the money and considering it for high school would be a mistake.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2024

The school campus is in a beautiful location. Unfortunately that is about the best this school has to offer. Staff turnover is high. Many teachers are incompetent. A few good teachers make it tolerable, but it is hardly a school for academic excellence. Many students opt for better alternatives after experiencing the substandard programs in the high school. All said it is basically mediocre at best with an inexperienced and unorganized administration dragging it farther down. While they tout achievement and quality programming we are yet to experience it. Overall rating is two stars for a couple very caring and dedicated teachers and a tranquil campus. In general it is not nearly on par with the better private schools in the area. They have a long way to go and with a second a second rate staff it’s hard to imagine the school will improve any time soon. Hoping to salvage remaining college prep years elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2022

Fantastic little school in the beautiful valley of Linda Mar Pacifica. The teachers are highly qualified and caring about their students. This is a true small community where how students are doing as a person is just as important as their academics. While it is a faith-based school (and we are Christians) there are many students who are not Christians and attend for the excellent academics and extracurriculars. The campus is amazing, featuring a full gym, playing fields, chickens, goats, and a several-mile running trail. Our son has thrived here as a middle schooler. We have found the academics to be challenging and the variety of experiences vast. The fall trip to Yosemite and the Wednesday morning surfing at the beach have been highlights that reveal how many different experiences the school provides. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants a small eniornment that is personal with excellent academics and good values such as building character and leadership.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2022

PacBay is really a gem. Our family is so blessed to have chosen this school for my son, who is now a sophomore. It is a wonderful and welcoming community. Every staff in administration and every teacher is amazing. For example, the school listened to families and started offering Chinese classes in 2020. Initially the school only intended to offer beginning level, but after evaluating my son, they offered an advance level class, even though there was only one student. For math, the teacher is simply the best. I wish I had a math teacher like my son's when I was in high school. He makes learning Calculus fun. PacBay also built up my son's passion in speech and debate, where he got the valuable opportunity to compete all the way to the national level last year. At PacBay each student has an advisor (about 1:10 advisor to students ratio) that serves as the student's mentor for all four years. With small class sizes, students learn to build close & meaningful relationship & connection.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2021

I have one graduate who has launched successfully and happily and I credit PacBay for giving him encouragement, acceptance and guidance. I have two more children on campus today because PacBay is a Christian school that is founded on a student-led, love your neighbor and world atmosphere coupled with all the tools that's needed to be a college prep. Your child will find friends here. Your child will be educated and your child will learn about God in a respectful and meaningful way. Your child will want to come to school everyday and when its in the back country of Pacifica where chickens, goats, archery, hot meals are meandering around.....you will want to be there too.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2021

Great Christ-centered school with a high quality education. Teachers are highly qualified and they care about the students. The school believes in developing well rounded students and they are striving to have them be responsible, great citizens to this world. Small student teacher ratio allows students to be seen and heard. Great extra curricular activities and clubs for the students to get involved. They prepare our students for higher education. We highly recommend this school that feels like family.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2019

I have been very pleased with the experience at this school: the vision at the top, the small school and caring environment. In addition, my daughter plays sports and the coaches are so excellent they have many trophies in their gym. This school is the most affordable private school that I found in the area when I did my research. It has an absolutely gorgeous campus and offers regular outdoor activities such as art, hiking, photography and surfing. The one drawback is that it is a far commute for many, but they do organize carpools via Hop/Skip/Drive which is like an "Uber/Lyft for Schools". I found that this kept my commute to about 20 minutes which is well worth it considering everything.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2019

Such a Christ-centered and beautiful campus! My oldest daughter graduated here when it was formerly Alma Heights, and now my second daughter is here. I appreciate the High School Retreat that they have at the start of the year, it helps build relationships early! I also appreciate the community center being open until 6pm for working parents!
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2018

Great Christian School. My kids love it, we love it as parents because our kids love to go to school, we are satisfied with their academic, social, Christian faith and characters development. Teachers and Admins are friendly and open to feedback and parents participation. Nice diversity of different ethnicity and backgrounds, but the vibe is very inclusive and warm as a Christian community should be.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2018

We went to a few school open houses before finally registered my kid at PacBay. I’m glad we made the right choice. Essentially everyday the kids are surrounded by nice people, pet goat, bunnies, chickens and plants! The teachers, admin staff, and parents in the school are so caring and helpful. I like that fact that my kid is growing and studying in such an inclusive and encouraging environment.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2018

My daughter began in Pacific Bay as a freshman and is now a junior. We are happy how the school is a good training ground for skills and experiences she will need in college and career, starting with the academics and the critical thinking these promote and with the many extracurricular activities like sports and music. She really developed a deeper love for music as a member of the choir and has availed of opportunities such as intra-school music events and being a teacher’s aide.The school doesn’t tolerate bad behavior, which isn’t rampant I think because of the sense of community that is promoted as a culture. I also like how the teachers and faculty are friendly and approachable and the systematic communication and updates I receive from the administration. I highly recommend Pacific Bay Christian School to parents who wish to have their children receive an affordable and high quality education for their kids that will give them a strong foundation for their future.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2018

My daughter is now a high school junior and since a freshman has been a student of Pacific Bay Christian School, formerly Alma Heights in Linda Mar, Pacifica and her older brother and cousin are also alumni. This college prep is a little gem in the Peninsula with a small student population with a low student to teacher ratio. The academic standards are extremely challenging, though the quality of instruction has helped my daughter not only meet but excel in those standards. Whenever I'm on campus or at school-related activities, faculty will always introduce themselves and make personal connections when finding out who my student is. As I am often on school grounds for sporting events, I cannot help but enjoy the wholesome environment of a pleasant and personable school community where I see kids enjoy being kids because it isn't long when they will be off to college. I highly recommend this school over the many college prep choices in the Peninsula because of its size and emphasis on building the individual student through character and responsibility.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2018

We have had a mixed experience with Alma Heights Elementary School. It really depends on the grade. Some teachers are excellent, some not so much. They have started using elements of the Common Core curriculum in the last year or two, which I am not a fan of. There is high student turnover from year to year and it seems like more kids with issues are coming in, while the smarter kids without issues are leaving. The Chinese population in the school is rapidly growing and they have started catering to that population by presenting parts of school programs/functions in the Chinese language. But, on the other hand, it's a nice small school with a personal feel and a friendly community of people. We have always felt safe sending our child there, but are no longer sure he's getting a great education.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2017

All three of my kids love this school! They are in high school, middle, and elementary. The communication with parents is open. The teachers make themselves available to parents,even in high school. There is such a strong sense of community. I feel that my kids are really cared for and getting a whole education. Plus, the teens are so polite and respectful. When I am on campus the high school students don't have that rude attitude I've experienced on other campuses. You really have to see it to believe it.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2016

The small class size means our children are getting individualized attention, as well as loving encouragement and discipline. We have one in 2nd grade and one in kindergarten - both are very different when it comes to school - yet each is getting what he needs to succeed academically, socially, and spiritually. We aren't religious, and Alma Heights has a strong Christian approach. We weren't sure that was going to fit our family, but it's something we are 100% supportive of as parents, because our children are learning to be kind, conscientious, trustworthy, and helpful little guys. I can't say enough positive things about Alma Heights.