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September 2021 by Paul F.
We have a 13-year-old who started the 5th grade at the PBA day school (and is now in 8th) after being in the after-school program for three years. He really enjoyed the after-school program and learned a lot of music and music theory there and in the day school. He loves to sing and frequently sings around the house, or with his school mate with whom he rides to school. He is challenged by the school work and enjoys his classes which include 1.5 hours of singing every day. Three years ago they had a memorable musical experience performing with the SF Symphony with Michael Tilson Thomas conducting, one of many. We also have a now-16-year-old who attended the after-school for two years and loved it, but then middle school happened and he got distracted there. In 8th grade by his own choice he was back in the after-school program after a two year break. He rode AC Transit to the program twice a week and really enjoyed it and enjoyed the other kids. He has been heard singing at home, alone and harmonizing with his brother. The teaching staff is very qualified, stable, and energized. We went to the recent back-to-school night and came away impressed with the staff and grateful for the education our boy is receiving. The boys are mostly engaged and seem happy to be there. Parents of the boys, some of whom work at the school, speak highly of the PBA experience, two used the word "magical" to describe it.
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June 2020 by Rebecca B.
My son started at the PBA day school in the fall of 2018 as a 4th grader and has had a wonderful experience. He was not part of the after school program but the boys were very accepting of him and welcoming right from the beginning. The teachers are very dedicated at the school and really work with the needs of each individual student. The musical training is excellent as well. My son actually told me that he was amazed and happy to find other friends that were like him in interests. The boys are given many wonderful performance opportunities. Even with the shelter-in-place currently happening, the teachers have found creative ways to keep the students engaged and prospering. I highly recommend this school.
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March 2020 by Cadence Strange
I am the current Head boy at PBA and it is an amazing organization that supports growing vocal artists from age 3 to 18. We have a day school program which includes all of your regular school classes and 2 and a half hours of music every day. We have panels all the time that visitors can come and see our campus and get a view on what it’s like to work at our highest level of music on Monday night’s from 5:15 to 8:30. All of our teachers and staff are very inspired by their previous years of Classical training. We also get such great opportunities to travel internationally and even perform with local Symphony orchestras. I definitely recommend PBA!
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February 2020 by Deirdre M.
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!
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February 2020 by Brian G.
My son has been a member of Pacific Boychoir's afterschool program for 5 years now and looks forward to it every week. If you have a son or daughter (they have a girl's choir too) that loves to sing, you should give them a call and see when you can swing by to see what they do. My son has learned a great deal about music and had the opportunity to sing at Davies Music hall several times as well as many other concerts in across the country. In addition, the choir values having students with good decorum and encourages it at every turn!
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February 2020 by Dawn D'Rae Schrey Colvin
Pacific Boychoir Academy’s After School Choir Program is stellar. The ensemble directors are incredible. They are very patient, talented, skilled, dedicated and encouraging. The music theory education is phenomenal. My son started in Prelude at age 4. He’s now 6 and in Minstrels. He loves singing and he enjoys hearing how everyone sounds together.
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October 2019 by Michelle M.
Wonderful day school and after school choir programs. Truly a wonderful, welcoming community! Our family is so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of PBA. My son is happy and loves school, loves his teachers and has built solid friendships. He came into the school during 6th grade with no music background at all and fell in love with this place instantly-- after one shadow day. He was impressed by the music classes and by the opportunity to participate in discussions in the small classroom setting. I had never seen him more purely excited about school. I had to make it work! We have been so happy with this decision. Mr. Brown is an amazing music teacher, he makes learning fun and can turn a crow into a canary. The academic staff are awesome as well. My son has gotten a well-rounded education that includes hands on Science, Math, and Humanities, Theatre, Latin, Spanish, etc.. plus extracurricular activities such as cooking and basketball. And he has become a quite a gentleman! My family and friends are all impressed by my son's school friends whom all stand out among their peers as polite, confident and very articulate young men. My son can now read music and has had amazing opportunities to perform and tour-- at Warriors, A's and Cal games, with the SF Symphony, at cathedrals, colleges, and conferences, domestically and internationally. No exaggeration, I can not reiterate enough how truly special this place is!
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October 2019 by Danny G.
My son started at PBA this year in 3rd grade, came from OUSD. We happened to stumble on the school via a small ad in a local community paper. So if you're reading this review, then congratulations! You are already like 8 steps ahead of where we were. If you have a creative, sensitive, spirited boy at home, I HIGHLY recommend you look at single-gender schools. We were skeptical at first, but after tons of research and trying out multiple schools, we learned that public schools aren't built for boys like ours. So we wanted an environment where he would thrive, not just survive. The school? What an amazing difference! He spoke more about PBA in the first 3 days than he had in the first 3 years of K-2nd grade. The staff and boys welcomed him, and he feels like part of a larger school family, something he never felt at his other schools. The PBA academics are differentiated, like an IEP for each boy. There is way more recess during the day (a HUGE plus for boys). The music program is literally world-class, and he's happier, calmer, and more engaged both at school and home. Never in a million years did I think he'd be singing choral music in the shower... in Italian! Or asking me for help with his next spelling test. There are boys enrolled from all over, from Alameda to Richmond to Walnut Creek. Speaks volumes of how strong the school is. Tuition is reasonable when compared to other private schools of similar academic and music output.
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September 2019 by Nathaniel Ashley
Kinda meh. The head of school was kind of a control freak, but shes gone now.Overall not bad..................... I would recommend if you enjoy huge commitments, 5-12 hour rehearsals, and concerts over winter break.
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September 2019 by M C
Amazing and life changing, all around!! Don’t miss it. It’ll be the best thing you ever did for your boy. It is for us.
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June 2019 by Darek DeFreece
My son continues to have an amazing experience at PBA. The staff and musicians are incredibly gifted. They know how to bring out the best in these young men.
