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Now viewing articles in the category Academics.
The Odyssey: Asynchronous Book Club
October 23rd, 2024
Our in-person gatherings are underway! For those not able to attend in person, you are invited to join a 6-week asynchronous reading plan. To join, order The Odyssey (or use your student’s edition) and subscribe to our Asynchronous Reading Plan.
Posted in: Academics2024 Parents & Pedagogy
October 17th, 2024
One of the most common things parents say about Pacifica is "I wish I could go to school here!" And it is that sentiment that prompted the creation of Parents & Pedagogy, a peek into Pacifica's curriculum. At this year's event, over 70 parents attended "class" with four of our esteemed faculty members and lived out their desire to return to high school, albeit a high school much different than the one they attended. You, too, can take that journey by watching the videos from that event linked below. We invite you to watch the recordings of our recent event here!
Inhabiting the Immersive Studio Album
September 24th, 2024
"Inhabiting the Immersive Studio Album" explores American actor and musician Donald Glover's creative vision for the pop studio album as an immersive world with stories and lives inside. As pop studio albums become increasingly experiential and immersive, the piece draws a connection between Glover's vision and J.R.R. Tolkien's academic work on the literary writer as a "sub-creator" of fantasy worlds. The piece argues that Tolkien's theological reflections on fantasy literature, if applied to the medium of pop albums, points both the pop artist and the listener to the fullness of beauty only experienced in The Ultimate Artist's world.
The Pursuit of Excellence for His Glory
September 2nd, 2024
As you enter Pacifica this year, you are going to have the same kinds of choices in front of you each day: will you seek your own glory, or will you seek God’s glory and rest in His love for you? It’s a simple distinction, but it makes a world of difference.
Commencement Address: Cultivating a Magnanimous Life
June 24th, 2024
There is a word for a great soul—Magnaminty. This virtue is rarely talked about...Pacifica has taught you to notice that some friendships do more for you than others...The idea here is that there are people walking around who have great souls and others who have small souls. Some who are more substantial and some who are less substantial. Some who are more real, and some who are less real. Some who are in close communion with Christ, and some further away from Christ. Some who experience a sense of purpose that leads to a more joyful life, and some who find themselves lacking direction, and disillusioned.
2024 Valedictorian Address: Aubrey Callaghan
June 23rd, 2024
Valedictorian, Aubrey Callaghan gives a student address to her fellow graduates from the Class of 2024.
2024 Salutatorian Address: Mary Maruyama
June 22nd, 2024
Salutatorian, Mary Maruyama gives a student address to her fellow graduates from the Class of 2024.
2023-2024 Year-End Briefing
June 21st, 2024
As our ninth academic year comes to a close, we've compiled our annual progress into a 2023-2024 Year-End Briefing. As in years past, this briefing outlines the diligent work of our incredible faculty, staff, and student body toward the fulfillment of our strategic plan—Pacifica 2025.Goodbye Postmodernism, Hello Metamodernism By: Benjamin Vincent
May 10th, 2024
Benjamin Vincent, our Department Chair of History and Theology at Pacifica recently published an article in Christianity Today on the discussion of metamodernism and "how our apologetics must evolve to engage with the new cultural mood of the next generations."
Posted in: Academics, In The PressJunior Classical League Dominates State Competition
April 17th, 2024
Last weekend, for the second time in its history, the Pacifica Junior Classical League (JCL) sent a team to the 69th Annual California Junior Classical League (CAJCL) Convention at Menlo School in Atherton, CA. The convention consisted of two days packed with competitive academic testing in subjects related to the Classics, artistic and athletic contests, scholarly lectures from professors and educators, and a plethora of fun activities.
2024 International Trip: Spain & Portugal
April 15th, 2024
Another remarkable Pacifica International Trip has come to an end, and it was one for the books! Over the course of 12 days, 23 students and 4 staff members journeyed to Spain and Portugal, hitting major cities along the way including Lisbon, Seville, Madrid, and Barcelona.
A Look into Pacifica's Junior Classical League
March 27th, 2024
Pacifica Christian's Junior Classical League (JCL) has had an exciting year so far! They've studied and celebrated the Classical world with museum trips, themed parties, a regional convention, and many are about to embark on a trip to Northern California for the 69th state JCL Convention!
Math Day at the Beach: Long Beach Competition
March 23rd, 2024
Math Day at the Beach is a math competition held at California State University Long Beach. Students on the math team prepare all year long for this competition by solving challenging and creative problems together at team meetings. At the event, students compete both as a team and individually, and then cheer on their peers as the top students from the competition compete head-to-head in front of everyone.Aubrey Callaghan: 2024 National Merit Scholar
March 22nd, 2024
Pacifica Christian High School Orange County is pleased to announce that Aubrey Callaghan is a 2024 National Merit Scholarship Award winner. Less than 1% of all high school students in the nation achieve this honor, and this is the first time in the school’s history that a Pacifica student has attained the highest level of achievement for National Merit.
Recording Live: With Dr. Thomas Kidd
March 7th, 2024
Our gratitude and thanks to Dr. Thomas Kidd for coming to our campus for a discussion on his book, "Thomas Jefferson: A Biography of Spirit and Flesh." Dr. Kidd expounds on how Thomas Jefferson was both a brilliant and inspiring political writer and how the ethical realities of his personal life and political career did not live up to his soaring rhetoric. Learn how the tensions of democracy versus slavery, republican virtue versus dissolute consumption, and veneration for Jesus versus skepticism about Christianity defined his moral life.
Returning from the Inaugural Tolkien Retreat
March 5th, 2024
The first annual Tolkien Retreat is “in the books” as they say, and what a life-changing retreat it was! Sixteen upperclassmen and six faculty/staff headed to the majestic Leonard Lake Reserve for seven days and six nights of reading, reflection, fellowship, and worship. Each day began with a full breakfast and morning worship from The Book of Common Prayer and the singing of the school hymn. Then most of each morning was spent reading one of the six books of The Lord of the Rings.
3rd Annual Declamations Contest
March 4th, 2024
Last Friday evening, Pacifica hosted our Third Annual TGC Declamations Contest. Our nine finalists declaimed important works from The Great Conversation in the categories of Bible/Theology, Non-Fiction/Historical, and Literature. One winner from each category was named, as well as an overall winner.
We are so proud of our finalists who brilliantly modeled the school's mission of thinking well—through their preparation and memorization—and living well—through their courage and poise. Whether you were able to join us or want to relive every moment, you may view each performance on our Declamations Contest 2024 Playlist here.
We are confident you will be impressed, inspired, and blessed by these amazing young men and women.Working with Families for Student Formation
February 15th, 2024
Pacifica takes a fundamentally different approach to forming students than most schools across the country.
For many other schools, the primary focus is on the interaction between students and teachers; parents are often left out of the conversation. In some cases, public school districts are now creating a separation from families by setting policies that limit or prohibit information sharing between students and their parents. Pacifica takes the opposite approach.
Pacifica builds on God's "sure foundation" through The Great Conversation
December 17th, 2023
Isaiah wrote that in the 8th Century, B.C. In this season of Advent, when we remember the coming of that “precious cornerstone”—Jesus—and anticipate his coming again, we can look back on what has been built on the “sure foundation” in the past year, and the past centuries. We see the prophet reminding us that our belief impacts our actions. Our thinking impacts our living, and vice versa. And there are two starkly different ways to approach life: building on God’s foundation or on man’s.
A New Triton Tradition: The Inaugural Tolkien Retreat
December 8th, 2023
Have you ever wanted to experience what it’s like to fully immerse yourself in an imaginative world as rich and rewarding as Tolkien’s Middle Earth? Do you want to experience, in its purest form, the joy of reading in community? We are inviting you to join us this coming winter break (2024), from Sunday to Saturday, February 18-24, as we take a merry band of faculty and students to Leonard Lake Reserve.
We The People: State Finalists
December 4th, 2023
Congratulations to the Pacifica Constitution team for making it to State Finals for the We The People competition! The team performed with brilliance at the regional competition for We The People — a national program developed by an act of Congress to further educate and engage high school students about the United States Constitution.
Grace, Truth, and Time
November 21st, 2023
Grace, Truth, and Time & The Story of a Student Returning Over Time
One of the rewards of working at Pacifica is meeting with Alumni and hearing how their time at our school has influenced their adult lives. A few of our staff recently had such an encounter when they were joyfully greeted by a former student.
Pacifica’s Speech & Debate Takes Home Multiple Wins
November 1st, 2023
On Saturday, October 28, Pacifica Christian High School’s Speech & Debate team participated in the first tournament of the season and kicked off this year’s competition with great success! Pacifica’s team went up against six schools across several categories of speech and debate ...
Innovation Talks: Dr. Matthew Milliner
October 30th, 2023
Pacifica Christian High School’s Innovation Talks invite guest speakers from all facets of life to give on campus lectures to our students. Dr. Matthew Milliner, Professor of Art History at Wheaton College, came on campus and shared a lecture entitled Resisting the Algorithms. Dr. Milliner discussed what art history and church history can reveal to us about interaction with our devices.
Junior Classical League's Evening at The Getty
October 19th, 2023
On September 27, the Pacifica Junior Classical League team along with other Latin 3 and 4 students went to the Getty Villa in Malibu for an evening filled with education and entertainment as they watched a special performance of the award winning 1980’s play, The Gospel at Colonus...
Posted in: AcademicsInnovation Talks: Jack Burns
October 17th, 2023
Pacifica Christian High School’s Innovation Talks invite guest speakers from all facets of life to give on campus lectures to our students. Jack Burns, Founder & CEO of Parkway Ford Heritage Mission came on campus to speak on mechanical art and the power of God’s beauty.
A New Tradition is Born: The Annual Lewis Dinner
September 25th, 2023
The Lewis Dinner is Orange County’s premier annual event celebrating the rich history of the Christian faith while encouraging lives of grace and truth in our human affairs on this side of Heaven—to God’s glory! A truly one-of-a-kind event!
Mr. Vincent Speaks on Do Diligence
August 30th, 2023
On Friday, August 28, 2023, over 800 people gathered for Pacifica's 9th Annual Dedication Service, the first official event of the 2023-2024 school year. During the service, our speakers shared advice and wisdom for finding joy during this incredible high school season. Then yesterday, we welcomed our largest class of students back to campus for the first day of school.
Watch, Mr. Vincent speak on Do Diligence:
Mr. O'Neil Speaks on the Love, Fortitude, and Forgiveness Experienced in his Family
August 28th, 2023
On Friday, August 28, 2023, over 800 people gathered for Pacifica's 9th Annual Dedication Service, the first official event of the 2023-2024 school year. During the service, our speakers shared advice and wisdom for finding joy during this incredible high school season. Then yesterday, we welcomed our largest class of students back to campus for the first day of school.
Watch Mr. O'Neil, Head of School, share a personal story of love, fortitude, and forgiveness that transformed his family:
Head Prefect Speaks on Growing in Unity
August 27th, 2023
On Friday, August 28, 2023, over 800 people gathered for Pacifica's 9th Annual Dedication Service, the first official event of the 2023-2024 school year. During the service, our speakers shared advice and wisdom for finding joy during this incredible high school season. Then yesterday, we welcomed our largest class of students back to campus for the first day of school.
Join us for Pacifica's 9th Annual Dedication Service on Friday, August 25
August 23rd, 2023
Pacifica invites you to join us on Friday, August 25 as we gather for Pacifica's 9th Annual Dedication Service at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach.
Pacifica Receives Historic Approval
August 21st, 2023
Last week, after two years of work, we were given permission by the City of Newport Beach and the Planning Commission to increase our enrollment cap from 305 students to 385 students.
Pacifica Students Attend the Latin Academy at the Getty Villa
August 2nd, 2023
Over the summer, Pacifica rising seniors and 4th-year Latin students, Evan Hong and Parker Phillips, took part in the prestigious Summer Latin Academy (Academia Aestiva) hosted at the Getty Villa in Malibu. The week-long program gathered Latin students from all over the country for a deep dive into Roman culture and exclusive access to the Villa’s antiquities collection...
Pacifica Releases 2022-2023 Year-End Briefing
June 24th, 2023
As our eighth academic year comes to a close, it is my honor, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, to share with you our 2022-2023 Year-End Briefing. As in years past...
Posted in: Academics, Admissions, Advancement, Alumni, Arts, Athletics, College Counseling, Head of School, News, Student LifePacifica Hires New History & Theology Faculty
June 6th, 2023
With the continued growth of Pacifica's student body, we are thrilled to share that we have hired an additional faculty member for the 2023-2024 school year! Mr. Justin Solis...
Pacifica's Math Team Multiplies Successes in Its First Year
May 3rd, 2023
The Math Team at Pacifica exists to inspire our students with challenging and engaging mathematics. This year, our founding team of fifteen students met every week to enjoy time together while working on math problems. The problems we focus on solving are not stereotypical high school math problems ("solve for x using this process")...
Pacifica Hires New Mathematics Faculty
April 26th, 2023
With the continued growth of Pacifica's student body, we are thrilled to share that we have hired an additional faculty member for the 2023-2024 school year! Mr. Craig Bruinsmawill be joining our Mathematics Department team in the fall and is excited about Pacifica's mission of freeing the next generation to think and live well.
Pacifica's Junior Classical League Foundations & Successes
April 17th, 2023
The 2022-23 school year has seen the foundation of a new Academic Team at Pacifica — our very own chapter of the California Junior Classical League! The Junior Classical League (JCL) is a national organization founded in 1936...
Pacifica Hires New English Faculty
March 20th, 2023
By God’s grace, Pacifica is growing. In addition to adding more classes, Academic Teams, and other exciting aspects to our program, this fall we will have the biggest freshman class in Pacifica's history. We are deeply grateful for God’s goodness to us, and look forward with great anti...
WATCH: Senior Nathan Kopel Wins the 2023 Declamations Contest
March 20th, 2023
Our 2nd annual TGC Declamations Contest was a great success. This inspiring evening of oration showcased the talents of Pacifica's students as they declaimed masterfully crafted works—both new and familiar—from The Great Conversation. Having progressed through several rounds of comp...
Christianity Today Publishes Article by Pacifica Faculty Member
February 17th, 2023
On February 14, Christianity Today published an article written by Pacifica's own freshman History & Theology faculty, Benjamin Vincent. In his article, titled "Write a New Hymn unto the Lord," Vincent writes about his experience with hymn writing as a spiritual discipline and states that it "sh...
Posted in: Academics, In The PressCongratulations to our 2023 Declamations Semi-Finalists!
February 14th, 2023
Dear Students,I am proud of you. It’s been my great joy to walk around campus the last few weeks to see and hear students at all grade levels declaiming great speeches, poems, and snippets of drama in their English classes. I know that for most of you this experience has been difficult, but I am d...
Annual Declamations Contest to Take Place on Friday, March 3
February 8th, 2023
The entire Pacifica community is invited to attend the finals of our second annual TGC Declamations Contest. This inspiring evening of oration will showcase the talents of Pacifica’s students as they declaim masterfully crafted works—both new and familiar—from The Great Conversation.Having p...
Former Member of the National Security Council, Dr. Inboden, Launches 2023 TGC Season with Insightful Lecture
January 30th, 2023
On Thursday, January 19, Pacifica continued The Great Conversation with a forum and Q&A featuring Dr. William Inboden on his book, The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, & the World on the Brink. Dr. William Inboden is currently the Executive Director and William Powers, Jr. Chair a...
Pacifica's Constitutional Academic Team Proceeds to State Finals in Its First Year
December 8th, 2022
This year, Pacifica Christian High School founded a We the People Academic Team comprised of its Honors United States History students. This team joins the prestigious and competitive We the People program that was developed through an act of Congress, and led by Chief Justice Warren Burger in 1976,...
Chapman University President Speaks to Pacifica Students About the Value of Latin & Classical Studies
November 16th, 2022
On Tuesday, November 15, Pacifica welcomed Chapman University President, and Pacifica parent, Dr. Daniele Struppa for a lecture on Why Latin & Classical Studies?Struppa, the Donald Bren Presidential Chair in Mathematics, invited students to discover how studying Latin can enhance their skills across...
World-Renowned Artists Speak to Pacifica Students
February 22nd, 2022
Pacifica Fine Art students were delighted to meet with and learn from two extraordinary Danish artists, Peter Brandes and Maja Lisa Engelhardt. A married couple from Denmark, Brandes and Englehardt are world renowned for their work restoring and beautifying Danish churches. Additionally, Brandes hol...
Pacifica Christian Opens New Center for Learning
February 8th, 2022
Learning and community are now underway in The Rosalie and Harold Rae Brown Center for Learning. Opening festivities began with a Celebration Chapel on gratitude, Triton's Trumpet, bagpipes, and the joy of our students experiencing this new beautiful building for the first time. Our community is ...
Pacifica Publicly Launches Building A Home Campaign
March 8th, 2021
Purpose, direction, goodness, and belonging. In the midst of our culture’s confusion, teenagers yearn for things that help them flourish—things beyond themselves. By providing our students with a superior academic experience steeped in faith and community, Pacifica Christian High School exists t...
Pacifica Christian Plans for the Future
February 26th, 2021
Pacifica Christian High School's mission is to teach students to think and live well. At the heart of that mission is a deeply-held desire to help young people flourish in school and for all of life. Over the past five and a half years, we have built a strong foundation in support of this missi...
After the Calamity: Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
November 2nd, 2020
By Rev. Hayden A. Butler Feste. Good madonna, why mournest thou? Olivia. Good fool, for my brother's death. Feste. I think his soul is in hell, madonna. Olivia. I know his soul is in heaven, fool. Feste. The more fool, madonna, to mourn for your brother's soul being in heaven. Take...Pacifica Senior Published in Science Journal
May 31st, 2019
Over the past 12 months, Emma Hammond (Class of 2019) has completed an extensive Scholar Project centered around the intersection of medicine and human emotions. Throughout her project, she has shadowed doctors in the US and Sweden, produced a gallery of art pieces inspired by her reflections, and l...
Posted in: AcademicsWASC Visiting Committee Gives Pacifica High Praise
March 27th, 2019
Dear Friends, For the past four days, Pacific hosted an accrediting committee from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). I am delighted to announce the visit was tremendously successful. The committee spent considerable time in our classrooms and speaking with our students, teache...
Posted in: Academics, Head of SchoolPresident of Whitworth University to Speak at All-School Meeting
September 27th, 2018
On Monday, October 1, Pacifica will host Dr. Beck A. Taylor. Dr. Beck serves as President of Whitworth University located in Spokane, Washington. Dr. Beck will speak in Monday Assembly to the community on the value of a Christian liberal arts education and then take a tour of our school. When you se...
Google’s Surprise Endorsement of Pacifica!
January 31st, 2018
At Pacifica, we educate young people for all of life! A broad education (one that includes the robust study of BOTH the humanities and the sciences) providing a foundation for flourishing in college, life, work, and faith. Parents, as well as students, deeply resonate with our commitment to the d...Posted in: Academics, Head of SchoolWASC Accrediting Committee Visits Pacifica
April 15th, 2016
Dear Pacifica Community, Today, Pacifica hosted an accrediting committee from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). I am delighted to announce the visit was hugely successful. The committee spent the day in our classrooms speaking with our students, teachers, and parents. They als...Over 400 attend Pacifica’s C.S. Lewis Symposium
October 7th, 2015
Pacifica Christian Orange County hosted its inaugural TGC event featuring renowned C. S. Lewis scholars from around the world. Pacifica recorded the symposium talks, which are now available at www.youtube.com/pacificaoc. C. S. Lewis scholars delivered thought-provoking talks for over 400 guests...
10 Days Left to Register – TGC Symposium
September 21st, 2015
10 Days Left to Register! SYMPOSIUM DATES Friday evening, October 2, and Saturday, October 3 (detailed symposium agenda below LOCATION St. Andrews Presbyterian Church 600 St. Andrew's Rd Newport Beach, California, 92663 ONLINE REGISTRATION Registration is required to attend TGC Symposium. Click...
VIDEO: Why We Teach English—or anything for that matter
April 29th, 2015
At Pacifica Christian, we’re launching “The Great Conversation” (TGC), and we want you to join in. We’ve designed TGC to allow our students and our community to participate in a dialogue that will transform the way we live, study, work, and engage the world—or, stated another way: how ...
Posted in: Academics, Head of SchoolDirector of Visual and Performing Arts Announced
March 13th, 2015
Pacifica Christian High School-Orange County announces the appointment of Leslee Myers as the founding Director of Pacifica’s Visual and Performing Arts Program and its first performing arts teacher. Ms. Myers recently returned to Southern California after spending two years at New York Universit...Recreating the Classroom
February 19th, 2015
The classroom for the 21st century student Pacifica has spent a considerable amount of time re-thinking classrooms. In preparation for next fall, Pacifica is outfitting its classrooms with mobile furniture and modern technology. Mobile furniture allows teachers to change the physical space o...
Posted in: Academics, AdmissionsPacifica Hires Founding English Department Chair and Director of Associated Students
December 2nd, 2014
Pacifica Christian High School-Orange County announced today the hiring of Hayden Butler as Pacifica’s English Department Chair and Director of Associated Students. Mr. Butler currently teaches English and Theology while serving as Department Chair of English at Capistrano Valley Christian Schoo...
Posted in: Academics, In The PressPacifica Hires Founding Science Department Chair and Director of the STEM Scholars Program
November 5th, 2014
[Newport Beach, CA] – Pacifica Christian High School-Orange County (www.pacificaoc.org) announced today the hiring of Anne Mangahas as Pacifica’s Science Department Chair and Director of the STEM Scholars Program. Ms. Mangahas currently teaches AP Science and serves as Co-Chair of the Science ...Posted in: Academics, In The PressPacifica Hires Founding Faculty Member to Lead History & Theology Departments
October 10th, 2014
[Newport Beach, CA] – Pacifica Christian High School-Orange County (www.pacificaoc.org) announced today the hiring of Chris Stratton as Pacifica’s History and Theology Chair and Academic Dean. Mr. Stratton currently teaches humanities and Bible, while also serving as the Director of Religious ...Posted in: Academics, In The Press
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