Pacific Boychoir Academy

If I could give the school more stars, I would. There are really not enough adjectives to describe how incredible this place is. The respect for discipline, love of learning, knowledge of music, and an appreciation for a phenomenal education that this school has somehow managed to convey to our highly energetic son can not be understated.
He went in as a trouble maker — a kid known for talking out of turn, interrupting, not doing homework on time, completely disorganized, etc, and within a few months became a different kid. Instead of my having to yell every morning for him to get out of bed, he jumps up and gets ready in record time. His binder is organized, He can’t wait to go to school.
He is in 6^th grade and is reading and loving Macbeth, as in the Shakespeare one. Yes, in 6^th grade. His presentation on ancient Greece blew my mind. He is learning college level music theory. And if that’s not enough, he gets to travel the world and perform at some incredible venues.
This school is best suited for the kids that respond to rewards, which my sons does. When he found out that to go on international tour he had to do X, Y, and Z, he set his mind to do it, and will be rewarded this summer by going to Brazil. If you have a kid that responds to rewards, please consider this school, its truly amazing!

Long, but worth the read.
Our son didn’t sing when we looked into the school — in fact, it never occurred to us that a performing arts school was our thing. I’ll admit, we’re kind of education snobs and most «woowoo» schools didn’t fit our idea of a solid education. We were in the market, however, having been disappointed with our son’s public school, and looking around for a fit.
We had never heard of PBA, and it wasn’t on our shortlist, until we saw a little boy selling cookies in front of Peet’s with a boom box and a big smile, trying to finance his way to Spain (yep, the kids go on an international tour every summer). He was so poised, well-​spoken (and not in the Chris Rock way), and enthusiastic, that we decided to attend the open house.
Admittedly, the school’s need for a paint job and the small outdoor area didn’t endear us, but once we walked through the doors and heard the boys sing and speak, we were hooked. See, here’s the thing: it’s one thing for a headmaster or some teachers to tell you how terrific their school is; hell, you expect it. But when — in response to potential parents’ questions — the headmaster says, «why don’t we have the boys answer that for you,» you have to take notice.
One by one, the boys (who had been sitting quietly and still after singing for us; no small feat in itself) got up to speak. Clearly unscripted, they talked about their experiences, how they loved the classes, how they believed in themselves, how much they’d learned, how they were accepted and given the freedom to excel, well, it was a done deal.
So we plunked down the ducats and crossed our fingers (cuz, you know, it’s not over ’til your kid wants to get out of bed to go to school). It’s been a Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride ever since.
First, we saw his self-​esteem shoot through the roof. A shy kid by nature, we assumed he’d barely be able to stand on the risers, would be slow to make friends, and would shy away from public performance. With a little help from his 4^th grade teacher and the music staff, he’s a regular mousekateer! He stands tall, sings, out, looks people in the eye when he shakes their hands? Who is this kid?
Then, his interest in reading and science took off, so much so, that we cannot keep the kid in books, and not just kid books. His last request: «mom, can I get a book on Queen Victoria and her reign in England?» Seriously? What the…
Finally, previously unbeknownst to us, we had a singer! The kid has taken to singing like threads on a bad suit: you cannot tear him away. One morning, at 5am, I caught him on YouTube looking up a Berlioz piece because, in his words, «Mom, I want to make sure I’m getting the pronunciation right.»
To be clear, I’m not one of «those» parents. I don’t have some sort of savant brilliant kid. He’s a regular Joe (well, regular Moe), who whines about screen time, is lazy, and has to be nagged to do his homework. He doesn’t get As on every test and he isn’t a rocket scientist. Nevertheless, the school has turned him into a confident, inquisitive, interesting kid. It’s amazing.
One more thing. Addressing the negative review, I’d say this: Yep, there are lots of emails to read (the kids travel and sing a lot). Yep, sometimes the communications come late in the evening (once a uniform change came at 9pm, long after I stopped checking emails). And yes, it can be frustrating at times to keep it all in order. The school could benefit from a great administrator in that regard. That said, there are some things with which I take issue. Your kid does not have to be a superstar to sing well or do well; he does have to have some self-​control. You do not have to be rich. In fact, the school is thousands cheaper than most similar schools.
Really, we could not be happier.

I cannot say enough good things about PBA, and my husband and I keep congratulating ourselves for our decision to place our son there. The music program is extraordinary: the boys receive an incomparable training in vocal technique, music theory, performance, and teamwork that will enrich the rest of their lives. The music curriculum has been years in the making and is highly effective for boys of this age group, and the music staff is skilled and inspired. The international tour every summer is an amazing experience: I don’t think I’ve ever seen my son so proud and grateful as when he returned from his first tour.
But PBA’s academics are every bit as remarkable as the music program: the academic classes are rigorous, engaging, focused, and consistent in their demands of excellence. This is not simply my opinion as a parent, but it’s what the kids say, too: recently, I asked my son and a school friend to tell me their favorite things about PBA. I expected to hear about music and tour, but instead they answered: the middle school English classes, Latin class (also part of the middle school curriculum), and the fact that the music program develops their brains in ways that benefit them academically. This said to me that the boys know they are receiving an extraordinary education, and they value it. To that list, I’d add the small class size, which allows for far more individual attention than my son had received at his previous school and permits greater responsiveness by the staff. For example, the academic staff have been quick to help us address concerns that we have raised, both academic and social, and their guidance has been wise and effective.
Perhaps what has pleased us most is the attention PBA places on developing the character of the boys, with a focus on integrity and excellence. We’ve seen great improvements in our son’s work ethic, self esteem, ability to articulate his feelings, confidence, willingness to apply himself, commitment to excellence, poise and citizenship. In short, he’s becoming a mensch. He deserves much credit for these advances, of course, but the PBA environment has directed and supported his growth. It is also lovely to see our son develop as an artist (music, fine art, poetry and prose) in this environment where it’s safe to do so, where «cool» can mean singing the solo, or doing a great job in the annual performance of one of Shakespeare’s plays, or making an awesome science project.
Finally, in the six years our son has been involved in PBA (he started singing in the after-​school choir in kindergarten), PBA’s handling of logistics and communications with parents has improved dramatically. Although there were some issues in years past, our experience now is that we receive regular and effective communications from PBA both about academics and the logistics for the music program, and the staff responds timely and helpfully to our questions.
Rachel S., parent of a 6^th grader

Allow for me to begin… that it’s not just about the music. So many other reviews I have read about the after school choir program, yet our son has never been such a participant. So with this review I would like to emphasize PBA’s excellence in education.
By word of mouth we learned about PBA through another friend whose son is currently a student. With the recent larger class sizes during the past two years in public school, we found our son’s desire to learn was dwindling, so much that we decided to move him when he finished 3^rd grade rather than wait until middle school.
While PBA is renown for their musical engagements and all boys choir, our primary decision to have our son attend PBA resulted from the similar philosophy we shared regarding education and learning; to provide boys an engaging environment to learn, whereby they can also learn through their own errors and mistakes, working collectively with each other as well as independently. Yet PBA is very much a community. Each student, each child is reminded that they are a part of the whole, to participate as a whole, to respect each other and understand their impact on the overall community. They are being taught invaluable skills and values as ambassadors — ambassadors of the school and as future ambassadors of their communities.
PBA is also able to channel the boys energy through music. They are being instructed to perform in front of a group of people — whether it be at the San Francisco Symphony or at a local elementary school each performance is important. Through the incredible music program and as students, PBA enables each student to learn more about the world, embrace other cultures, and to express their own culture to others as well.
We totally love PBA. Our son has thrived in just the first few months of attending. He is a happy, engaging young boy who has rekindled his desire to learn and explore. We look forward to the many years at PBA, to being a part of their community, and to having our younger son attend there as well.

My son has been a part of PBA since he was in kindergarten, joining their after-​school program on a lark (thanks, grandpa!). Now in his second year as a full-​time student and a 5^th grader, we could’t be more pleased, and proud, of how he is growing, learning and engaging with people.
From his perspective, he likes his teachers very much. He also likes learning, singing, and the opportunities to take on challenges, responsibilities and leadership roles that are part of their overall education, music and tour programs. My words, of course. But in his words, «I just like the school.»
From a parent’s perspective, we appreciate the more comprehensive and thorough curriculum that the small class sizes can afford. His 3^rd grade public school class had 31 students! It was easy for our son to get away with an average effort and operate ‘under the radar.’ Not so at PBA. I’ve noticed that he does a lot more reading and writing with his assignments, and even though some topics prove challenging to learn, there are plenty of resources that support his success.
«All-​Boy-​All-​The-​Time» has been a household mantra of ours for a long time. And the single-​gender approach really gives our son the right environment to be a boy — to learn through hands-​on experience, kinesthetic activities, interactive projects, and applying skills for studying and learning.
As we see it, our role as parents is to raise our son to be a thoughtful, independent, well-​adjusted, and responsible man. And the Pacific Boychoir Academy supports this goal!

Joining The Pacific Boychoir Academy (PBA) in Oakland has brought a sea change for our son. Now in 6^th grade, in a class of 15 students, he thrives with the teacher-​to-​student ratio, with plenty of attention and no place to hide.
The boys at PBA are happy, motivated, and musical, where they take on a complete academic curriculum. Shakespeare is taught alongside of Solfege and music theory, with numerous choral performances during the school year.
PBA is an extraordinary school, where boys learn to work as a team, and that together, they create both a chorus and a community. They have earned Grammy Awards to prove their success The teachers believe in the boys, and show them and their parents that the students can achieve anything that is asked of them. If you are looking for a small, well-​run school with a solid academic and music program, choose this one for your son. He will thank you for it, now, and years later, as PBA graduates have done.
PBA is located a few blocks from Piedmont Avenue’s Fenton’s Creamery, easy commuting for those living in the East Bay. There are a number of families from San Francisco, South Bay, and Contra Costa County, as well, who attend the school and after-​school programs for boys, ages 5 – 18. PBA also hosts international boys’ choirs, bringing cultural exchange experiences to the community.
The Open House events feature the Varsity choir, when you will get a chance to hear directly from the boys about how they like the school. Kevin Fox, the Artistic Director and Founder, is both a gifted music teacher and quite possibly the best role model you could ever wish for your son to be around.

My son has been a part of the Pacific Boychoir after school program for 3 years. When it came time for him to start 4^th grade he all but got down on his hands and knees and begged me to let him attend the day school. I must have said no at least 10 times. We were completely happy at our BUSD public school, we were in the very coveted Spanish Immersion program, I was the PTA President and we had invested so much in the school community. There was no way I was going to give all of that up!
After meeting with the school administrators multiple times and seeing my son’s love of singing, I decided I would take it one year at a time. Let him try it and see how it went. Well, imagine my surprise when I realized how much better school could be for my son. The smile on his face when I pick him up every day is worth the price of admission! Not only is he challenged academically, but he has the chance to be truly excellent at something. How many 4^th graders get that chance?
The teachers know how to keep boys engaged and focused. I feel like their is a new child living in my home. My son sets his homework out with a journal to one side and pencils to the other and works. He wants to do well. I do not have to coerce him! It is an amazing transformation. Even though he was the type of kid who always worked hard, the difference is now he wants to learn!
And did I mention the music education that he is getting? On top of just being a part of an incredible school community that «speaks boy» he is also getting a first class music education. He is already performing and looking forward to touring this Summer.
If you are looking for a new challenge for your child, or if you are interested in the power of music on a young boy or even if you are completely happy where you are now, I encourage you just to come and check out the school. I guarantee that you might just see a light go on in your child’s head!

Imagine an educational institution in which every single member of the school is on the same team, working together toward a common goal. Not just a few select football players but everyone.
And imagine their common goal was not against another team, but personal and combined excellence. Something extremely challenging, something they do on par with the best in the world.
Imagine small class sizes, personalized learning. Imagine seeing the world each summer on concert tour. Imagine your 10 year old winning a Grammy (!)
That’s PBA.
I didn’t particularly want my son at a single sex school, I didn’t want to deal with the drive across the bridge from SF to Oakland daily… but it’s worth every dollar, every hassle. He’s supremely happy every day when he comes home from school. His standardized test scores have significantly improved. He has friends and playdates not only in his grade but across several grades through out the school. And he feels like he’s a part of something special, something unique, something powerful. Which he is.
Personal responsibility is very high, and boys learn more than academics and music. They learn how to work in groups, how to be flexible, how to push themselves to excel, how to help others in need. Learn about other countries and then visit them. Sing in many different languages, alongside singers from around the world as well as the Bay Area’s best.
An effusive review is of limited value. Visit the school, watch the students in class, see their faces, hear their angelic voices. You’ll know right away that the Pacific Boychoir Academy is something special.

This is a one-​of-​a-​kind and truly amazing organization. Where else can a 10 year-​old boy enjoy individualized attention from an engaging and highly accomplished teacher, travel the world performing with a Grammy-​winning choir, and build the confidence and sense of responsibility well beyond his years? There isn’t anywhere that does this like the Pacific Boychoir Academy.
The school delivers on its promise to educate, nurture, challenge, and provide an unparalleled opportunity for its students to be part of something truly world-​class. What PBA offers will prepare my son to attend the high-​school and college of his choosing and more importantly approach life with the sense that anything is possible.
We commute from San Francisco to enable our son to attend this unique institution. We joined PBA because of the intimate class sizes, excellent faculty, and tremendous music education. What I didn’t realize when we joined the school was how much it would enhance our son’s sense of confidence and teamwork, spark his intellectual curiosity, and build his social and emotional intelligence.
Nothing will compare to the look of sheer joy on my son’s face when I picked him up at the airport after the summer tour with PBA this summer in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia. Behind his smile emerged his new appreciation for other cultures and understanding of what it means to be a member of this vast world in which we live.

Initially, we liked this school. In fact, I had volunteered to write a good review about it on a website designed to rate schools.
HOWEVER, over the years, we came understand that unless your boy is exceedingly talented, can sing like Luciano Pavarotti, you are mega rich, you have nothing better to do than scour your email (on your smartphone because if you rely on an actual computer for messages you’re liable to find out something that is important when it is too late), and don’t mind terrible organization, spotty and inconsistent communications from the administration, board, and teachers, this place is not for you.
It is obvious that they put the music first and the kid’s interests last.
Send your kid to public school, endroll him in choir, and then support the school as much as you can. You’ll be better off in the long run.

Remarkable organization! Not only does this Grammy-​winning group offer cutting edge musical opportunities (like performing at Yoshi’s with Marcus Shelby) but also they provide a framework that give the boys every chance to succeed. The Choister Handbook does a great job of spelling out their high standards and expectations in detail but in language the boys can grasp. We’ve heard nothing but raves from other parents about the staff and program.
Our boys have participated in the after-​school program and our friend started in the Day School this year. The late afternoon rehearsals were too much for my younger child, but he wants to try again next year. The older one is looking forward to a 3-​day retreat this Winter, a 8-​day sleepaway camp this Summer, and possibly also a 2-​week long tour of the Southwestern US this Summer.
Amazing opportunities for a 9 year-​old in a context he thoroughly enjoys.

410 Alcatraz Avenue
Oakland, CA 94 609
(510) 652−4PBA
Our youngest son goes to their outstanding after school program. Wednesdays from 4−6PM. Pacific Boychoir also has a school that is expanding though Grade 12.
Our son is learning to read music and is receiving an outstanding world class musical education from teachers who are experienced, kind, and they know boys! They offer structure but also give the boys some wiggle room and a snack during each rehearsal. Our son enjoys coming to rehearsal each week and has flourished.
I am impressed with the administration and organized communication tools used to share information. The parents are engaged and active. Fundraising for the choir is creative and designed not to burn time or financial resources.
Check out their website for upcoming performances and come hear the amazing sounds of their six choirs — from age 5 to late teens.
This Grammy Award producing program has impressed me so with their structure and commitment.