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.

Our experience with the PBA Day School has been excellent. Since our son joined in the fall of 2023, we’ve seen tremendous growth in a relatively short time. He has enthusiastically immersed himself in reading music and delving into music theory, all while taking on more personal responsibility. We’ve also witnessed his math sense soar, which we attribute to the comprehensive music education he’s receiving.

Going into PBA, we were already aware of the top-notch music program. What has pleasantly surprised us, though, has been the academic excellence. The director of education has played a pivotal role in fostering strong connections with each family and ensuring that every student is appropriately challenged. Her dedication to supporting each student has far exceeded our expectations.

What truly touches us is our son’s genuine love for his school. The small classroom cohort has fostered a supportive environment where every boy, despite their differences, respects and uplifts one another. Witnessing their camaraderie has been heartwarming.

PBA’s robust SEL program also deserves mention. Students are recognized for embodying specific virtues, and the SEL sessions, known as ‘town hall meetings,’ focus on building community, fostering service, and nurturing leadership skills. This commitment to character development is deeply ingrained in the school’s culture. For instance, when a bathroom flooded recently, many boys voluntarily cleaned it up during their recess time, showcasing initiative as well as a strong sense of responsibility and respect for their school.

We transitioned to PBA from a home-schooling background with zero regret. PBA genuinely felt like the perfect next step in my son’s educational journey given that the class sizes are so small, the academics are individualized, and the community is so welcoming and inclusive.

Seeing our son’s enthusiasm for school and his sense of belonging fills us with excitement. We anticipate not only exceptional musical accomplishments, but also continued personal, academic, and leadership growth in the years ahead.

…If you have a boy who would like a smaller school, I’d suggest checking out Pacific Boychoir Academy (PBA). It’s a secular, private choir school (no music experience necessary) with a very intimate elementary-grade 8 day school. It’s located in the Piedmont Ave area, just up the street from Oakland Tech. The tuition for elementary is very modest compared to the bigger private schools. The boys at PBA split their time between music and academics, and have the opportunity to sing and travel around the world. The kids I met there were astonishingly poised and all-around great kids.

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.