Pacific Academy

Pacific Academy's school entrance.

Pacific Academy is a private Christian school in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada that spans from preschool to Grade 12. The school has 4 classes per grade, and has over 200 staff members as well as 1500 students. It was started by Jim Pattison, a billionaire who donated money to create Pacific Academy. Pacific Academy also has an outreach program (PAOS) that spans the far reaches of the globe. For example, it supports the Kibaale community schools in Uganda. Pacific Academy is considered to be one of the most prestigious high schools in the Lower Mainland, and has one of the highest academic performance in the province of British Columbia.

History

As stated on the school's main website:

"Pacific Academy is an independent (in partnership with Jim Pattison), co-ed, Christian school for students in Preschool through Grade 12. The school is operated by the Pacific Pentecostal Education and Communication Society, an independent non-profit society. Founded in 1985 by a group of Christian pastors and laymen, the school opened in Coquitlam with an enrollment of 200 students. In January 1991, Pacific Academy moved to new facilities on 40 acres (160,000 m2) in Surrey. In September 2004, Pacific Academy High School became an International Baccalaureate World School."

The campus includes buildings for each of the four divisions, Primary, Intermediate, Middle and High School. In addition, the Creative Arts Building provides specialist areas for Art, Home Economics, Technology Education and Music and the newly opened Media Centre provides exciting opportunities for media/communications. A 350-seat cafeteria is available for students' use. Many playing fields and an all-weather athletic track support the school's sports program.

Construction of a new gym started at the beginning of 2008, linking to the Middle School's original gym. This facility's construction began after the demolition of Pacific Academy's Maintenance Garage, and was completed in October 2008. The grand opening ceremony for the new gymnasium was held on February 25, 2009. The 500 seat Mary Pattison chapel is scheduled for September 2015 completion, as well as a library linking the primary and middle school buildings.

Chandos Pattison Auditorium

Chandos Pattison Auditorium is one of four theaters in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, the other three being the auditorium at Fraser Heights Secondary, Surrey Arts Centre and the Bell Centre for Performing Arts.[1] Chandos Pattison Auditorium is named after the father of business magnate Jim Pattison.[2] The auditorium is part of Pacific Academy.[3] In September 2008, FireFighters for Christ held an event at the auditorium called A Night to Remember: A Tribute to September 11, 2001.[4] Two months later, the Soweto Gospel Choir performed at the venue.[5] Destino also performed there in November in an operatic pop benefit concert in support of the Delta Arts Council.[6] In March 2011, there was a dance performance at the auditorium to raise awareness about human trafficking.[7] The Surrey Symphony Society held a Christmas concert there in December 2011[8] and a spring concert in May 2012.[9]

Notable alumni

Actress and singer Jessica Lowndes attended Pacific Academy.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Kelly Sinoski (January 26, 2013). "The New Surrey: Developing six cities at once". The Vancouver Sun. p. A12.
  2. ↑ Janet Steffenhagen (May 21, 2013). "B.C. Christian school gives enrollment priority to those experienced in speaking in tongues". Calgary Herald. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  3. ↑ "9/11 firefighters to speak in B.C.". The Province. September 5, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Surrey commemorates firefighters killed in 9/11". The Now. September 9, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Spiritual sounds in six languages". The Now. October 24, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Destino sings again for Delta Arts Council". The Now. October 31, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  7. ↑ Brenda Anderson (March 3, 2011). "Crying freedom". Langley Times. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  8. ↑ "The Snowman goes to the symphony". Surrey North Delta Leader. November 26, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  9. ↑ Melanie Minty (April 26, 2012). "No Canucks = no conflicts with our show calendars". The Now. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Jessica Lowndes". nydailynews.com. New York Daily News. Retrieved 29 March 2016. '90210' actress and singer Jessica Lowndes calls Vancouver, British Columbia home and studied at Pacific Academy in Surrey.

External links

Coordinates: 49°11′20″N 122°45′19″W / 49.1888°N 122.7552°W / 49.1888; -122.7552

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