A Vision Takes Root
Pacific Academy began with a bold vision: to create a school where academic excellence and a deep commitment to biblical truth would be woven together in the Pentecostal tradition.
In 1984, Vancouver businessman and philanthropist Jim Pattison shared this vision with Rev. Allon Hornby and Rev. Bernice Gerard. They were soon joined by Rev. Ed Austin, Rev. Ken Birtch, Rev. Gordon McDonald and Mrs. Mary Pattison who together became the foundingBoard.
Under God’s leading, the Pacific Pentecostal Education and Communication Society was established, and the seven-acre former Brookmere Elementary School property in Coquitlam became Pacific Academy’s first home.
Pacific Academy Opens
In September 1985, Pacific Academy opened its doors to approximately 200 students. From the beginning, the goal was clear: to provide an exceptional education while helping students grow in their knowledge of Jesus, their faith, and their calling to lives of leadership and service.
Over the next several years, the school grew rapidly. By January 1991, 560 students made the journey across the Port Mann Bridge to Pacific Academy’s new campus in Surrey.
The First Job
Find a suitable location
The task of finding a home for Pacific Academy fell on the capable shoulders of Mr. Bill Coupland, a retired businessman who had experience building another Christian school in Montreal. Thanks to God’s leading and Mr. Coupland’s tireless efforts, PA was founded on the seven-acre Brookmere Elementary school site in Coquitlam. After extensive remodeling, PA opened its doors in September of 1985 with 200 students and grew quickly from there. In fact, by 1988, Mr. Coupland was once again looking for a larger site — one that would allow construction of a custom, master-planned campus.
The Elements in Our School Crest Are:
THE TRUMPET - announcing the gospel
THE TORCH - truth
THE HAND - passing on the torch of knowledge through the word of God
THE DOVE - the Holy Spirit
THE DOGWOOD FLOWER - represents the beautiful province of British Columbia
The WAVES - Pacific Ocean
THE CROSS - the centre of our faith
THE OPEN BIBLE - revealing God’s word is life and light
The Mandate
Build it first class
In the words of Bill Coupland, when it came to building on the new property, Jim Pattison “wanted to build it first class.” So that’s what he and the board did. With the help of architect David Ho, they set out to build one of the country’s finest Christian academic schools — literally from the ground up. Construction of other buildings progressed until eventually all grades were housed in the new location. As the years went by, blessed by the support of the Jim Pattison Foundation, the school expanded its capacity and physical size; adding more than 7,500 square metres and eight more acres of land — all “To the glory of God.”
The New Campus:
A place to grow, learn and serve
Expansion has continued in recent years. And today Pacific Academy has grown steadily to become a student body of more than 1400 students in four different schools — from junior kindergarten through grade 12 — on a beautiful, 40-acre campus complete with a 1500-seat auditorium which regularly serves as an arts centre for the community as well as campus events.
The Pacific Academy Outreach Program
At PA we make service and outreach part of every student’s life. Younger children start with projects that are closer to home, like area senior housing centers. Then, as they grow and mature, they follow the Biblical model of moving from Jerusalem to Judea and to the ends of the earth. For example, the high school has sent teams out into North, South and Central America, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe to deliver the Good News.
The Future:
Continue expanding our reach throughout the world
As we move forward to take on the challenges that lie before us in the years ahead, we have no doubt God will be just as faithful to us as he has been in the past. Our entire staff and faculty looks forward to not just maintaining the highest academic and spiritual standards we’ve established, but to further strengthening our commitment to service throughout our community, or region and our world. One exciting development we’ve seen in recent years is how our philosophy and mission is beginning to bear fruit through our alumni. Many of them are now reaching the point in their lives where they’re making significant contributions to the world via their careers, professions and ministries.