Pacific Academy in Encinitas | Military Town Advisor

Posted: February 1, 2026

I enrolled my child at this school for one year, and it was a very bad experience. From middle school up, classes are mixed with much younger students all the way to high schoolers in the same classroom. The older kids openly bullied the younger ones, often in front of the teacher, with no consequences. According to my child, teachers were passive-aggressive toward each other, which created a tense and unhealthy atmosphere. The principal also controls what teachers are allowed to tell parents, so you may not get the full truth about what your child experiences during the school day.

Posted: February 1, 2026

Posted: August 10, 2025

While there are some very caring teachers and small class sizes (often under 10 students), the schools leadership dynamic is deeply concerning. The principals wife holds multiple roles English Department Lead, ASB Advisor, and Activities Director which gives her disproportionate influence over both staff and student life. This creates an unavoidable conflict of interest, and many staff, students, and families have shared valid concerns about her treatment of others. However, there is a strong perception that voicing these concerns to the principal will lead to retaliation, which fosters a climate of fear rather than collaboration.

I personally experienced targeted treatment from the principals wife, including public confrontation in front of staff, students, and parents. I also witnessed similar treatment toward others. This behavior contributes to a negative culture in which the major source of bullying originates from someone in a position of authority.

When staff members were let go due to budget cuts, or resigned their positions due to unfavorable climate in the workplace, there was no acknowledgement of their contributions to the school community. The principal initially seemed sympathetic, but near the end of the school year interactions became distant, and there was no farewell, thank-you, or explanation to students or families. This lack of transparency and respect can be very disheartening for both educators and students who value their school relationships.

For prospective parents and teachers: be aware that while the school promotes a students first philosophy, the internal culture and leadership dynamics can overshadow the good intentions of many individual teachers. The absence of a safe channel for concerns, combined with the influence of one individual who is personally connected to the principal, is not a healthy environment for students or faculty. It is my belief that PAE cannot live up to its potential until the conflict of interests is addressed.

Posted: August 9, 2025

(This review does NOT pertain to the few gems that existed among the teachers and staff.)

The only reason our child ended up at PAE was because of Covid. We were not informed that most of the older students had learning disabilities or issues that included expulsion from other schools for violence and drugs, and behavioral and mental health (there were foreign exchange students from China, but they kept entirely to themselves).

During the four years my child spent in middle and high school, we also discovered:

The education was okay but redundant and limited in electives. The teachers could be openly gossipy and mean about some kids, and opinionated about their views on everything from religion to politics. Favored students got special treatment and could do no wrong, no matter how they treated others. The teachers shared with other students confidential/inappropriate information given to them in confidence. There was a rampant case of nepotism so if a student crossed the wrong teacher/students, they would forever be on the outs.

If a student didnt go along 100 percent with the current views on racism, gender, politics, etc., they would be ostracized and emotionally bullied by other students. When it came to bullying, the teachers either took zero action or maintained a he said/she said stance, that it was just as much the fault of the student being bullied as the one doing the bullying. Most of the older students at PAE did not act kind, accepting, or welcoming. The small enrollment size and intermingling of grades also created an environment for inappropriate romantic relationships (a three- or four-year age gap sometimes).

There was no thinking outside the box: the same extracurricular activities every year at the same locales, usually amusement parks. There was a yearly homeless outreach program: the kids personally distributed donations to the homeless in downtown San Diego, supervised by one or two teachers. My child had a terrifying encounter doing this, and there was not a teacher in sight to help. Safety issues aside, how about switching it up with animal shelters, assisted living homes, veteran programs?

My biggest regret is how long it took us to understand how negative PAE was for my child, who does not have any of the aforementioned issues, and who is compassionated, open-minded, empathetic and respectful: basically a terrible fit for this school. Its simply not worth the expense, any expense for that matter.

Posted: August 9, 2025

Posted: June 23, 2025

I cannot express in words what PAE has done for my boys and me. What I can do is tell you is tell you that this school has helped raise my boys into kind and caring individuals who can converse intelligently with adults on all subjects. They have formed bonds with these teachers and staff that will certainly last a lifetime. But they also made lifetime friends, had fun and were allowed to be themselves. This school is not just a building where you drop your kids for a few hours. Its a safe haven filled with educators who take an interest in your children and help them become the best version of themselves. I love this school and am sad we wont be part of the day to day operations but we will always be part of this community.

Posted: June 23, 2025

Posted: May 25, 2025

Pacific Academy Encinitas has been a great fit for our 7th grade daughter. She feels valued, safe and cared for at school. The staff is loving, encouraging and accommodating. The small class sizes lead to individualization and great support from teachers. In addition to academic support, PAE encourages participation in school sports & activities, even without prior experience. These opportunities have helped our daughter to develop self-confidence and allowed her to create friendships with students across grade levels. We are so grateful for PAE & the culture of learning they have created.

Posted: May 25, 2025

Posted: May 22, 2025

My daughter has been at PAE since 8th grade (she's going into Senior year 2025/2026 school year) and this school has been amazing for her. She's dyslexic and had struggled in public school with teachers that didn't have the bandwidth to work with her and help her learn. That caused severe social anxiety that made it harder for her to focus... it was a negative spiral.
The teachers at Pacific Academy really took the time to get to know her and appreciate everything that she does well while pushing her to be her very best even in areas like math that are harder for her. She now has a 3.8 GPA, is taking AP classes and applying to out of state 4 year colleges with B.S. programs in zoology. She loves to read, leads a D&D group, plays tennis, is on the student council (ASB). This is a kid who struggled to read at all in the 2nd grade.
The school is really small. Sometimes I worry that it's too small. But it's a big wide world out there and she does theatre with a different group and volunteers at a rescue and has friends from her co-op charter school (that closed and also didn't have a high school). In the end, the kids at the school are kind, most of them are a little quirky too and above all there is a strong culture of acceptance.
If your child is a little different, artsy, smart but not thriving in a public school, socially anxious, or driven to succeed and not being challenged, you should totally check out Pacific Academy. They take a 1:1 interest in each student' success, they are flexible and yet they hold their students to high standards. It's small but mighty. We love it.

Posted: May 22, 2025

Posted: May 18, 2025

The school has its strengths, particularly in the warmth and dedication of many of its teachers, who clearly care about their students and support one another. The principal is a kind individual with good intentions. However, there are some significant concerns that impact the overall school environment.

There appears to be favoritism within the leadership, particularly involving the principals wife, who is also a teacher. Unfortunately, her behavior toward both students and staff has often come across as unprofessional and at times unkind. Attempts to address concerns have not always been well received, which creates an atmosphere where open communication feels difficult. The dean of students, who is closely aligned with this leadership dynamic, has also contributed to a culture that can feel cold and exclusive.

While there are many wonderful educators at this school, the influence of a few key individuals in leadership roles has made it difficult to ignore the patterns of favoritism and lack of accountability. Its clear that these issues impact both staff morale and student experience.

Posted: May 18, 2025

Posted: May 13, 2025

This is a pretty great school, but some of the teachers are clearly prejudiced towards other students. At times, it is challenging to have your voice heard against faculty members and even against more well-liked students. I had a great experience here, as said, part of the well-liked students, but honestly, at this point, it is becoming irritating not to be reprimanded when I deserve it, and always seeing my peers being treated unfairly because of petty teacher preferences. Besides this, the faculty does their job relatively well, with some members performing better than others, but overall, it shakes out to a decent school experience. Emotional well-being is relatively prioritized here, but at times it is hard to be believed when having an ailment, whether that be emotional/mental or physical. In addition, this school boasts its college acceptance rates of 99.9%, which is fantastic; however, the colleges mentioned are mostly local and not very well-known colleges at all. Bullying is something that they preach against quite a bit as well but often fail to enforce their rules against it.
Generally, this school is relatively inclusive, a good option for students looking for small/local college options or special education, but teaching is often subpar and favoritism is a serious issue.

Posted: May 13, 2025

Posted: May 2, 2025

As a parent, I enrolled my child at Pacific Academy Encinitas with high hopes based on its small class sizes and individualized learning approach. Unfortunately, our experience was deeply disappointing due to a pervasive culture of favoritism and fear that starts at the top.

The most glaring issue is the conflict of interest between the Principal and his wife, who serves not only as a department head but also as the Activities Director. This dynamic creates an environment where complaints against herwhether from students or parentsare either dismissed or completely ignored. My child attempted multiple times to report negative experiences in her class, including being belittled in front of peers, but nothing was done. Reports of hallway harassment and exclusion were also overlooked.

Its clear that there is a climate of silence within the school. Staff and students alike seem afraid to speak out, likely because of the fear of retaliation. Meetings meant to support students often turned into opportunities to further diminish their confidence instead of empowering them.

There may be some positive aspects to the school, but until they address the serious concerns around nepotism, power imbalances, and lack of accountability, I cannot recommend it in good faith.

Posted: May 2, 2025

Posted: August 6, 2024

There are not enough words to describe how special this school has been for us. Not only have my boys received a great education in small class settings, but weve gained a family. Teachers and staff become mentors and friends all while keeping learning interesting, fun and still challenging enough to push them to the next level. My boys can converse as easily with adults as well as their friends because they are constantly involved in conversations not only about school lessons but about life lessons and whats going on in the world. We have truly loved our days with Big G (Mario Gonzales, principal) and his gang. We will miss them so!

Posted: August 2, 2024

I am thrilled to share my positive experience with Pacific Academy Encinitas. This small private school has truly been a gem for our family. With its incredibly low teacher-to-student ratio, each child receives the personalized attention they deserve. The teachers here are dedicated and attentive, tailoring their teaching methods to meet each child's unique learning needs.

The school community vibe is warm and welcoming, making it feel like an extended family. It's clear that the staff genuinely care about the students' well-being and academic growth. Our children have thrived in this nurturing environment, and we couldnt be happier with the individual attention and support they receive daily.

If you're looking for a school where your child will be seen, heard, and taught to their level, PAE is a fantastic choice. Highly recommend!

Posted: August 2, 2024

Posted: July 16, 2024

I was a student here. I have to say that my experience was traumatic. Bullying is rampant (especially in highschool), and teachers often dismiss incidents as "he said, she said" situations, even when the evidence is clear, and even when parents get involved. Favoritism is a huge issue as well, with some students seemingly incapable of doing wrong in the eyes of their teachers. These students are even included in listening to negative gossip about their peers from the teachers.

While there are a few great teachers (and the front desk staff are probably the best people there), they are the exception rather than the rule. The school accepts practically anybody, including students who have been expelled from other places. Many of the kids there face various challenges, whether behavioral, on the spectrum, or learning disabilities, making the school function more like a special education institution, (which is certainly what it should be classified as).

In my personal experience, the bullying rarely (if ever) got resolved, and students/other teachers would hear if a parent or student would privately speak to a teacher or the principal, meaning there was really no privacy.

The social dynamics are intense and can be hugely stressful; stepping out of line with the favored students can lead to ostracization, and pure hatred, and given its small size, usually the entire school hears about it and oftentimes takes the side of the golden student. It is impossible to escape conflicts or negative attention. The education is fine (but not worth the price), and there are some unique experiences and definitely one-on-one instruction if a student is behind or needs help, but the overall environment is toxic. For those without specific needs that require a small school setting, I would not recommend this school.

Posted: July 16, 2024

Posted: March 14, 2011

My daughter is a sophomore. She was not happy in her previous high school and transferred to Pacific Academy in Feb. 2011. The Principal, teachers and staff at Pacific Academy are really caring about students. Pacific Academy's curriculum is rigorous and their graduates got into good colleges. They offer regular, honors, AP classes and online courses. The teachers are very knowledgeable and supportive. Whenever my daughter has homework problems, she always gets teachers' extra help. Pacific Academy focus on project based learning, which makes the learning really fun. They teach students to respect the environment, respect each other and has global view. The school arrange outdoor education every month. Students do service learning, learn about recycle, go kayaking, or mountain climbing. My daughter really loves this school. She has never been more motivated or happier. I am really happy about Pacific Academy and highly recommend Pacific Academy to all parents and students !

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	La Costa	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	3.8 mi
2	Windsor at Aviara	Apartment Complex	Carlsbad	CA	4.3 mi
3	Rancho Carrillo	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	5.5 mi
4	Palisades Pointe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	7.8 mi
5	Torrey Highlands	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	8.8 mi
6	Shadowridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Vista	CA	8.9 mi
7	Mira Costa Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Oceanside	CA	10.3 mi
8	St. Cloud	Condominium/Townhouse	Oceanside	CA	11.8 mi
9	Montecito village apartments	Apartment Complex	Oceanside	CA	12 mi
10	Spectrum Center Blvd, Kearny Mesa	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	17.3 mi
11	Canyon View	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	19 mi
12	Riverfront Condominium Rentals	Apartment Complex	San Diego	CA	20.6 mi
13	Ocean Beach	Apartment Complex	San Diego	CA	20.9 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Encinitas	Encinitas	CA	1.1 mi
2	Carlsbad	Carlsbad	CA	8.6 mi
3	Torrey Highlands	San Diego	CA	8.8 mi
4	Downtown Oceanside	Oceanside	CA	11.8 mi
5	Mira Mesa	San Diego	CA	12.3 mi
6	University City	San Diego	CA	13.7 mi
7	La Jolla	La Jolla	CA	13.9 mi
8	Wine Country area of Scripps Ranch	San Diego	CA	15 mi
9	Serra Mesa	San Diego	CA	19 mi
10	Lake Rancho Viejo	Fallbrook	CA	20.7 mi
11	Old Town	San Diego	CA	20.7 mi
12	Old Town San Diego	San Diego	CA	21 mi

Base	Distance
Miramar MCAS	14.7 mi.
MCRD San Diego	21.8 mi.
Camp Pendleton	22.4 mi.
San Diego Naval Medical Center	23.4 mi.
North Island NAS	24.5 mi.
Naval Base Point Loma	25.2 mi.
Coronado Naval Amphibious Base	26.6 mi.
San Diego Naval Base	26.8 mi.

Pacific Academy

Encinitas, CA 92024

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Pacific Academy

Encinitas, CA 92024

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