Expanded Middle School Instrumental Music Program!

Next year, Pacific Ridge will expand its instrumental music program by offering Beginning Instrumental Music as an arts class. Middle school students interested in learning an instrument or continuing an instrument they've recently begun playing are encouraged to sign up for Beginning Instrumental Ensemble. After-school instrumental lessons will also be a new option next year. Instrumental lessons during clubs period every Wednesday will continue as usual. Please click here for more details about Middle School Instrumental Music options.  

Don't Miss Legally Blonde May 21st - 23rd!

Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage by glittery, pink storm in this fun and upbeat show. Middle school students will present a 75-minute, one-act version of the acclaimed Broadway musical, Legally Blonde, on May 21st- 23rd at Vista's Avo Playhouse. Click here to purchase tickets online.

Dates: Thursday, May 21st - Saturday, May 23rd

Times: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 2:00 p.m. on Saturday

Place: Avo Playhouse, 303 Main Street, Vista CA

Book Buddies: Save Money on Your Textbooks!

The Pacific Ridge Parents Association is pleased to announce that Book Buddies is coming back this year, better than ever!

The Book Buddies website was created to facilitate the buying and selling of used textbooks within our school community. Sellers can post books for sale and buyers can find books for purchase with this easy-to-use online "bulletin board."

Textbook selections are currently being finalized for next year.  As soon as this list is complete, parents will receive an email with the link and directions on how to use the site.  

Summer Programs and Sports Camps at Pacific Ridge!

From June 15th to August 13th, Pacific Ridge will be offering a number of summer programs available to all students in San Diego's North County. Choices include non-credit academic classes for middle and high school students, the Firebird Program for rising 5th through 7th graders, and sports camps for children in elementary school through high school. For more information and to register, please visit the 2015 Summer Programs page on the Pacific Ridge website.

Senior Art Show Features Talent & Technique

The portfolios of Pacific Ridge's graduating visual artists were celebrated on Thursday, May 14th, with a reception and exhibit in the Arts & Technology Center. Families and friends viewed the artwork and discussed its inspiration and creation with each of the artists. "This year's senior art show was a resounding success," said photography teacher Alison Behr. "Our visual and digital arts programs continue to thrive, and it was nice to celebrate with an event that featured more senior artists than ever before, a brand new venue, and an impressive turnout. We hope these seniors continue their excellent creative work in college and beyond."

Senior visual art added an explosion of color and forms to the Arts & Technology Center's walls.

This talented, hard working group of senior artists impressed with their creativity and technique!  

Whimsical pottery and other 3D creations were part of the exhibit. 

Next Year's Expanded STEAM Offerings Announced

Ever pondered the biological implications of a zombie apocalypse, considered the big ideas behind the tiny house movement, or wondered how surfboard craftsman mastered their trade? There's a class for that. Next year, as part of Pacific Ridge's STEAM programming, juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to choose from five innovative, trimester-long courses: 

First Trimester: 

 * Zombiology 101: Life Science and         Aesthetics of the Undead

Second Trimester: 

 * Topics in Nanotechnology

 * Surfing, Sustainability and the               Sea: The Culture & Craft of Surfing

Third Trimester: 

 * Tiny House Design

 * Landscape Architecture

Click here to read course descriptions for all the 2015-2016 STEAM offerings. There is still time for students to add STEAM classes to their schedules. Please contact Mr. Dziekonski at sdziekonski@pacificridge.org with requests, and be on the lookout for next year's after-school STEAM offerings, which will be announced in the fall. 

Theater Students performed for parents and guests as a finale in all three Upper School theater classes. In Intro and Honors Theater, audiences experienced some of the traditional scenes that have served as rites of passage over the last few years: Shakespeare monologues, The Misanthrope, Our Town, Fences, Proof, and 4000 Miles. In Advanced Theater Arts and Directing, students created original performances based on a play called Phillip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread, a piece akin to spoken word opera. Students wrote, arranged, designed, publicized and performed their pieces based on a directorial concept. The results, carefully wrought and colorful, exceeded all expectations. 

On Thursday, May 14th, students in the Upper School Service Learning program gathered in the Athletic Center for a celebration of their year's work. Service Learning Coordinator Alison Behr ran the festivities, which included appreciation for the work accomplished this year, light-hearted awards, the announcement of next year's group leaders and a series of games that enabled students to win small grants for their service groups. Nearly 300 students in grades 9 through 12 participated in 24 different service learning groups and 10 independent projects this year.

Getting silly for service: Students celebrate their service learning achievements.

Soon-To-Be Graduates Celebrate Tailgate-Style

Serenaded by fight songs and original music, entertained by improv and nourished by Chipotle, seniors and their families celebrated the conclusion of their high school academic careers and the college search process with a fun, family-style tailgate party on May 19th. Next steps? Seniors are gearing up for their final global trips, graduation and a busy summer at home before heading to colleges all across the country. Congratulations, Class of 2015!

Families enjoy one of their last gatherings as a class.

Facing the future with confidence!

Junior Parent Question & Answer Session on June 7th

On Sunday, June 7th, College Guidance will host an optional Q & A for junior parents to answer any questions you may have about office transition this summer. Upper School Co-Head Tim Betzala and 11th-Grade Dean John Nagler will join this session, and an RSVP link will be emailed to junior parents.  A detailed timeline through summer has been communicated to all parents, so this event is optional.

Date: Sunday, June 7th

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Place: East Reading Room