School History
Pan American Christian Academy is a confessional day school dedicated to providing academic preparation for English-speaking students in São Paulo, Brazil. Founded to meet the educational needs of the missionary family, we have since expanded our vision to encompass the children of business families in the American, Brazilian and international communities. However, PACA does not discriminate based on race, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, or disability.
PACA began classes in February of 1960 in the Methodist Church of Itaim. The first faculty was composed of five teachers, and the student body numbered twenty-eight. During its early years, the school functioned in various rented facilities, and in December of 1965, purchased a small city block in Campo Belo. As the school continued to grow, a number of classrooms were built and nearby houses were rented, but it soon became evident that the Campo Belo site would be too small to meet the demands.
In July of 1972, 33,000 square meters (7.5 acres) were purchased in the southern São Paulo neighborhood of Rio Bonito. Construction started in April of 1973. The year of 1974 was momentous in school history. In February of 1974 the school moved into the first units of its new campus. The Brazilian Ministry of Education accredited the school, and the first twelfth grade class graduated in June of 1974.
Many additions have been made to the campus, including the construction of a swimming pool and a computer lab, provided by generous donors. In 2006, PACA acquired the property adjacent to the school which has provided the addition of a second cafeteria, an auditorium which seats 120 people, preschool facilities, a learning lab, housing for our foreign-hire teachers, a conference room, and office space. The office space houses the headquarters of ACSI-Brasil which under Mike Epp's leadership was established in 2003, serving 80 schools throughout Brazil.
The school has grown to include non-North American missionaries, furloughing Brazilian missionaries, the local Christian community and others interested in the PACA educational program. The enrollment has changed over the years, but the Bibliocentric worldview focus of the school remains the same.
Dr. Eugene Berends (Director 1991-1994) once said of PACA, “It’s not the place, it’s the people.” To speak of PACA history without mentioning the many wonderful servants - teachers, board members, and parents - who gave sacrificially to produce a faithful history would be inappropriate. The school has been blessed with excellent leaders and teachers throughout the years. God has blessed PACA with facilities, teachers and students for more than 60 years. He has been our Provider, and to Him belongs all glory.
PACA began classes in February of 1960 in the Methodist Church of Itaim. The first faculty was composed of five teachers, and the student body numbered twenty-eight. During its early years, the school functioned in various rented facilities, and in December of 1965, purchased a small city block in Campo Belo. As the school continued to grow, a number of classrooms were built and nearby houses were rented, but it soon became evident that the Campo Belo site would be too small to meet the demands.
In July of 1972, 33,000 square meters (7.5 acres) were purchased in the southern São Paulo neighborhood of Rio Bonito. Construction started in April of 1973. The year of 1974 was momentous in school history. In February of 1974 the school moved into the first units of its new campus. The Brazilian Ministry of Education accredited the school, and the first twelfth grade class graduated in June of 1974.
Many additions have been made to the campus, including the construction of a swimming pool and a computer lab, provided by generous donors. In 2006, PACA acquired the property adjacent to the school which has provided the addition of a second cafeteria, an auditorium which seats 120 people, preschool facilities, a learning lab, housing for our foreign-hire teachers, a conference room, and office space. The office space houses the headquarters of ACSI-Brasil which under Mike Epp's leadership was established in 2003, serving 80 schools throughout Brazil.
The school has grown to include non-North American missionaries, furloughing Brazilian missionaries, the local Christian community and others interested in the PACA educational program. The enrollment has changed over the years, but the Bibliocentric worldview focus of the school remains the same.
Dr. Eugene Berends (Director 1991-1994) once said of PACA, “It’s not the place, it’s the people.” To speak of PACA history without mentioning the many wonderful servants - teachers, board members, and parents - who gave sacrificially to produce a faithful history would be inappropriate. The school has been blessed with excellent leaders and teachers throughout the years. God has blessed PACA with facilities, teachers and students for more than 60 years. He has been our Provider, and to Him belongs all glory.
