Patten Academy of Christian Education (PACE) was founded in 1944 by Dr. Bebe Patten. The founding purpose was to provide young people with a Christ-centered educational program in which students could grow spiritually and academically in an atmosphere reflective of the teachings and values of Jesus Christ.
With the opening of grades nine through twelve in 1944, Patten Academy began serving the greater Bay Area. In 1957 grades seven and eight were added, in 1958 grades four through six, and in 1960, grades kindergarten through three, making the Academy a K-12 school.
Patten Academy has been located on the 2400 block of Coolidge Avenue, Oakland since 1961. In 1985, the Academy was modernized, and updated classrooms were added for grades kindergarten through eight. In 1990 the high school classrooms were relocated to the east side of Coolidge Avenue to complete the campus. In 1994, the Academy chapel was renovated and is now a beautiful auditorium. In the fall of 2002 the library was moved from the Patten University campus and a state-of-the-art computer lab was developed in the library building.
In 1974, recognizing that growth is essential for maintaining and improving its educational services, Patten Academy applied to the Western Association of Secondary Schoools and Colleges for accreditation. After an in-depth self-study, Patten Academy was granted full accreditation in 1975 and has held continuous accreditation since then.
In 1977, continuing to improve its educational services, Patten Academy joined the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). As an association strongly committed to helping Christian schools in the training of young men and women, ACSI provides a number of educational services which directly benefit administrators, teachers, staff and students.
In 1988, Patten Academy established its sports ministry department and began to compete in interscholastic athletics. Initially competing in boys basketball, the Patten Bulldogs joined the Bay Area Christian Athletic League in the fall of 1989, and added girls varsity basketball and boys JV basketball the following year. Baseball made a one year appearance in the spring of 1993 and was brought back in the Spring of 1998. Girls volleyball was added in Fall of 1998, boys soccer in fall of 1999, girls softball in the spring of 2001 and girls JV basketball in the winter of 2002-03. The Patten Bulldogs include a number of student-athletes who have received Oakland Tribune "Athlete of the Week" honors.
Patten Academy prides itself on its strong instrumental and vocal program, participating in ACSI musicales and festivals annually, receiving superior and command performance honors. Patten Academy students have also excelled at the state level numerous times and have received music scholarships to attend college.
On September 13, 2002, Patten Academy suffered a great loss as Dr. Evelyn Swanson went home to be with the Lord. Dr. Swanson served as Patten Academy principal for 30 years and will be greatly missed. On January 26, 2004, Patten Academy's founder, Dr. Bebe Patten, went home to be with the Lord.
Patten Academy is governed and supported by Christian Evangelical Churches of America, Inc. and exists as an extension of its ministry to the youth of the community.