Palma is dedicated to providing young men an excellent college preparatory education in a Roman Catholic environment that embraces the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education and challenges each individual to develop spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, and socially.

School Profile

Palma High School was founded in 1951 through the efforts of Monsignor Thomas J. Earley and dedicated laymen, among them the late Joseph Piini and the late Lloyd Stolich. Their collective dream of Catholic secondary education was realized in September, 1951 when Palma opened its doors to boys and girls as a co-institutional school. The boys were instructed and have continued to be instructed by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. The Christian Brothers, known internationally as Catholic educators, were founded in 1802 by Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice who was beatified in Rome on October 6, 1996; his feast day has been set as May 5. This great man's goal was to give the youth of his time a unique Christian education. Brother Rice passed to his eternal reward in 1844; today his work continues in 27 countries by 2,568 Brothers in over 500 schools on six continents. Their motto, Facere et Docere, "To Do and to Teach," bears witness to their tradition of experienced and effective Catholic education. Palma continued to be operated as a co-institutional school for thirteen years when, in 1964, a separate facility for girls was opened a few blocks away. At that time, Palma became an all boys' school and the Christian Brothers assumed administration of the entire facility.

The Christian Brothers are a talented group of men who attempt to lead young men toward the fulfillment of their human potential, always aiming to bring that potential to bear on the realities of the practical world. The faculty of Palma, lay and religious, chosen for sound professional preparation and subject-area expertise, contribute unique abilities toward an integrated, consistently superior, learning experience. Together with their students and parents, Palma strives to build a community of faith based on the Roman Catholic tradition.

Over the last 56 years Palma has built itself a reputation as a leader in the development of the whole person and is one of the leading private secondary schools in the state of California. Palma High School is the only Roman Catholic secondary-level private school for young men within 65 miles. It is a six-year school open to young men of all denominations. As a private college preparatory institution, it has been a stepping stone into business and the professions for thousands of young men over the years. Palma students have traditionally felt and experienced a call to success and accomplishment. Palma rates high academically among schools in the central coast section of California. In an agricultural community, where post-high school academic work sometimes gives place to more immediate concerns, approximately 99% of Palma graduating seniors continue their schooling in a post-secondary setting.

Curriculum

Palma operates on an 8-period day, with each period lasting 46 minutes (including lunch) . The average number of courses taken is seven. Palma requires graduates to have a total of 240 credits. Ninety nine percent of Palma's 2007 graduates entered colleges. Palma's guidance department is staffed by trained counselors. Tutoring is coordinated through the guidance department. In addition to the core academic program, preparing young men for higher education and, ultimately, professional and business careers, Palma makes available through the R.O.P. program a limited number of vocational courses, directing interested students towards profitable skills.

The athletic program at Palma embraces a wide range of competitive physical activities. With a professional coaching staff, a large and well-equipped gymnasium and ten acres of playing fields, sports-minded young men have the guidance and facilities to achieve creditable accomplishments. Football, basketball, baseball, cross-country, water polo, swimming + diving, wrestling, track and field, tennis, soccer, volleyball, and golf comprise the school's athletic program. Non-athletic and club activities include the high school yearbook, the junior high yearbook, the newspaper, the Investment Club, the Ecology Club, the Young Republicans Club, the Science Club, the Latin Club, the literary journal, a music program, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, ski club, roller hockey club, as well as other social and academic activities on both the high school and junior high school levels.

Accreditation

Palma is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA). Palma diplomas are recognized by all institutions of higher education; Palma's courses of study are registered with the University of California.

General Information

Administration:
Br. Patrick Dunne C.F.C., Principal
Mr. Kevin Rawson, Vice Principal
Mr. Steve Soper, Dean of Discipline
Mr. Steve Clayton, Athletic Director
Br. Jason Ford, C.F.C., Activities Director
Br. Bernard Samp, C.F.C., Webmaster
Mr. Roger Connor, Admissions Director

Current Enrollment:
630 male students in grades seven through twelve

Student-Teacher Ratio:
24.1 students per teacher

Tuition (2007-2008):		Fees (2007-2008):
High School	$9,095.00	$400 registration fee and $400 building maintenance fee
Junior High	$6,496.00	$400 registration fee and $400 building maintenance fee

Registration Information

1. Any student wishing to enter Palma must be a student in good standing in the school from which he plans to transfer. Good standing is defined as being at least a "C" student and not being asked to leave his former school for discipline reasons.
2. No student will be accepted or readmitted as a student at Palma unless he has been immunized against: 1) diphtheria; 2) pertussis; 3) tetanus; 4) polio; and 5) measles, mumps and rubella. A physician's certificate of proof of immunization must be provided prior to acceptance or readmission; this proof is usually provided on the blue California School Immunization Record card. There will be no waiver of the immunization requirement at Palma; any student not in compliance will be excluded from attending classes until such time he is in compliance with this policy.
3. It is Palma's policy that every young man entering our 9th grade be required to have undergone a full physical examination since completing the 8th grade and prior to the first day of school as a ninth grade student. The physical should be undergone by the family physician; it will suffice for the entire freshman year and will cover one's participation in various school activities, including athletics.
4. All students accepted into and entering Palma's 7th and 9th grades are placed on academic probation from the start of the school year and shall remain on academic probation until the First Quarter grades have been posted. Students entering Palma other than at the start of the school year or beyond the First Quarter shall have their eligibility determined by their most current school work performance record as concluded by Palma's Academic Vice Principal.
5. Application to attend Palma must be submitted to the Admissions Director. The following criteria will be used as a basis for acceptance.

• Into the 7th GRADE:
  Entrance test score on the STS Educational Development Test, grammar school grades, and grammar school recommendation; and date of application.
• Into the 8th GRADE:
  7th Grade students in good standing from Palma Junior High; Entrance test scores on the STS Educational Development Test, grammar school grades, and grammar school recommendation; and date of application.
• Into the 9th GRADE:
  8th Grade students in good standing from Palma Junior High; Entrance test scores on the STS High School Placement Test, previous school grades, and recommendation from the previous school; and date of application.
• Into the 10th, 11th or 12th GRADES:
  Interview, evaluation of previous school grades for courses completed and credits earned, and recommendation form