Santa Catalina School is dedicated to the education of young women by giving careful consideration to the individual abilities and potential of each girl. Our goal is to balance intellectual growth with spiritual awareness, creativity with order, and individuality with compassion. Our course of studies is college preparatory and established in the classical tradition of the arts and sciences. It is enhanced by vigorous programs in the fine and performing arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

We believe that our single-sex environment is optimal for learning and for growth in initiative and self-confidence. We challenge each student to strive for academic excellence, to assume leadership, and to perform at her best in every endeavor. It is our tradition in every arena of school life to foster the formation of moral values. We work to deepen each student's sense of responsibility to herself, to others, to school, and to God. Catholic and ecumenical, we encourage spiritual growth through worship, religious study, and community service.

Santa Catalina is enriched by the diversity of socioeconomic, religious, geographic, and cultural backgrounds represented by our students and faculty. Friendships and values established at Santa Catalina endure for a lifetime. Our entire program seeks to nurture in each student both personal growth and a maturing awareness of community and global needs. At Santa Catalina, we believe that the promise of the future rests in the young woman who acts with confidence, grace, courage, and dignity as a citizen of the world.

Lower School Mission Statement

Santa Catalina Lower School provides an educational program designed to encourage each boy and girl to work effectively, to communicate articulately, to approach life with a sense of purpose and competence, and to take responsibility for our gifts from God. Our curriculum enables children to study the classic and the contemporary as they develop academic, artistic, and athletic skills and talents under the guidance of experienced teachers who take the time to know each child well. We are a close-knit, Christian community of students, teachers, and parents working together to nurture student minds and hearts. Our goal is that our graduates will be successful students in secondary schools and responsible, thoughtful citizens of the world. We believe that in the process of preparing and guiding young people toward intellectual growth and moral and spiritual awareness, the beginning is everything.

School Profile

Santa Catalina is an independent Catholic college-preparatory school founded in Monterey, California, in 1850 and established on its present site in 1950. It offers an all-girls' Upper School (Grades 9-12), a coeducational Lower School (Grades PreK-8), and a Summer Camp for girls entering Grades 3-9. Students represent many ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Superb facilities include a 31,000-volume library, computer technology in all academic disciplines, modern science laboratories, the Bedford Family Gymnasium, Sister Carlotta Performing Arts Center, Mary L. Johnson Music Center, and Salyer Aquatic Center.

Curriculum

 Upper School--Advance Placement courses in Economics, English, Calculus, Chemistry, French Language, Spanish Literature and Language, Latin, U.S. History, European History, Biology, Music Theory, Studio Art and, by tutorial, French Literature and Physics. Honors courses start at Level 1 in English and at Level 2 and above in foreign languages, chemistry, and mathematics. Rigorous academics are complemented by programs in community service, the visual and performing arts, and athletics, including an established riding program. Lower School--Our strong academic program, beginning in Pre-Kindergarten, enables students to build competence and confidence. We offer a blend of technologies and traditional methodologies in a creative environment that supports excellence and encourages students to reach their full potential.

Accreditation

Santa Catalina School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)

General Information

Administration:
Sister Claire Barone    Head of School
John Aime   Assistant Head of School
Richard Patterson Assistant Head of School for Advancement
John Murphy, Ph.D.      Head of Upper School
Sister Christine Price  Assistant Head of Upper School
Lisa Antell Upper School Director of Admission / Director of Financial Aid
Linda Mutty Lower School Division Head, Grades 5 - 8
Christy Pollacci  Lower School Division Head, Grades PreK - 4 / Lower
School Director of Admission
Rita Alves  Business Manager
Laurie Pope-Browne      Director of Development

Current Enrollment:
Upper School = 254 girls

Lower School = 260 co-ed

Student-Teacher Ratio:
Upper School = 8:1 (average class size = 14 students)
Lower School
*PreK = 7:1
* Grades K-5 = 11:1 (average class size = 22 students)
* Grades 6-8 = 18:1 (average class size = 18 students)

Tuition and Registration Information2008-2009 Tuition and Fees for the Upper School
Tuition is $39,000 for resident students and $25,250 for day students. Additional expenses may include books, uniforms, travel and spending money. In 2007-2008, 26 percent of Santa Catalina Upper School students received financial aid awards totaling over $1.4 million. The average grant for a resident student was $24,930, and $13,900 for day students.

To receive more information or to schedule a visit to campus, please complete and submit the on-line inquiry form or call the Admission Office at (831) 655-9356; email Admissions@santacatalina.org

2008-2009 Tuition and Fees for the Lower School
Tuition for Pre-Kindergarten is $9,000, Kindergarten tuition is $13,750, and tuition for Grades 1-8 is $17,000. Additional expenses will include books, uniforms and supplies. In 2007-2008, 13 percent of Santa Catalina Lower School students received financial aid awards totaling over $315,000, with an average grant of $8,000. Financial aid is available for students entering Grades K-8. For additional information or to schedule a visit to campus, please complete and submit the on-line inquiry form or call the Admission Office at (831) 655-9351; email LSAdmission@santacatalina.org