Cate School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked CA School
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 299 students
Yearly Tuition: $69,515
Acceptance rate: 14%
Average class size: 10 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Cate School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Cate School
9	76
10	79
11	75
12	69

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Year Founded

1910

Colors

White, Blue

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

299 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

37%

State avg.: 52%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

46 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

83%

Average Class Size

10 students

Number of AP Courses

22 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Average SAT score

1350

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Average Percentile SSAT

80%

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 15

Yearly Tuition Cost

$69,515

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

$54,825 for day students

% on Financial Aid

28%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$52,521

Acceptance Rate

14%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Charlotte Brownlee

Admissions Associate

David Soto

Sports

Total Sports Offered

18 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

ClimbingCross Country

Cross FitDance

FootballKayaking

LacrosseRock Climbing

SoccerSurf Team

SwimmingTennis

Track and FieldUltimate Frisbee

VolleyballWater Polo

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Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

37 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Alianza (Latino Student Alliance)American Sign Language

AwkapellaBlack Student Union

California Mathematics LeagueCaps for Good

Cate Artists' Theater EnsembleCate Liberals League

Cate RepublicansCate Review (Literary Magazine)

Chicken ClubEl Batidor (Newspaper)

Environmental ClubFLAG

French ClubGreen Team

Holiday Cheer (Community Service)International Club

Junior State of AmericaMock Trial

Model United NationsPandamonium

Public Service ClubRound Square

Scuba ClubSenate

Spanish ClubStream Team

Women's ForumWriting Dangerously

Young Men's Forum

Show More (15)Hide

Arts and Music Programs:

CamerataChamber Orchestra

ChoraleJazz Band

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Fitness ClubOutdoors Program

School Notes

Cate's student body is recognized as much for its talent-academic, artistic, and athletic-as it is for its warmth and vitality.
We welcome qualified applicants for openings in ninth, tenth and eleventh grades.
Cate is primarily a residential school; 82% of Cate students are boarders.
When considering applications, the admission committee, comprised of admission officers and faculty, reviews a student's previous record, recommendations from teachers, personal references, scores on the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT), extracurricular interests and strengths, and impressions and information obtained in the candidate's personal interview.
The School strives to enroll exceptional students who bring a wide variety of skills, interests, and backgrounds to the Cate community.

School Motto: Think critically, reason creatively.
School Mascot: Rams

We do not offer an ESL program which means we require our international students to be fluent in English. Our international applicants must take the TOEFL as part of the application process.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- David Crosby - Singer/songwirter
- Garrett Lisi - Noted physicist
- Billy Steinberg - Musician/Songwriter
- Warren Breidenbach III - Pioneering surgeon
- Sir John R.H. Bond - Financier
- Mona Khalil - United Nations
- Dr. William New - Inventor and physician
- Joshua Yaro - Professional soccer (MLS)
- Ema Boateng - Professional soccer (MLS)

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cate School cost?

Cate School's tuition is approximately $69,515 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Cate School?

The acceptance rate of Cate School is 14%, which is lower than the national average of 81%. Cate School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in California with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Cate School?

Cate School famous alumni include: David Crosby, Garrett Lisi, Billy Steinberg, Warren Breidenbach III, Sir John R.H. Bond, Mona Khalil, Dr. William New, Joshua Yaro and Ema Boateng.

Does Cate School offer a summer program?

Yes, Cate School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Cate School offer?

Cate School offers 18 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Fit, Dance, Football, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Surf Team, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Water Polo. Cate School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.

What is Cate School's ranking?

Cate School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Highest average ACT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Cate School?

The application deadline for Cate School is Jan. 15.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Santa Barbara County, CA is $27,538 for elementary schools and $43,101 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Santa Barbara County, CA is 61% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).