Founded in 1950, Santa Catalina School is an independent, Catholic, day and boarding school for girls in California.
We are located on 36 acres in beautiful Monterey, a two-hour drive south of San Francisco.
Our students choose from a variety of academic offerings, including 11 Advanced Placement (AP) classes, 16 Advanced Topics (AT) classes, and our signature marine ecology research program.
We also offer a wide range of visual and performing arts electives, including theatre, digital media, photography, and dance.
Our students discover skills, talents, and interests they never knew existed within themselves-whether it's playing one of 12 interscholastic sports, or leading a club, or serving the greater community.
Class sizes are small and are taught the way girls learn most effectively, often with open discussion and group projects.
The Catalina experience is about asking deeper questions, taking braver chances, and making bolder mistakes-to become leaders that impact their communities and the world around them.
Quick Stats (2023-24)
- Top Ranked CA School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 391 students
- Average class size: 11 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Santa Catalina School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School History
School Resources
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
Year Founded
1950
Student Body
Total Students
391 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
28%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
51 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
73%
Average Class Size
11 students
Number of AP Courses
11 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, English Language, English Literature, Environmental Science, French Language, Human Geography, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, Music Theory, Physics C, Physics I, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, Statistics, Studio Art, U.S. History, World History
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Uniform
Uniform
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Feb. 1
Tuition Notes
Day - $38,250; Resident - $59,000
% on Financial Aid
41%
Admissions Director
Jamie Buffington Browne '85
Admissions Associate
Ala Milani '87
Endowment Size
$44.2 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
16 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
40 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Accents (Dance Group), Admission Tour Guides, BURRITO (Improv Group), Chemistry Club, Chinese Culture Club, ecco! (A Cappella Singing Group), French Culture Club, Health and Wellness Committee, Jewish Culture Club, Korean Culture Club, Lady Rhythmics (Body Percussion Group), Math Tutoring Center, Mock Trial, Model UN Club, National Honor Society, Peace & Justice Club, Prefects, R4 (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew), Reverb (Music Group), Robtics, Safe Space, Spanish Culture Club, STAR - Student Alumnae Organization, Student Literary Magazine, Student Newspaper, Student Senate, Students of Color Affinity Group, TEDxSantaCatalinaSchool, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Ballet (Pointe), Chamber Choir, Chamber Ensemble, Contemporary Dance, Digital Media, Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre Dance, Photography (Darkroom), Private Music Lessons, Tap Dance
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Rugby Club
Accents (Dance Group), Admission Tour Guides, BURRITO (Improv Group), Chemistry Club, Chinese Culture Club, ecco! (A Cappella Singing Group), French Culture Club, Health and Wellness Committee, Jewish Culture Club, Korean Culture Club, Lady Rhythmics (Body Percussion Group), Math Tutoring Center, Mock Trial, Model UN Club, National Honor Society, Peace & Justice Club, Prefects, R4 (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew), Reverb (Music Group), Robtics, Safe Space, Spanish Culture Club, STAR - Student Alumnae Organization, Student Literary Magazine, Student Newspaper, Student Senate, Students of Color Affinity Group, TEDxSantaCatalinaSchool, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Ballet (Pointe), Chamber Choir, Chamber Ensemble, Contemporary Dance, Digital Media, Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre Dance, Photography (Darkroom), Private Music Lessons, Tap Dance
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Rugby Club
School Notes
- The co-curricular advisory program, Journey, assists students in developing their highest personal, academic, and spiritual potential.
- Introductory through advanced level courses are offered in art, photography, music, dance, and theatre.
- Performance facilities include a professional-level 500-seat performing arts center, a 150-seat recital hall, and a dance studio.
- Our signature marine ecology program is a 3-year intensive focus on marine science for a select group of students beginning in their sophomore year. Students study in and around the ocean, doing research, learning by observation, testing hypotheses, and experimenting in the bay itself.
- Our college counseling goal is to help each young woman find the right program that is the best academic, extracurricular, and personal fit for her.
- Our strong alumnae base is comprised of more than 5,000 women with 15 domestic and 3 international alumnae association chapters.
- Accreditations and memberships include the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), and the National Coalition of Girls Schools (NCGS).
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are Santa Catalina School often compared to?
Santa Catalina Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like San Carlos School by visitors of our site.
What sports does Santa Catalina School offer?
Santa Catalina School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Water Polo. Santa Catalina School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.
What is Santa Catalina School's ranking?
Santa Catalina School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Largest student body, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.
When is the application deadline for Santa Catalina School?
The application deadline for Santa Catalina School is Feb. 1.
Related Schools
Show me:
Popular comparisons: Santa Catalina School vs. San Carlos School
People that viewed Santa Catalina School also viewed these schools: San Carlos School, Monterey Bay Christian School, York School, Junipero Serra School and Stevenson School Carmel Campus.
The nearest high school to Santa Catalina School is Monterey Bay Christian School (1.7 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is San Carlos School (1.3 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
San Carlos School
(Catholic)
Grades: PK-8 | 290 students 1.3 miles 450 Church St
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 375-1324
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 375-1324
1.3
PK-8
290
Grades: PK-12 | 141 students 1.7 miles 1184 Hilby Ave
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-2060
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-2060
1.7
PK-12
141
Grades: 8-12 | 204 students 4.5 miles 9501 York Road
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 372-7338
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 372-7338
4.5
8-12
204
Grades: PK-8 | 130 students 4.4 miles 3090 Rio Rd.
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-8322
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-8322
4.4
PK-8
130
Grades: PK-8 | 217 students 4.5 miles 24800 Dolores St
Carmel By The Sea, CA 93921
(831) 574-4600
Carmel By The Sea, CA 93921
(831) 574-4600
4.5
PK-8
217
School Reviews
5
Santa Catalina is a wonderfully nurturing academic, social, cultural, and spiritual experience for boarders and day students alike. Although I graduated many years ago, the Santa Catalina community has long played a major role in my life. My classmates remain my closest friends and my ongoing volunteer work on behalf of the Catalina community has been incredibly rewarding. I consider my years at Santa Catalina to be an irreplaceable experience and the best gift my parents ever gave me.
5 11/17/2023
Exceptional educational experience and the most supportive and nurturing environment I have ever witnessed. We have three very different girls who have all flourished with an incredible array of learning opportunities in the arts, STEM, music, theater, sports, etc. We have been at Santa Catalina for 6 years with two still in the lower school and one now in the high school. We feel truly blessed to be a part of this inclusive, nurturing, and enriching community. One of our daughters is dyslexic and the learning specialists and teachers have been fantastic catalysts to support her strengths and style of learning. The opportunities in the high school for the development of empowered young women are exceptional and inspiring to witness. Our sophomore has blossomed into an intelligent, resourceful, confident, and caring young woman who is able to pursue her passions for the theater, honors-level learning, and the unique and extraordinary marine biology program. The leadership team is also exceptional and very approachable and accessible. It truly is a fabulous and unique school for the learning and growth of the entire child.
5 10/27/2023
I graduated from Santa Catalina decades ago, but the life lessons and friendships that i made there resonate in my daily personal, spiritual and professional life. Quite simply, Catalina changed my life. Academic excellence, introduction to the arts in all its forms, respect for people from different backgrounds, introduction to great athletic opportunities, and fun campus life made my Catalina years best in class. The location on the Monterey Peninsula and the beautiful campus only enhanced the overall experience.
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