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, 19 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 (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 200 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $68,500
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $43,500
- Average class size: 11 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Santa Catalina School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 277 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
Year Founded
1950
1907
Campus Size
36 acres
125 acres
School Motto
VERITAS—truth—our school motto
Student Body
Enrollment
200 students
319 students
% Students of Color
41%
27%
% International Students
20%
20%
% Students Boarding
58%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
29
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
74%
72%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$56.9 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$68,500
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$43,500
$36,000
% Students on Financial Aid
37%
40%
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Director of Admissions
Jamie Buffington Browne '85
Associate Director of Admissions
Ala Milani ’87
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
29
18
Courses
AT: Computer Science & Technology, AT: Dramatic Literature, AT: History Research Seminars (6), AT: Mandarin Chinese, AT: Marine Ecology Research 3, AT: Multivariable Calculus, AT: Philosophy, AT: Physics w/ Tigonometry, AT: Physics w/Calculus, AT: Shakespeare, AT: Spanish Literature, AT: Statistics, AT: The Art of Rhetoric, AT: The Reality of Fantasy, Biology AP, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry AP, English Literature AP, French Language AP, Mandarin Chinese AP, Music Theory AP, Spanish Language AP, US History AP
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
12
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
44
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Accents (Dance), Alegria, BURRITO (improv group), Catalina Children's Fund, Catalinan (Yearbook), Chemistry Club, Chinese Culture Club, ECCO (a capella), French Culture Club, Health and Wellness Committee, Jewish Cultural Club, Korean Culture Club, Lady Rhythmics (body percussion), Lamplighter (Student Newspaper), Math Tutoring Center, Mock Trial, Model United Nations, Mosaic (Literary Magazine), Movie Club, National Honor Society, Peace and Justice, R4 (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew), Reverb (Music Group), Robotics Team, Safe Space, Spanish Language and Culture Club, Student Senate, Students of Color Affinity Group, TEDxSantaCatalinaSchool, Thespian Society, Wildlife Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Ballet (Pointe), Choir, Contemporary Dance, Digital Media, Hip-Hop Dance, Instrumental Ensemble, Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre Dance, Photography (Darkroom), Private music lessons, Tap Dance
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Rugby Club, Strength and Conditioning
Accents (Dance), Alegria, BURRITO (improv group), Catalina Children's Fund, Catalinan (Yearbook), Chemistry Club, Chinese Culture Club, ECCO (a capella), French Culture Club, Health and Wellness Committee, Jewish Cultural Club, Korean Culture Club, Lady Rhythmics (body percussion), Lamplighter (Student Newspaper), Math Tutoring Center, Mock Trial, Model United Nations, Mosaic (Literary Magazine), Movie Club, National Honor Society, Peace and Justice, R4 (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew), Reverb (Music Group), Robotics Team, Safe Space, Spanish Language and Culture Club, Student Senate, Students of Color Affinity Group, TEDxSantaCatalinaSchool, Thespian Society, Wildlife Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Ballet (Pointe), Choir, Contemporary Dance, Digital Media, Hip-Hop Dance, Instrumental Ensemble, Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre Dance, Photography (Darkroom), Private music lessons, Tap Dance
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Rugby Club, Strength and Conditioning
College Matriculation
Year: 2019 - 2023
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
University of Southern California
10
Chapman University
8
University of California, Berkeley
7
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
6
University of San Diego
6
Northeastern University
5
Syracuse
5
University of California, Davis
4
University of California, Los Angeles
4
Johns Hopkins University
3
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 three-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 Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), and the National Coalition of Girls Schools (NCGS).
- Santa Catalina School accreditations: Western Association of Schools and Colleges; NAIS, CAIS, NCGS, TABS, CASE, CEEB, NACAC, WBSA, SSAT
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Cynara Coomer, M.D. ’87 - General surgeon at Staten Island University Hospital and a a medical contributor at Fox News
- Monica C. Lozano ’74 - Publisher and CEO of the Spanish language newspaper, La Opinión, in Los Angeles
- Kate Dentoni Mitchell ’76 - CEO and co-founder of Scale Venture Partners and chairman of the National Venture Capital Association
- Leslie Redlich Cockburn ’70 - Award-winning investigative journalist and filmmaker
- Jessica Koehne ’96 - Physical scientist, NASA Ames Center for Nanotechnology
- Angelique Cabral ’97 - Actress, best known for her role on "Life in Pieces"
- Brita Sigourney ’08 - Olympic bronze medalist, freestyle skiing
- Teresa Barger ’73 - CEO, Cartica Capital
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Santa Catalina School cost?
Santa Catalina School's tuition is approximately $68,500 for boarding students and $43,500 for day students.
Who are famous alumni from Santa Catalina School?
Santa Catalina School famous alumni include: Cynara Coomer, M.D. ’87, Monica C. Lozano ’74, Kate Dentoni Mitchell ’76, Leslie Redlich Cockburn ’70, Jessica Koehne ’96, Angelique Cabral ’97, Brita Sigourney ’08 and Teresa Barger ’73.
What sports does Santa Catalina School offer?
Santa Catalina School offers 12 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Water Polo.
Does Santa Catalina School offer a summer program?
Yes, Santa Catalina School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Santa Catalina School's ranking?
Santa Catalina School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High # of AP/advanced courses offered.
When is the application deadline for Santa Catalina School?
The application deadline for Santa Catalina School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
All girls, religious, mandatory church/ religious studies, volunteer, arts, athletics.. . .
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Santa Catalina School also viewed these schools: Stevenson School, Cate School, The Thacher School, Miss Porter's School and Chatham Hall.
The nearest boarding school to Santa Catalina School is Stevenson School (4.4 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
510 students 4.4 miles 3152 Forest Lake Road
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
(831) 625-8309
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
(831) 625-8309
4.4
9-12
PK-12
PK-12
510
300 students 202.3 miles 1960 Cate Mesa Road, P.O. Box 5005
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4127
202.3
9-12
300
255 students 210.8 miles 5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
210.8
9-12
255
335 students 2615.4 miles 60 Main Street
Farmington, CT 06032
(860) 409-3530
Farmington, CT 06032
(860) 409-3530
2615.4
9-12
335
120 students 2333 miles 800 Chatham Hall Circle
Chatham, VA 24531
(434) 432-5516
Chatham, VA 24531
(434) 432-5516
2333
9-12
120
Recent Articles
Why a Progressive School?
Sending your son or daughter to a progressive school sounds like a real leap of faith. It is until you look more closely at the kind of education your child will receive. Then you will understand the idealism in action which progressive schools embody.
Academics: International Baccalaureate & Advanced Placement
We compare and contrast the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement. We also explore their distinct educational philosophies, curriculum structures, assessment methods, and global recognition to help students and parents make informed decisions about which rigorous academic program best suits their educational goals and learning preferences.
Education Beyond the Classroom: The Role of Outdoor Adventure in Shaping Young Minds
The concept of outdoor education dates back to the early 20th century as educators sought ways to engage students beyond traditional methods. Early efforts initially focused on direct, experiential learning in nature, but later evolved to incorporate academics, collaborative skills, and a focus on environmental responsibility. Outdoor education today equips students with critical life skills, preparing them for the world beyond the classroom.
