Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Cate School

5.00 (20 reviews)
1960 Cate Mesa Road, P.O. Box 5005 Carpinteria CA 93013
Tel: (805) 684-4127 Ext. 217
www.cate.org
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 300 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,975
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $58,975
  • Acceptance rate: 17%
  • Average class size: 10 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Cate School Photo #4 - Chemistry Class
Cate School Photo #5 - Outings Week
Cate School Photo #6 - Advisory
Cate School Photo #7 - College Day
Cate School Photo #8 - Service Day
Cate School Photo #9 - Baseball game
Cate School Photo #10 - Curtis Cate/Founders Day
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About the School

  • Founded in 1910, Cate School is a grade 9-12, coeducational, college preparatory boarding school in Carpinteria, California.
  • What began as a group of twelve boys and a few teachers has expanded into a 300-student, 57-teacher, deeply academic, and talented community with the most diverse student body of any boarding school of its size in the United States.
  • One of the most experienced and committed teaching faculty in the country: 82% hold advanced degrees, 18% of these have PhDs.
  • Cate is one of this nation's most selective boarding schools, accepting under 20% of our applicants each year.
  • 60% of Cate's most recent graduating class attend the country's 25 top-ranked colleges and universities, and 18% went to Ivy Leagues and Stanford.
  • The Cate experience combines academics, athletics, art, and co-curricular activities in a close-knit, community setting where students are enriched by their relationships with their teachers and each other.
  • When students leave Cate, they have the tools and the conviction to seek out lives full of purpose and meaning.
  • College admissions offices often report back that Cate students are among their schools' brightest, most dynamic, and intellectually curious individuals.
  • Mission: Through commitment, scholarship, companionship, and service, each member of the Cate community contributes to what our founder called: "...the spirit of this place...all compounded of beauty and virtue, quiet study, vigorous play, and hard work.".

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 300 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,975
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $58,975
  • Acceptance rate: 17%
  • Average class size: 10 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Top Rankings

Cate School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 269 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
School Resources
Highest endowment/student
Selectivity
Low acceptance rates
Offering Breadth
High # of AP/advanced courses offered
Student Test Scores
High average SAT scores
Student Test Scores
High ACT scores

School Overview

2026 School Data
Cate School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1910
1906
Campus Size
150 acres
125 acres
School Calendar
View School Calendar

Student Body

Enrollment
300 students
320 students
% Students of Color
58%
27%
% International Students
17%
21%
% Students Boarding
80%
65%
Average SAT Score
1350
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
31
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
10 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
82%
73%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Yes
Summer Program Details
View Summer Program Details
Accreditations
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) (ACS WASC)
# of AP Courses Offered
46
18
Courses
Advanced Art (A and AB)Advanced Art History
Advanced BiologyAdvanced Calculus 1 (AB)
Advanced Calculus 2 (BC)Advanced Ceramics
Advanced ChemistryAdvanced Chinese: Chinese Cinema
Advanced Chinese: LiteratureAdvanced Chinese: The Chinese Idiom
Advanced Choral Music: CamerataAdvanced Computer Science
Advanced English 11Advanced English 12
Advanced French: Language StudiesAdvanced French: Literature Studies
Advanced Global SystemsAdvanced History: Anthropological Perspectives
Advanced History: Comparative RevolutionsAdvanced History: Modern Middle East
Advanced History: Modern PresidencyAdvanced Mechanics with Calculus
Advanced Molecular GeneticsAdvanced Multivariable Calculus
Advanced PhotographyAdvanced Physics: Astrophysics
Advanced Physics: ElectronicsAdvanced Physics: Mechanics
Advanced Spanish: Hispanic CinemaAdvanced Spanish: Language Studies
Advanced Spanish: Literature StudiesAdvanced Spanish: Magical Realism
Advanced Spanish: Master Works of Spanish LiteratureAdvanced Statistics
Advanced Studio ArtAdvanced U.S. History
Directed StudiesJapanese 4
Linear AlgebraSenior Inquiry Project
Statistics

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$90 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$74,975
$71,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$58,975
$40,000
% Students on Financial Aid
28%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$54,405
$25,000

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Admissions

Application Deadline
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
17%
64%
Director of Admissions
Kyle Mason
Associate Director of Admissions
David Soto
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
20
17
Sports
BalletBaseball
BasketballCross Country
Cross Country RunningDance
FootballLacrosse
Mountain BikingMountaineering
Rock ClimbingSoccer
Surf TeamSwimming
TennisTrack
Track and FieldUltimate Frisbee
VolleyballWater Polo
Colors
Blue and Gold
School Mascot
Rams

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
32
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Alianza (Latino Student Alliance)Black Student Union
Blue CrewCalifornia Mathematics League
Cate Review (Literary Magazine)CateNet Masters
Chinese Language & Culture ClubCultural Awareness Club
Dance ClubEl Batidor (School Newspaper)
Film SocietyFinance Club
Green TeamHiking Club
LOGOSRound Square
RRCE (LGBTQ+ Support Club)South Asian Student Society
Student Book ClubStudent Senate
TERRAThe Crew (Video Club)
The Mesan (Yearbook)Theatre Arts
Tour GuidesWomen's Forum
Young Men's Forum


Arts and Music Programs:
CamerataCate Artists' Theatre
ChamberChorale
Latin American Students Organization

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
New York University
20
University of Southern California
17
Stanford University
14
University of Pennsylvania
13
University of Chicago
11
Barnard College
10
Colorado College
10
Georgetown University
10
Santa Clara University
7
Columbia University
6
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • With more than 150 courses offered, the goal of the Cate curriculum is to teach students to think and to develop in them a lifelong love of learning. Cate graduates consistently enroll in the country`s top colleges and universities.  Cate strongly values diversity. Our student body is comprised of 51% students of color. We enroll boys and girls from 26 states and 14 countries.  Our commitment to socio-economic diversity is evidenced by a financial assistance budget of more than $4,070,000.
  • 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)
    • Daniel Cherry - Senior VP, General Manager at ADIDAS
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cate School cost?
Cate School's tuition is approximately $74,975 for boarding students and $58,975 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Cate School?
The acceptance rate of Cate School is 17%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%. Cate School's acceptance rate is ranked as one of the top boarding schools 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, Ema Boateng and Daniel Cherry.
What sports does Cate School offer?
Cate School offers 20 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Football, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Surf Team, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Water Polo.
Does Cate School offer a summer program?
Yes, Cate School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Cate School's ranking?
Cate School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Highest endowment/student, Low acceptance rates, High # of AP/advanced courses offered, High average SAT scores and High ACT scores.
When is the application deadline for Cate School?
The application deadline for Cate School is Jan. 15.

Student & Alumni Reviews

Review
Description

Class of 2026
5.00
N/A
My school is a private institution that mainly focuses on providing basic education rather than advanced learning opportunities. While it does not offer specialized programs or extensive academic support, it has given me the independence. . .

Class of 2016
5.00
Occidental College
Cate is a smaller boarding school and has a very much community bubble. This is a west coast boarding school so people are more liberal and open to alternative teaching. They also emphasize outdoor learning. . .

Class of 2018
5.00
Claremont McKenna College
One aspect of Cate School that I think makes it unique is its campus. When I was doing my research for what kind of boarding school, I wanted to apply to, there were a few. . .
Show more reviews (17 reviews)
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 300 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,975
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $58,975
  • Acceptance rate: 17%
  • Average class size: 10 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
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