Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Santa Catalina School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Santa Catalina School

  • LocationMonterey, CA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades PK–12 · 421 students
Official website

Santa Catalina School is a Catholic school in Monterey, California, with an all-girls Upper School for grades 9 to 12 (day and boarding). Its Rosary Chapel, in the Dominican tradition on which the school is founded, hosts Masses, Sunday communion services led by the school's chaplain, and weekly Wednesday chapel services. Religious studies is a two-year diploma requirement, and the school's program of studies describes itself as grounded in the Catholic faith.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Santa Catalina School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSan Carlos Borromeo Cathedral: 1.2 mi1Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church: 2.7 mi2Rosary Chapel: 0.1 miSanta Catalina School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral — 1.2 mi · 500 Church Street, Monterey
  2. Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church — 2.7 mi · 1475 La Salle Avenue, Seaside

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearA few times a year (The mission page says Masses are on the school calendar, and the spiritual life page says students and teachers gather in the Rosary Chapel for Masses. The Candlelight Mass is a Christmas tradition.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Mission & Identity | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/who-we-are/mission-identity · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “As a Catholic school, we take time in our school calendar for chapel services, Masses, retreats, and prayer.”
      The school's calendar includes chapel services, Masses, retreats and prayer.
    2. Spiritual Life | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/upper-school-all-girls-/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Rosary Chapel is the center of spiritual life on campus and a beautiful reminder of the Dominican tradition on which Santa Catalina is founded. Students, teachers, and the wider school community gather here for Masses, chapel services, quiet reflection, and special events.”
      The Rosary Chapel on campus is the center of spiritual life, and students and teachers gather there for Masses.
    3. Traditions | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/upper-school-all-girls-/student-life/traditions · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Candlelight Mass This beautiful Christmas Mass is followed by caroling and dessert around a fire at the Head of School's house.”
      An annual Christmas Candlelight Mass is a school tradition.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses and communion services are led by 'our school's chaplain'.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/upper-school-all-girls-/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Sunday Communion Services are led by our school’s chaplain. Students are regular participants and are an integral part of each service. When Mass is celebrated, students serve as readers, gift bearers, and Eucharistic ministers.”
      Sunday Mass and communion services are held for the Upper School, and the school's chaplain leads the communion services. The chaplain is not named.
CTheology and curriculum: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and curriculum

67 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredTwo years (The 2025-26 curriculum guide (the newest edition found) lists Religious Studies as a two-year diploma requirement. Counted as two full-year equivalents.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Santa Catalina School Curriculum Guide 2025-26santacatalina.org/userfiles/santacatalinaschoolv2mvc/03-upper-school/Santa%20Catalina%20School%20Curriculum%20Guide%202025-26.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Religious Studies - two years”
      Religious Studies is a two-year diploma requirement.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (The curriculum guide lists an Advanced Topics: Philosophy course that examines the relationship between faith and reason.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Santa Catalina School Curriculum Guide 2025-26santacatalina.org/userfiles/santacatalinaschoolv2mvc/03-upper-school/Santa%20Catalina%20School%20Curriculum%20Guide%202025-26.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Advanced Topics: Philosophy course is designed to introduce students to a number of significant philosophical questions such as the nature of reality, the question of truth and meaning, the ethical demand upon the individual, and the relationship between faith and reason.”
      An Advanced Topics philosophy course is offered and covers faith and reason.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Yes (The program of studies says it is grounded in the Catholic faith, and the mission page says faith and reason are complementary in teaching.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Santa Catalina School Curriculum Guide 2025-26santacatalina.org/userfiles/santacatalinaschoolv2mvc/03-upper-school/Santa%20Catalina%20School%20Curriculum%20Guide%202025-26.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Grounded in the Catholic faith, Santa Catalina is enriched by the diversity of”
      The program of studies describes the school as grounded in the Catholic faith.
    2. Mission & Identity | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/who-we-are/mission-identity · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “As a Catholic school, we take time in our school calendar for chapel services, Masses, retreats, and prayer.”
      The school's calendar includes chapel services, Masses, retreats and prayer.
N/ACampus culture: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    RetreatsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One chaplain is named by role only. A music ministry leader is also listed on the faculty page; not counted here.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/upper-school-all-girls-/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Sunday Communion Services are led by our school’s chaplain. Students are regular participants and are an integral part of each service. When Mass is celebrated, students serve as readers, gift bearers, and Eucharistic ministers.”
      Sunday Mass and communion services are held for the Upper School, and the school's chaplain leads the communion services. The chaplain is not named.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Service and Catholic social teaching

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Required service hoursNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Peace and Justice clubs, a fundraising club for children's cleft palate surgery, and an annual service trip abroad.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/upper-school-all-girls-/student-life/clubs-activities · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Peace & Justice Clubs These long-established clubs are united around important social justice issues.”
      The school has long-established Peace and Justice clubs organized around social justice issues.
      “Smile Fund/Alegria — Students fundraise to provide children with free cleft palate surgery all over the world.”
      A Peace and Justice club fundraises for free cleft palate surgery for children.
    2. Academics | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/upper-school-all-girls-/academics/academic-overview · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “On our service trip to Costa Rica, students spend time with locals, take part in adventures like ziplining, and take part in a service project, such as building walking paths in a national wildlife refuge.”
      The school runs a service trip to Costa Rica.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Masses and communion services are held in the Rosary Chapel on campus, and a school chaplain leads the communion services.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/upper-school-all-girls-/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Sunday Communion Services are led by our school’s chaplain. Students are regular participants and are an integral part of each service. When Mass is celebrated, students serve as readers, gift bearers, and Eucharistic ministers.”
      Sunday Mass and communion services are held for the Upper School, and the school's chaplain leads the communion services. The chaplain is not named.
      “The Rosary Chapel is the center of spiritual life on campus and a beautiful reminder of the Dominican tradition on which Santa Catalina is founded. Students, teachers, and the wider school community gather here for Masses, chapel services, quiet reflection, and special events.”
      The Rosary Chapel on campus is the center of spiritual life, and students and teachers gather there for Masses.
  • Religious studies is a two-year diploma requirement, and an Advanced Topics philosophy course is offered.
    Sources (1)
    1. Santa Catalina School Curriculum Guide 2025-26santacatalina.org/userfiles/santacatalinaschoolv2mvc/03-upper-school/Santa%20Catalina%20School%20Curriculum%20Guide%202025-26.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Religious Studies - two years”
      Religious Studies is a two-year diploma requirement.
      “The Advanced Topics: Philosophy course is designed to introduce students to a number of significant philosophical questions such as the nature of reality, the question of truth and meaning, the ethical demand upon the individual, and the relationship between faith and reason.”
      An Advanced Topics philosophy course is offered and covers faith and reason.
  • Peace and Justice clubs and a service trip abroad are part of student life.
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/upper-school-all-girls-/student-life/clubs-activities · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Peace & Justice Clubs These long-established clubs are united around important social justice issues.”
      The school has long-established Peace and Justice clubs organized around social justice issues.
    2. Academics | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/upper-school-all-girls-/academics/academic-overview · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “On our service trip to Costa Rica, students spend time with locals, take part in adventures like ziplining, and take part in a service project, such as building walking paths in a national wildlife refuge.”
      The school runs a service trip to Costa Rica.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Rosary Chapel

  • Address: 1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey, CA 93940
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: santacatalina.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, santacatalina.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

7 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 6 location not published

Service 3

  • Service trip to Costa RicaOff campus
    Students spend time with locals and complete a service project, such as building walking paths in a national wildlife refuge.
    santacatalina.org
  • Smile Fund / Allegria
    Students fundraise to provide children with free cleft palate surgery.
    santacatalina.org
  • Class community service
    During the school year
    Each class does community service activities during the year.
    santacatalina.org

Faith formation 1

  • Confirmation preparation
    Weekly classes for junior and senior students
    Preparation for Confirmation, offered under the guidance of the Diocese of Monterey.
    santacatalina.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Peace and Justice clubs
    An umbrella for student clubs on social justice, including Model U.N., Allegria/Smile Fund, Safe Space, R4 (environmental) and the Black Student Union.
    santacatalina.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Candlelight Mass
    Christmas
    A Christmas Mass followed by caroling and dessert at the Head of School's house.
    santacatalina.org

Other 1

  • Wednesday chapel services
    Weekly, Wednesdays
    A weekly service of prayer and reflection for students and teachers.
    santacatalina.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Spiritual Life | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/upper-school-all-girls-/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Sunday Communion Services are led by our school’s chaplain. Students are regular participants and are an integral part of each service. When Mass is celebrated, students serve as readers, gift bearers, and Eucharistic ministers.”
    Sunday Mass and communion services are held for the Upper School, and the school's chaplain leads the communion services. The chaplain is not named.
    “The Rosary Chapel is the center of spiritual life on campus and a beautiful reminder of the Dominican tradition on which Santa Catalina is founded. Students, teachers, and the wider school community gather here for Masses, chapel services, quiet reflection, and special events.”
    The Rosary Chapel on campus is the center of spiritual life, and students and teachers gather there for Masses.
    “The Rosary Chapel is the center of spiritual life on campus and a beautiful reminder of the Dominican tradition on which Santa Catalina is founded. Students, teachers, and the wider school community gather here for Masses, chapel services, quiet reflection, and special events.”
    The Rosary Chapel on campus is the center of spiritual life, and students and teachers gather there for Masses.
  2. Contact Us | Santa Catalina Schoolsantacatalina.org/contact · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “1500 Mark Thomas Drive Monterey CA 93940”
    The school's address is 1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey, CA 93940; the Rosary Chapel is on campus.

Reach out

Contact details for Upper School Office (General office (main line for the Upper School)) and 4 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
98 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of scoreThis measure counts for 75% of the Academic Excellence score.100%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.8.8 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseDiocese of Monterey, CA
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)421
Students in grades 9–12197
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio8.8 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
SettingSuburb

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Local Church

Diocese of Monterey

The Most Reverend Ramon Bejarano, Bishop of Monterey

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Santa Catalina School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Santa Catalina School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Monterey.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in California · California rankings