Thank you for your interest in Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School. Our regular admission season begins on October 1 and closes on February 1. After the February 1 priority deadline, applicants are welcome to complete our rolling admission process.

Admission Process

Step 1: Request information and create an account

Ready to explore Catalina? To connect with us and receive our viewbook, please introduce yourself on our Request Information form.

Once you inquire you will be invited to create an account to access our Catalina Admission Portal. Your invitation will be sent to the email address provided in our Request Information form. In the Catalina Admission Portal you can see all the steps to apply, learn about upcoming events, and stay in touch with us throughout the application process.

Make sure to choose Lower & Middle School once logged in.

 Lower & Middle School Admission Process
Step 2: Manage your application

Congratulations on setting up your account for the Catalina Admission Portal (Step 1)! You can now manage your application.

This account houses important admission information and is also where you will monitor the status of your application checklist. In your account you can:

  • Schedule your interview
  • Sign up for admission events 
  • Keep track of missing and completed application components
 Lower & Middle School Admission Process
Step 3: Schedule admission assessment

Santa Catalina applicants are required to complete admission assessments—screenings for PreK and kindergarten and an admission test for grades 1-8. Assessments begin in January.

  • PreK screening - This is a brief assessment of your child’s gross motor and fine motor skills, language and concept development, and overall readiness for PreKindergarten. Screening takes place on your visit day.
  • Kindergarten screening - This is a brief assessment of your child’s current functioning and growth that allows us to gauge if they are ready for kindergarten. Screening takes place February 2.
  • Grades 1-8 admission test - The test is composed of three sections of the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) test—verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning—and a writing sample for grades 5-8. This test is conducted on February 10.
 Lower & Middle School Admission Process
Step 4: Schedule a family interview and tour

To get to know each other better, a family interview and tour are required. During the interview, you have a chance to meet the Head of Lower and Middle School, learn more about our curriculum and programming, and ask questions specific to your child. In-person tours, conducted Monday–Friday, take you around our beautiful campus and help you envision where your child will learn and play. The interview and tour each last about an hour.

To schedule an interview and tour, email [email protected].

 Lower & Middle School Admission Process
Step 5: Track application progress and view admission decision

You can track your application progress in the Catalina Admission Portal. Once you have completed the following application requirements, your application will be complete:

  • Family Interview
  • Assessment — PreK-K screening or grades 1-8 admission test
  • Parent questionnaire (grades 1-8)
  • Teacher recommendation (grades 1-8)
  • Transcript (grades 1-8)
  • Writing sample (grades 5-8)
  • Application Fee ($50.00)
 Lower & Middle School Admission Process
Step 6: Admission Decision

Your admission decision

Applicants who have a complete application by February 1 can view their admission decision on March 5 in their Catalina account. Admission decisions are also sent to your home.

Rolling admission decisions

Applications are welcomed during our rolling admission process after our February 1 deadline. Rolling admission runs from March 10 to mid-August, and admission decisions will typically be available within seven days of a completed application. Applications will be considered depending on space available. The application requirements for rolling admission are the same as regular admission. Please call the admission office at 831.655.9337 for more information.

 Lower & Middle School Admission Process

Explore Catalina today!

Request Information

Contact Our Admissions Team

We look forward to getting to know you better. For more information, please contact the admission office at 831.655.9337 or [email protected].

Christine Westhoff

Miss Westhoff joined Catalina in 2024. She previously worked at St. Bede the Venerable School in La Cañada as the vice principal and served as the Dean of Grades 5-8 and Director of Student Services. Miss Westhoff is excited to be part of Santa Catalina’s admissions team and is inspired by the culture of the school. “Santa Catalina’s vision of preparing students to lead lives of meaning and purpose and the motto of Veritas both align with my philosophy of schooling and the way I choose to live my life,” she says. In her spare time, she enjoys going for walks, baking and cooking, and exploring the Monterey area.

I want to help potential families discern the right path for their family as they seek to find a community where their children can flourish and find joy in school.

Janet Luksik

Janet has worn many hats at Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School: parent volunteer, teacher, and director of PreK–8 admission and PreK–12 financial aid. Her son and daughter went all the way through the Lower and Middle School, from PreK–Grade 8, and her daughter went on to graduate from the Upper School. Janet loves to travel, snow ski, and spend time with family. She enjoys making the admission process as smooth as possible for visiting families and seeing their reactions as they discover what’s beyond the front gate.

Working to provide a Santa Catalina education for students who are motivated to learn, curious in nature, and compassionate citizens brings me great joy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I learn more about Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School?

Start by filling out our Request Information form. You can also join us at one of our admission events.

How and when should I apply?

The admission process begins the fall before your child’s anticipated year of entry. To begin the application process, fill out our Request Information form or call our admission office at 831.655.9337.

What does Santa Catalina look for in an applicant?

We look for students and families who will be a good addition to our community. Teacher recommendations, strong test scores, and a good academic record are important, as is the student visit and family interview. Beyond academic ability, we look for enthusiasm, warmth, and a strong desire to learn. We work diligently to build a compassionate and close-knit community and to make a Santa Catalina education accessible to qualified students through financial aid. We evaluate each applicant wholly to determine whether Santa Catalina is the right fit for them, and vice versa.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, financial aid is available. We encourage families to apply for financial aid if a Santa Catalina education would not otherwise be affordable.

For more information regarding our financial aid program, visit our Financial Aid page, or call Janet Luksik, Director of Financial Aid, at 831.655.9382.

What is your sibling policy?

We recognize that for many families, having all children enrolled at the same school is a priority. We value community and love that our campus becomes a home for many. However, no school’s approach to learning is a perfect match for every child. If all things are equal, siblings may receive preferential consideration.

How should I prepare my child for the admission test?

We strongly discourage applicants from taking test prep courses or being tutored in any way for admission testing. For the best testing situation, we recommend that children get a good night’s sleep and have breakfast before taking the test.

What is the religious affiliation of the school?

We are an independent Catholic school welcoming students of all faiths. At Santa Catalina, we believe in preparing and guiding young people toward intellectual growth and moral and spiritual awareness. About half of our students are Catholic and half are of other faiths.

Do you hold Mass? Is attendance required?

Grounded in the Catholic faith, we are a close-knit community enriched by a diverse group of students, teachers, and parents working together to nurture students' minds and hearts. Through community outreach, religion classes, and Mass, we strive to develop strong values and upstanding character in each of our students so they learn to become thoughtful citizens of the world. For this reason, we require students to attend Mass services once a month and participate in a way they feel comfortable. We invite parents to attend when they can.

How many classes are there per grade level?

From PreK through grade 5, each grade level has one class. In Middle School, grades 6-8, each class is divided into two sections.

What is the student-teacher ratio?

In PreK and kindergarten, the average class size is 14-16 students, overseen by a team of five teachers. During all critical instruction, there are no fewer than three teachers overseeing a lesson.

In grades 1-5, the average class size is 24-26 students, with one teacher and one full-time teaching assistant.

In grades 6-8, the average size of each section is 16-18 students. Middle School students transition to different subject areas throughout the day, each with specialized instructors.

Do you accept new students in every grade level?

The natural entry points for new students are pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and grade 6. Each year, pre-kindergarten has 20 spaces, kindergarten has 3-4 spaces, and Grade 6 has 12 spaces available. Families who do not gain admission via the natural entry points for the current school year are always encouraged to apply, as other grade levels accept new students based on availability.

Do you enroll military families?

Within close proximity to the Defense Language Institute and the Naval Postgraduate School, we have a long history of educating the children of military families. We welcome and encourage military families to apply and enroll at Santa Catalina while they’re stationed in the area. We are happy to refer you to one of our current military families to answer any questions you may have.

What if we missed the application deadline?

If you have missed the application deadline, we are happy to discuss your situation. Please contact the admission office at 831.655.9337.

 

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