Application Process

Ready to explore Catalina? We can’t wait to meet you! 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.

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

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 January 24.

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 8.

We can’t wait to meet you! 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 lmsadmission@santacatalina.org.

Your application progress

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)

Your admission decision

Applicants who have a complete application by February 1 can view their admission decision on March 10 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 7 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.