Parents

A successful education arises from a partnership among students, parents, and faculty. We find that frequent, open, and honest communication is in everyone’s best interest.

At all grade levels, teachers schedule conferences to discuss each child’s progress. In addition, there are many ways to become involved in daily life at school that will both enlighten your understanding of your child’s development and enrich their school experience.

Whether you’re a new or returning parent, you can volunteer to assist classroom teachers, chaperone field trips, attend community service projects, or help with any number of our annual events, such as benefit luncheons, art shows, Carnival, book swap, or Big Sur Run & Walk.

One simple way to become an active participant is through the Parent Association, an organization of Upper and Lower School parents who support a variety of programs. All Santa Catalina parents are members. We encourage you to look into it, as this is a great opportunity to play an active role in your child’s once-in-a-lifetime Santa Catalina experience and create enduring friendships with other members of our school community.

2017-18 Lower and Middle School Planning Calendar

Santa Catalina Parent Portal

Please use the Parent Portal to update contact information, access the Family Directory, and view report cards for grades 6, 7, and 8. Parents will need their unique usernames and passwords to enter the Santa Catalina Parent Portal.

Santa Catalina Parent Portal

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I leave a message for my child?
How do I leave a message for a teacher?
Where can I find Middle School homework?
Where can I find information about purchasing a used uniform?
How do I get a copy of the sports schedule?
How can I find information about volunteer opportunities?
How do I get to Santa Catalina?

How do I leave a message for my child?

To leave a message for your child, call the Lower School office at 831.655.9324.

How do I leave a message for a teacher?

To leave a message for a teacher, call 831.655.9324, or send an email directly to the teacher.

Where can I find Middle School homework?

You can view homework and testing calendars through the Parent Portal.

Where can I find information about purchasing a used uniform?

For used uniforms, call Maureen Richards at 831.624.5540 or 831.320.7510.

How do I get a copy of the sports schedule?

The Grade 6–Grade 8 Athletics Schedule lists game times and places.

You can also visit our team pages for schedules for each individual sport.

How can I find information about volunteer opportunities?

Annual Benefit Celebration

An annual fall tradition, the Benefit Celebration brings the community together for an evening of wine tasting, silent and live auctions, local cuisine, and music. Made possible by the parents, faculty, and staff who volunteer on a variety of committees, all proceeds go to the tuition assistance program.

Athletic Program Support

Upper School athletes compete in 13 different sports. Generous parents provide team treats at most of the team events and sometimes assist the coach.

Big Sur 5K Run & Walk

The Big Sur 5K Run & Walk is a spring tradition that promotes health and fitness. A great event for the entire family, participation has been growing each year. The school coordinator will be in direct contact with a Big Sur 5K representative, coordinate paperwork and registration, and distribute shirts and numbers to the runners.

eScrip

Earning money for Santa Catalina is easy when a percentage of your transactions at local merchants including Safeway, Macy's, and Barnes & Noble go to support school. To sign up, register your debit and credit cards at www.escrip.com or call 800.254.5404.

Event Hospitality

There are a number of events during the year when you can assist with event hospitality. If you enjoy being a part of a "meet-and-greet" committee, this is the volunteer opportunity for you.

Faculty Appreciation Luncheon

In March, Upper and Lower school parents join together to honor Santa Catalina's dedicated faculty and staff at a luncheon. Held in the Upper School Dining Room, parents plan the menu and decorations. A number of volunteers are needed to help set up, bring delicious food, and serve the faculty and staff.

Faculty Meeting Refreshments

Parent volunteers provide much-appreciated refreshments for monthly Upper and Lower school faculty meetings.

Art Show

Lower School students create works of art in a wide array of media throughout the year. In May, their best efforts are showcased in a weeklong art show produced by art teacher Susan Smith. Parents assist in matting and displaying the artwork for this colorful show.

Book Swap

Lower School Book Swap gives children an opportunity to broaden their reading horizons as they trade books with other students. Parent volunteers manage the Book Swap table during lunch.

Carnival

Children and parents alike look forward to the springtime Carnival as a family day of fun that benefits the Lower School. Volunteers assist with fundraising activities including a benefit drawing, class booths, clothing sales, food booths, rides, and more. Serving on a Carnival committee is a great way to meet other parents while enhancing your child’s experience at school.

Community Service Projects

The entire Lower School participates in one community service project each month. Parent volunteers play a vital role in this facet of the children's education by helping plan and implement the project in each class.

Pumpkin Olympics

Pumpkin Olympics celebrates the Halloween holiday with Grades 1-8. Parent volunteers join faculty and staff to organize and cheer on teams as relay races of all sorts get everyone out onto the athletic field.

Room Parent

Room Parents are liaisons between class teachers and parents. They meet with teachers, plan events, and coordinate volunteers. Events include Annual Benefit Celebration class projects, class booths for Carnival, the annual Art Show, field trips, and class parties.

Santa Catalina Fund Committee

The Santa Catalina Fund Committee is an invaluable component of the Annual Fund drive. The volunteer committee liaises between the Development Office and other parents, communicates the purposes of the Annual Fund, encourages participation, and acknowledges our supporters throughout the year.

Santa Catalina Parent Association and Parent Association Board

The Parent Association supports the school through a number of projects and activities including the Faculty Appreciation Luncheon, Lower School Carnival, Christmas Luncheon, used uniform sale, and more. All parents are welcomed and encouraged to participate in activities and projects throughout the year. The group meets on the first Thursday morning of each month.

For more information, please contact the Development Office at 831.655.9379.

How do I get to Santa Catalina?

From the Monterey Airport

Turn right on Garden Road (1.4 miles)
Turn left on Mark Thomas Drive (489 feet)
Turn left into driveway marked by red tile "Santa Catalina School" sign

From the North

Travel on Highway 101 South
Take exit 336 for Monterey Peninsula/CA-156 West (6 miles)
Merge onto Highway 1 South (12.1 miles)
Take exit 402A Casa Verde Way (0.2 mile)
Turn left on Casa Verde Avenue (sign for North Fremont Street) (0.3 mile)
Turn right at Fairgrounds Road (0.2 mile)
Continue on Mark Thomas Drive (489 feet)
Turn left into driveway marked by red tile "Santa Catalina School" sign

From the East (Salinas)

Travel on Highway 101 North
Take the Peninsula/Monterey exit in Salinas (0.2 mile)
Turn right on Sanborn Road (0.8 mile)
Continue on East Blanco Road (1.6 miles)
Turn left at CA-68/South Main Street (14.2 miles)
Turn right on Olmsted Road (0.1 mile)
Turn left on Garden Road (1.4 miles)
Turn left at Mark Thomas Drive (489 feet)
Turn left into driveway marked by red tile "Santa Catalina School" sign

From the South (Carmel)

Travel on Highway 1 North
Take exit 401A Aguajito Road (0.2 mile)
Merge forward onto Mark Thomas Drive (0.7 mile)
Turn right into driveway marked by red tile "Santa Catalina School" sign

Once on Campus

Pass through main gate
There is an 'Admission Office Visitor' parking spot at the top of the parking lot on your right (that runs parallel to the road)
Opposite the parking area is a red brick staircase
At the top of the stairs, the first door on the left is the Lower School office

Forms and Handbooks

Textbook information
Downloadable Handbooks
Bookstore price lists - Books and Supplies

Textbook information

You may order new or used textbooks for grades 6, 7, and 8 through MBS Direct. Please follow instructions below to purchase:

Visit http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/santacatalina.htm and click on "Let's Get Started."
Under "School or Department," select Middle School.
Select the courses in which your student is enrolled.
Select new or used and make the purchase.

MBS Direct benefits include: