Dominican Tradition
Founded in 1950 by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, Santa Catalina School is rooted in the Dominican charism, which emphasizes the pursuit of truth through academic study, prayer, and meaningful relationships with others. As an independent Catholic school, Santa Catalina continues to advance this mission by providing a holistic education that integrates rigorous academics, community engagement, and the call to serve others.
Santa Catalina School embraces the true meaning of the word "catholicity" (from the Greek words kata and holos, meaning "inclusive of everyone") with an invitation and welcoming spirit to all of our students. We affirm and celebrate the religious diversity of our student body with a grounding in the particularity of our Catholic heritage and an openness to truth.
Upper School Spiritual LifeThe Rosary Chapel serves as the spiritual center of the school community and as a focal point of its liturgical life. Mass and other liturgical celebrations are held each Sunday, drawing together boarding students, resident faculty, and members of the wider community in shared worship. In addition, all students and faculty participate in a weekly Chapel Service each Wednesday, sustaining a practice of communal reflection and prayer integral to the school’s mission. Beyond these formal observances, the Rosary Chapel remains open for individual prayer and contemplation, providing a sacred space for silence, reflection, and spiritual renewal.
Upper School Spiritual LifeThe Religious Studies Department advances the mission of the school by contributing to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual formation of its students. In cultivating leaders of compassion and conscience, the department engages students in the disciplined study of world religions, scripture, Catholic social teaching, and philosophy. Coursework invites critical reflection on questions of justice, morality, and truth, encouraging students to integrate intellectual inquiry with ethical discernment. Throughout the curriculum, students are guided toward a deeper understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition and its articulation of the dynamic relationship between faith and reason as a framework for understanding the human pursuit of meaning and the common good.
Upper School Spiritual Life
Inspired by the example of St. Catherine of Siena, the school’s patron saint, Santa Catalina seeks to form students who will lead lives of meaning and purpose and become the persons they are meant to be.
Campus Ministry
Students and teachers come together each week for a Wednesday chapel service. Gathering to pray together is supportive and nourishing for our community. These weekly services usually include hymns, readings from scripture, communal prayers, a time for meditation, and an opportunity for a student or faculty member to share an experience or some thoughts with the rest of our school community. Themes for chapel services throughout the year include service, cultural traditions, holy holidays, and student milestones.
Sunday Mass is a regular part of resident life. Day students and their families are always welcome as well. Significant Masses are also celebrated during the school year, including Opening of School Mass, our annual St. Catherine of Siena Mass, and Baccalaureate Mass. Our special Candlelight Mass for the Christmas season is a highlight for our students and alumnae and is a longstanding tradition at school.
Each class spends time during the year performing various community service activities. These have included habitat restoration, food preparation for homeless shelters, clothing drives, and beach cleanups.
Confirmation classes are taught to juniors and seniors every other year. The bishop of the Diocese of Monterey comes to school and administers the sacrament to the confirmandi.
As Pope Paul VI said, “If you want peace, you must work for justice.” Students learn about important social justice issues in their Religious Studies classes and are encouraged to put their concerns into action in a variety of ways at Santa Catalina, including through club activities.