Cate School (2026 Profile) - Carpinteria, CA

5.00 (19 reviews)

Tel: (805) 684-4127 Ext. 217

1960 Cate Mesa Road, P.O. Box 5005
Carpinteria, CA 93013

www.cate.org

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Cate School Photo #2 - Sophomore English Class

Cate School Photo #10 - Curtis Cate/Founders Day

Founded in 1910, Cate School is a grade 9-12, coeducational, college preparatory boarding school in Carpinteria, California.

What began as a group of twelve boys and a few teachers has expanded into a 300-student, 57-teacher, deeply academic, and talented community with the most diverse student body of any boarding school of its size in the United States.

One of the most experienced and committed teaching faculty in the country: 82% hold advanced degrees, 18% of these have PhDs.

Cate is one of this nation's most selective boarding schools, accepting under 20% of our applicants each year.

60% of Cate's most recent graduating class attend the country's 25 top-ranked colleges and universities, and 18% went to Ivy Leagues and Stanford.

The Cate experience combines academics, athletics, art, and co-curricular activities in a close-knit, community setting where students are enriched by their relationships with their teachers and each other.

When students leave Cate, they have the tools and the conviction to seek out lives full of purpose and meaning.

College admissions offices often report back that Cate students are among their schools' brightest, most dynamic, and intellectually curious individuals.

Mission: Through commitment, scholarship, companionship, and service, each member of the Cate community contributes to what our founder called: "...the spirit of this place...all compounded of beauty and virtue, quiet study, vigorous play, and hard work.".

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 311 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,975
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $58,975
Acceptance rate: 17%
Average class size: 10 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Cate School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 307 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

Cate School

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered

9-12

School Type

Co-ed

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1910

1909

Campus Size

150 acres

125 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

School Motto

Servons – “let us serve”

Student Body

Enrollment

311 students

300 students

% Students of Color

57%

25%

% International Students

19%

20%

% Students Boarding

80%

70%

Average SAT Score

1350
(Out of 1600)

* National Avg. »View

Average ACT score

31
(Out of 36)

*National Avg. »View

Offers Post-Grad Year

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Average Class Size

10 students

* National Avg. »18

Student-Teacher Ratio

5:1

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

80%

70%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

Accreditations

The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

Courses

Advanced Art (A and AB)Advanced Art History

Advanced BiologyAdvanced Calculus 1 (AB)

Advanced Calculus 2 (BC)Advanced Ceramics

Advanced ChemistryAdvanced Chinese: Chinese Cinema

Advanced Chinese: LiteratureAdvanced Chinese: The Chinese Idiom

Advanced Choral Music: CamerataAdvanced Computer Science

Advanced English 11Advanced English 12

Advanced French: Language StudiesAdvanced French: Literature Studies

Advanced Global SystemsAdvanced History: Anthropological Perspectives

Advanced History: Comparative RevolutionsAdvanced History: Modern Middle East

Advanced History: Modern PresidencyAdvanced Mechanics with Calculus

Advanced Molecular GeneticsAdvanced Multivariable Calculus

Advanced PhotographyAdvanced Physics: Astrophysics

Advanced Physics: ElectronicsAdvanced Physics: Mechanics

Advanced Spanish: Hispanic CinemaAdvanced Spanish: Language Studies

Advanced Spanish: Literature StudiesAdvanced Spanish: Magical Realism

Advanced Spanish: Master Works of Spanish LiteratureAdvanced Statistics

Advanced Studio ArtAdvanced U.S. History

Directed StudiesJapanese 4

Linear AlgebraSenior Inquiry Project

Statistics

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Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size

$90 million

$25 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$74,975

$59,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$58,975

$33,500

% Students on Financial Aid

28%

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$54,405

$25,000

Admissions

Application Deadline

Jan. 15

Acceptance Rate

17%

58%

Director of Admissions

Kyle Mason

Associate Director of Admissions

David Soto

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

Ultimate FrisbeeVolleyball

Water Polo

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Colors

Blue and Gold

School Mascot

Rams

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Club or Organization:

Alianza (Latino Student Alliance)Black Student Union

Blue CrewCalifornia Mathematics League

Cate Liberals LeagueCate Repbulicans

Cate Review (Literary Magazine)CateNet Masters

Chinese Language & Culture ClubCoagess (Yearbook)

Cougar CupCougar Online

Cultural Awareness ClubCulture Pot

Dance ClubFilm Society

George School Investing ClubGoldfish in Java

Green TeamHavurah

Jewelry and Metalsmithing ClubLantern (School Art & Poetry Magazine)

LOGOSPennswood Committee

Pets Are Worth SupportingR&B Step Team

Round SquareSouth Asian Student Society

SquaresStudent Book Club

Student SenateTERRA

The Crew (Video Club)The Curious George (School Newspaper)

Theatre ArtsTour Guides

Women's Forum

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Arts and Music Programs:

CamerataCate Artists' Theatre

ChamberChorale

Latin American Students Organization

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Martial Arts ClubPacific Rim Organization (PRO)

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

New York University

University of Southern California

Stanford University

University of Pennsylvania

University of Chicago

Barnard College

Colorado College

Georgetown University

Santa Clara University

Columbia University

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

With more than 150 courses offered, the goal of the Cate curriculum is to teach students to think and to develop in them a lifelong love of learning. Cate graduates consistently enroll in the country`s top colleges and universities. Cate strongly values diversity. Our student body is comprised of 51% students of color. We enroll boys and girls from 26 states and 14 countries. Our commitment to socio-economic diversity is evidenced by a financial assistance budget of more than $4,070,000.
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- David Crosby - Singer/songwirter
- Garrett Lisi - Noted physicist
- Billy Steinberg - Musician/Songwriter
- Warren Breidenbach III - Pioneering surgeon
- Sir John R.H. Bond - Financier
- Mona Khalil - United Nations
- Dr. William New - Inventor and physician
- Joshua Yaro - Professional soccer (MLS)
- Ema Boateng - Professional soccer (MLS)
- Daniel Cherry - Senior VP, General Manager at ADIDAS

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cate School cost?

Cate School's tuition is approximately $74,975 for boarding students and $58,975 for day students.

What is the acceptance rate of Cate School?

The acceptance rate of Cate School is 17%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%. Cate School's acceptance rate is ranked as one of the top boarding schools with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Cate School?

Cate School famous alumni include: David Crosby, Garrett Lisi, Billy Steinberg, Warren Breidenbach III, Sir John R.H. Bond, Mona Khalil, Dr. William New, Joshua Yaro, Ema Boateng and Daniel Cherry.

What sports does Cate School offer?

Cate School offers 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Surf Team, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Water Polo.

Does Cate School offer a summer program?

Yes, Cate School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What is Cate School's ranking?

Cate School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Highest endowment/student, Low acceptance rates, High # of AP/advanced courses offered, High average SAT scores, High SSAT scores and High ACT scores.

When is the application deadline for Cate School?

The application deadline for Cate School is Jan. 15.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review

Description

Cate School Alumni #1
Class of 2016
5.002/23/2021
Occidental College

Cate is a smaller boarding school and has a very much community bubble. This is a west coast boarding school so people are more liberal and open to alternative teaching. They also emphasize outdoor learning. . .

Cate School Alumni #2
Class of 2018
5.008/28/2020
Claremont McKenna College

One aspect of Cate School that I think makes it unique is its campus. When I was doing my research for what kind of boarding school, I wanted to apply to, there were a few. . .

Cate School Alumni #3
Class of 2019
5.005/21/2020
Colgate University

Cate is one of the unique places you could ever imagine. High up on a mesa with an ocean view surrounded by hundreds of acres of avocado trees, a utopian little community exists and thrives. . .

Show more reviews (16 reviews)

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