Boarding High School in Santa Barbara County, CA

Cate School:
Located one mile from the ocean, in the foothills of Santa Barbara County (90 minutes north west of Los Angeles), Southern California, Cate School is a coeducational college preparatory day & boarding school of 265 students offering grades 9-12. Founded in 1910, the School delivers a demanding academic program resulting in a breadth and depth of scholarly inquiry. In an intimate setting, students and teachers together pursue high ideals. Taught by faculty members who are passionate about their subjects and dedicated to ensuring that each student reaches his or her full potential, the coursework at Cate is both rigorous and engaging.

Co-educational Day & Boarding Programs for students in Grades 9-12:
The Cate curriculum is designed to help students build their level of expertise in fundamental areas as they cultivate a sense of their own strengths and interests; then they are able to choose from a variety of electives—including numerous honors and Advanced Placement courses—as well as individually-designed research and directed studies projects.

Class size at Cate typically averages twelve students, with opportunities throughout the day and evening for students to meet one-on-one with teachers. Coursework extends well beyond the confines of the schoolroom through outdoor learning, field trips, and study abroad opportunities.

Grade 9:
The freshman course of study is primarily comprised of the following:
- Humanities (English/History)
- Conceptual Physics
- Mathematics
- Foundation Arts
- Foreign Language
- Freshman Seminar

Grade 10 (New Students):
New sophomores take the following courses:
- English 10
- Foundation Arts
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Foreign Language
- Sophomore Seminar
- Topics in Modern World History

Grade 10 (Returning Students):
Returning sophomores take the following courses:
- English 10
- Arts
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Foreign Language
- Sophomore Seminar
- Topics in Modern World History

Grade 11:
Note: The course of study for new juniors is determined by previous courses and by consultation with the Cate Director of Studies.
Virtually all juniors take the following three courses:

- English 11

- Mathematics:
Students who have not taken Algebra II must do so. Students who have completed Algebra II may take one of our electives to satisfy their third-year requirement. Students who intend to take Calculus in the senior year must take Pre-Calculus.

- Foreign Language:
Most juniors who have not completed the required third-year course must do so. Students who have completed the required third-year course are encouraged to continue foreign language study through at least the junior year.

The following courses must be taken in either the junior or senior year:
- U. S. History:
- U.S. History and Science
- U.S. History and Arts (as fulfillment of the requirement or as an elective)
- Science and Arts
- U.S. History, Science or Arts, plus an elective
- Two electives

Grade 12:
Seniors must take English 12 and, in the spring, an English literature elective. If they have not already done so, they must complete whatever requirements remain. Electives make up the rest of the required five units (2.5 units each semester).