School Overview
Data & methodology
Overall
A+
Matriculation
A+
Academics
A+
Extracurriculars
A-
Geo & Community
B+
Reviews
A+
Located one mile from the ocean, in the foothills of Santa Barbara County, Cate School is a coeducational college preparatory boarding school. Founded in 1910, the School delivers a demanding academic program resulting in a breadth and depth of scholarly inquiry. Cate School seeks students with the capacity to handle a demanding college-preparatory curriculum, with the curiosity to engage in our student-centered small classes, and with the compassion and character to be active and caring members of our small community. The student body of 265 students (83% are boarders) comes from 22 states and 19 foreign countries and is both academically talented and remarkably diverse (41% students of color). In an intimate setting, students and teachers together pursue high ideals. Cate's mission statement reads: "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."
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Ranking
Top 10
College Matriculation Rankings
Top 25
Academic Rankings
Top 50
Review Rankings
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School Stats
Average
Current school
Tuition
$83,580
Enrollment
310
International Students
19%
Faculty with Advanced Degrees
80%
Teacher-Student Ratio
1:5
Endowment
$90 million
Average SAT Score
1391
Average ACT Score
32
Class Size
10
Boarding %
78
Matriculation
College Matriculation
(2021-2025)| Ranking | University/College | Students |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Princeton University | 3 |
| #2 | Columbia University | 7 |
| #2 | Harvard College | 5 |
| #2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 1 |
| #5 | Yale University | 7 |
| LAC #1 | Williams College | 1 |
| #6 | Stanford University | 5 |
| #6 | University of Chicago | 13 |
| #8 | University of Pennsylvania | 7 |
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Academics
Sports
(14)|
Athletics
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Baseball
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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Dance
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Football
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Athletics
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Baseball
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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Dance
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Football
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Lacrosse
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Soccer
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Strength and Conditioning
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Surfing
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Swimming
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Tennis
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Volleyball
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Water Polo
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Extracurricular Activities and Clubs
(20)|
Black Student Union
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California Mathematics League
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Camerata
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Cate Review (Literary Magazine)
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CateNet Masters
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Chamber Orchestra
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Black Student Union
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California Mathematics League
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Camerata
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Cate Review (Literary Magazine)
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CateNet Masters
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Chamber Orchestra
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El Batidor (school newspaper)
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Foster Homes (community service)
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Gay-Straight Alliance
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Green Team (recycling)
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International Students Club
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Jazz Band
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Kayaking Club
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Los Ninos (community service)
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Mesan (school yearbook)
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Mock Trial
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Peer Tutors
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Student Book Club
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Student Senate
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Tour Guides
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Arts
(9)|
Choral
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Choreography
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Music Production
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Theater
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Art History
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Digital Art
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Choral
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Choreography
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Music Production
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Theater
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Art History
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Digital Art
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Visual Arts
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Art
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Tech Theater
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Basic Info
Application Info
Reviews
5.0
Overall Rating
Overall Rating
Anonymous User (Professionals)
01/14/2026
5 / 5
Cate is one the top tire school in CA. It has very strong academic vibe and strong teacher support!
Anonymous User (Professionals)
01/13/2026
5 / 5
Cate School offers an exceptional education with a rigorous curriculum, dedicated faculty, and a strong emphasis on critical thinking and creativity. Its supportive community and stunning coastal setting foster personal growth, leadership, and a deep sense of belonging.
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Frequently Ask Questions about Cate School
Tell me a bit about Cate School.
Cate School is Co-ed private boarding school located in California, US. It was founded 1910 , and currently has about 310 students, 19.00% of whom are international students.
For more official information, please visit http://www.cate.org.
For more official information, please visit http://www.cate.org.
Does Cate School have rigorous academic requirements?
Cate School also have 80% of faculties whose degrees are master and above.
Where do Cate School students typically go for their colleges?
Based on the most recent matriculation data, 23.56% go to top 50 US universities and colleges*, 24.93% go to top 25, and about 12.88% go to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and MIT.
*Ranking is based on the 2024 US News College Ranking.
*Ranking is based on the 2024 US News College Ranking.
What is the application requirement for Cate School?
Similar to most private schools in the US, Cate School’s typical admission requirements include school transcript, recommendation letter, application essay, TOEFL for international students, and interview (often optional, but highly recommended).
What is the Boarding Tuition for Cate School?
The total fee for Cate School in 2024 is
$83,580 which typically includes tuition, boarding fee, student management fee and a few other fees associated with managing international students.
For more information, please contact school’s admission team at admission@cate.org .
For more information, please contact school’s admission team at admission@cate.org .
Where is Cate School located?
Cate School is located in the State of California of USA.
How popular is Cate School on the FindingSchool network?
Based on FindingSchool monthly traffic data as well as onsite search record, Cate School is among the most popular schools, within top 36 for all schools on FindingSchool.
Also Cate School has been favorited by 904 users.
Also Cate School has been favorited by 904 users.
How do I complete an application for Cate School?
The first stop is to carefully review the school profile on FindingSchool to learn more about Cate School. Most of them are directly provided by the school.
Also it is highly recommended to visit Cate School’s official site: http://www.cate.org or call them at 805-684-4127.
Also it is highly recommended to visit Cate School’s official site: http://www.cate.org or call them at 805-684-4127.
Are there additional schools that are located close to Cate School?
What is the FindingSchool rating for Cate School?
The overall rating for Cate School is A+.
The section ratings of Cate School are:
A+ for Matriculation
A+ for Academics
A- for Extracurriculum
B+ for Community
A+ for Students and Parents reviews
The section ratings of Cate School are:
A+ for Matriculation
A+ for Academics
A- for Extracurriculum
B+ for Community
A+ for Students and Parents reviews
Nearby City
Los Angeles, commonly known as L.A., is the largest city in California and the second most populous in the U.S. It serves as the commercial, financial, and cultural hub of Southern California. With a population of around 3.9 million as of 2020, L.A. is famous for its Mediterranean climate, diverse population, and as the epicenter of the entertainment industry, particularly Hollywood. The city also offers a rich mix of cultural landmarks, including world-class museums, beaches, and a dynamic food scene, making it a global metropolis.
Population (2022)
3,833,995
Cost of Living
Higher than average 54%
Nearby Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
FindingSchool collects its data from a variety of reliable sources, including schools, advisors, official U.S. statistics, and feedback from actual parents and students.