Read more details about Cate School on their 2025 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Cate is a very unique school located by the ocean and mountains which allows for a great deal of outdoor activities while still being in California.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
Boarding school makes you grow up fast. Independence is one of the greatest qualities that I gained at Cate. When I got to college, I was already accustomed to living on campus and dorm life as well as the academic rigor of USC.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
I would have called my mom more.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
Is it cheesy to say everything? Cate is a great experience, there will be ups and downs but overall the experience you get at a great boarding school like Cate is an experience like no other.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
You should go check out Sunset beach, the sunsets at Cate are some of the best in the world. Seriously, I have not seen a more beautiful sunset than at Cate.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The academics at Cate are very vigorous. I never liked history, but the teachers at Cate made it so interesting that it became one of my favourite subjects. Class size is small, which allows for plenty of one-on-one time with the teacher.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
I loved the outdoor program at Cate. I learned how to surf, kayak, rock-climb, and so much more. I was also on the varsity cross country team. Sports are mandatory at Cate, as a freshman you much participate in two varsity sports and you can elect to do one other sport such as surfing, dance, etc. As you get older, you have more freedom to choose.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
I was heavily involved in the Visual Arts program as I knew I wanted to go into the Arts in college. When I was at Cate, the arts program was lacking. The classes were not vigorous enough and the teachers fell short. The ceramics program is great though.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
My favourite extracurricular was Tuesday Night Public Service nights! I loved going to Transition house to help kids with art projects or serving food at Casa Esperanza.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Dorm life is fun. Most rooms are a single except for one dorm house (25 house). Each dorm has a prefect and teacher on duty.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
The dining hall is buffet style,except on Monday's when we have convocation. On Monday's we sit down and have a formal dinner with teachers and students all together. The cafeteria closes at 7 everyday and no food is available after. however, most students buy food from Albertson's which is the local grocery store and have mini-fridges in their rooms.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Cate is located on a hill about a mile from Carpinteria which is the closest town. I loved Carpinteria for it's beach-y vibes. It has really good restaurants considering how small of a town it is. Crushcakes for brunch, Lucky Llama for coffee and acai bowls. yum!
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
Social life at boarding school can be hard. Think high school drama but never-ending since everyone lives together. Any information noteworthy gets around faster than wildfire. However, some of my best friends are from Cate. You definitely make some life-long friends.
Read more details about Cate School on their 2025 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
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. . .
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 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. . .
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