Excellent
#53 of 1,787 private schools in CA
Top 3% of private schools
Cate School
High School
1960 CATE MESA RD, Carpinteria, CA 93013
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
California private schools
#53 of 1,787
In Carpinteria
#1 of 2
public schools
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Cate School
High School in Carpinteria · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
The Howard School
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Carpinteria Family
2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cate School
Cate School is a private high school in Carpinteria, CA. Cate School serves approximately 299 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 6.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Cate School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #53 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 6.5:1 students to teachers, Cate School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Cate School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Cate School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Cate School compares to the 5 public schools in Carpinteria, CA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Carpinteria
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cate School (this school) | 8.2 |
| Carpinteria Family | 8.5 |
| Canalino Elementary | 7.6 |
| Carpinteria Middle | 8.1 |
| Carpinteria Senior High | 7.0 |
| Aliso Elementary | 5.6 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1960 CATE MESA RD, Carpinteria, CA 93013
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cate School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cold Spring Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Santa Barbara), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montecito Union (rated 9.5/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Santa Barbara), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Santa Barbara), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Carpinteria, see our Carpinteria schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cate School Carpinteria | 0.2 mi | — |
| THE HOWARD SCHOOL Carpinteria | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Carpinteria Family Carpinteria | 2.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Canalino Elementary Carpinteria | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Carpinteria Middle Carpinteria | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Carpinteria Senior High Carpinteria | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Aliso Elementary Carpinteria | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Summerland Elementary Summerland | 6.9 mi | 8.2 |
| CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 8.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Crane Country Day School Santa Barbara | 8.2 mi | — |
| Montecito Union Santa Barbara | 9.0 mi | 9.5 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF OJAI Ojai | 9.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Sunset Elementary Oak View | 9.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Cold Spring Elementary Santa Barbara | 10.8 mi | 9.8 |
| Cleveland Elementary Santa Barbara | 11.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Valley Oak Charter Ojai | 11.3 mi | 2.0 |
| OAK GROVE SCHOOL Ojai | 11.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Mira Monte Elementary Ojai | 11.5 mi | 3.8 |
| SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Barbara | 11.5 mi | — |
| Franklin Elementary Santa Barbara | 11.5 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93013 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,633
Median Home Value
$1,074,600
Median Rent
$2,331/mo
Population
16,348
College Educated
46.2%
Homeownership
59.6%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
6%
Median Age
45.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Design Science Middle College High Fresno, CA | 8.2 |
| IDYLLWILD ARTS ACADEMY Idyllwild, CA | 8.2 |
| PACIFIC BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pacifica, CA | 8.2 |
| PUC Early College Academy for Leaders and Scholars (ECALS) Burbank, CA | 8.2 |
| VILLANOVA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Ojai, CA | 8.2 |
| ARISE High Oakland, CA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cate School
What grades does Cate School serve?
Cate School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Cate School?
Cate School has an enrollment of approximately 299 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cate School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cate School is 6.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Cate School rank in CA?
Cate School ranks #53 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
What is Cate School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cate School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Cate School a private school?
Yes, Cate School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Cate School a religious school?
No, Cate School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 299
- Gender Split
- 49% M / 51% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 212 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 684-4127
Resources & Links
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