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Excellent

#23 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 1% of private schools

Santa Catalina School

School

1500 MARK THOMAS DR, Monterey, CA 93940

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

456

Student-Teacher

6.5:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Monterey

#1 of 4

public schools

California schools

#8 of 366

About Santa Catalina School

Santa Catalina School serves 456 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Monterey, California. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1 with 70 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and small class sizes that many families find appealing. The school has earned strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #302 among California's 1,790 schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.

This high ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. Santa Catalina School operates in an affluent community where 53% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education. The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $103,946 and a relatively low poverty rate of 10.2%, suggesting strong community resources and family stability that often support student success.

Families considering Santa Catalina School will find it located at 1500 Mark Thomas Drive in a well-established mid-size suburban setting. The school's combination of small class sizes, strong academic reputation, and location in an educated, prosperous community makes it an attractive option for families seeking quality public education in the scenic Monterey area.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, Santa Catalina School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Santa Catalina School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$55,052
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$55,382
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.01x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
77%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$118.3M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 456 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Santa Catalina School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Monterey, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.5:1
This School
vs
22.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
456
This School
vs
619
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.5
This School
vs
5.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 47.8% vs 0%
Asian 8.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 8.1% vs 0%
Black 1.8% vs 0%
Santa Catalina School Monterey Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Santa Catalina School (this school) 8.5
Bay View Academy 4.4
La Mesa 5.2
Monterey High 8.2
Big Sur Charter 4.7
Monte Vista 6.0
George C. Marshall Elementary 5.4

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What 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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,387.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 64%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 456
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)

White 47.8%
Two or More 33.6%
Asian 8.6%
Hispanic 8.1%
Black 1.8%
Native American 0.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1500 MARK THOMAS DR, Monterey, CA 93940

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Catalina School may also want to explore other schools in the area. MONTEREY BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Seaside), a more accessible option. Additionally, Big Sur Charter (rated 4.7/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Monterey, see our Monterey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Santa Catalina School Monterey 0.0 mi
Bay View Academy Monterey 0.6 mi 4.4
La Mesa Monterey 0.9 mi 5.2
SAN CARLOS SCHOOL Monterey 1.3 mi 6.2
San Carlos Elementary Monterey 1.3 mi
Classical Christian Academy Monterey Bay Monterey 1.3 mi
Catherine Dior School Monterey 1.4 mi
MONTEREY BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seaside 1.7 mi 5.3
Del Rey Woods Elementary Seaside 1.7 mi 3.8
Monterey High Monterey 1.8 mi 8.2
Big Sur Charter Monterey 2.1 mi 4.7
Sojourner Academy Monterey 2.2 mi
PENINSULA ADVENTIST SCHOOL Seaside 2.2 mi
Peninsula Adventist School Seaside 2.2 mi
TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Monterey 2.4 mi 7.5
Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula Seaside 2.4 mi 7.3
Monte Vista Monterey 2.4 mi 6.0
Seaside High Seaside 2.8 mi 6.8
Martin Luther King Seaside 2.6 mi 6.0
International School of Monterey Seaside 2.7 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93940 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,669

Median Home Value

$1,039,700

Median Rent

$2,305/mo

Population

30,951

College Educated

54.3%

Homeownership

43%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

42.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Santa Catalina School has a median household income of $110,669. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,039,700, with a median rent of $2,305/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano, CA 8.6
Renaissance Arts Academy Los Angeles, CA 8.6
SACRAMENTO WALDORF SCHOOL Fair Oaks, CA 8.4
ALVERNO HEIGHTS ACADEMY Sierra Madre, CA 8.7
Placer County Pathways Charter Auburn, CA 8.7
SOUTH HILLS ACADEMY West Covina, CA 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Catalina School

What grades does Santa Catalina School serve?

Santa Catalina School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Santa Catalina School?

Santa Catalina School has an enrollment of approximately 456 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Catalina School?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Catalina 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 Santa Catalina School rank in CA?

Santa Catalina School is ranked #23 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Santa Catalina School's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Catalina School has a composite rating of 8.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Santa Catalina School a private school?

Yes, Santa Catalina School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Santa Catalina School a religious school?

Santa Catalina School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,185/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Monterey). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
456
Gender Split
21% M / 79% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
71
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
185 days
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
MONTEREY
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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