Welcome to the Diocese of Monterey Department of Catholic Schools! We are proud to offer quality academic programs which nurture students intellectually, spiritually and morally. Enrolling a child in Catholic schools sets them on a path to success, built on the strong foundation that our schools provide. With the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Gospel values as our guide, our students grow to be people of faith, ready to take on the challenges of college and career.

Letters to the Community

Superintendent Letter to Community 12-4-2020
Superintendent Letter to Community 11-15-2020
Superintendent Letter to Community 11-2-2020
Superintendent Letter to MC Community 10-12-2020
Superintendent Letter to SHPS Community 10-1-2020
Superintendent Letter to MC Community 9-16-2020
Superintendent Letter to SCC Community 9-10-2020
Superintendent Letter to SHPS Community 9-8-2020
Superintendent Letter to SLO Community 8-26-2020
Superintendent Letter to Community 7-21-2020
Superintendent Letter to Community 6-5-2020
Superintendent Letter to Community 5-22-2020
Bishop Letter - Junipero Serra School Closing 5-8-2020
 

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2019-2020 Academic Year
The Catholic schools in the Diocese of Monterey responded to the challenge of the global pandemic with a focus on providing safe, healthy and nurturing environments for our students. In March 2020, our schools quickly transitioned to distance learning and launched our remote programs within a few days of the statewide shelter-in-place order. Our schools faithfully provided a robust spiritual and educational program for families through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. Notably, our graduating seniors and eighth graders were celebrated in creative socially-distanced or virtual ceremonies to honor their accomplishments and mark the closing of their time in their Catholic schools.

2020-2021 Academic Year
Each Catholic school, under the direction of the Department of Catholic Schools, has developed a site-based operations plan to ensure the health and safety of students and staff. The plans are based on the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the California Department of Public Health. Additionally, the plans are developed in consultation with the different County Offices of Education and County Offices of Public Health in our Diocese.
 
Depending on the County and its status on the State's County Risk Level system, schools are offering distance learning programs or in-person instruction.  For more information regarding a specific Catholic school and their plan for the coming year, please contact the school directly.  

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A Dozen Reasons to 
Choose Catholic Schools

Ecclesial Staff

Superintendent: Kimberly Cheng
Administrative Assistant: Miriam "Mimi" Schwertfeger

CONTACT

Address:
485 Church Street
Monterey, CA 93940

Phone: 831 373-1608
Fax: 831 373-0173
Email: Schools@dioceseofmonterey.org

Non-Discrimination Policy

Employment Opportunities

Faculty & Staff Resources:  Beehively
 

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Mission Statement:

The Department of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Monterey provides the backbone of an educational network of eighteen schools, which includes thirteen Diocesan schools, three religious order schools, one independent school, and one school that is co-sponsored by the Diocese and a religious order. Children in preschool through high school from many cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds attend Catholic Schools in Salinas, Santa Cruz, Hollister, Watsonville, Corralitos, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande.

The Department of Catholic Schools is committed to providing the necessary resources to the Catholic Schools to ensure:

• Implementation of best educational, research-based practices and technology to provide for individual student success in academics, faith life, sports and social situations;

• Existence of a dynamic Catholic school community where all students may reach and maximize their full human potential to "Always go forward and never turn back" (Blessed Junipero Serra);

• Commitment to a Community Service Learning Program that supports the mission of discipleship and in which students learn from and reflect upon service to their parish, their local community, the nation, and the global community;

• Engagement by both faculty and children in the Catholic principles of social justice to prepare students for responsible citizenship and stewardship, life-long learning, and to be the voice and instruments of social justice in our global economy;

• Recognition and appreciation of parents as the primary educators of their children by partnering with them as active participants in the educational ministry of their child's school.

 

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ACCREDITATION
  Schools are accredited through the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
 
The Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) is a private educational agency established under the auspices of the Bishops of the California dioceses for the purpose of school improvement and certification. Operation of the agency is delegated by the Bishops to the Conference of California Catholic School Superintendents, which functions as the WCEA Board of Directors.
 
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is a regional association, which provides institutional accreditation of public and private elementary, secondary, and post-secondary    schools. WASC is one of six regional non-governmental groups that the United States Office of Education recognizes as an accrediting agency for schools.
 

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LIST OF PARISH AND DIOCESAN SCHOOLS

The following schools are owned and operated by the Diocese of Monterey Parish and School Operating Corporation. 

Monterey County

HIGH SCHOOLS

Notre Dame High School
Salinas, CA
9th - 12th Grade, All Girls
Principal: Kristi McLaughlin
School Phone: (831) 751-1850

PRESCHOOLS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Junipero Serra School
Carmel, CA
Closed May 2020
For questions or records requests, please contact schools@dioceseofmonterey.org.

Madonna del Sasso School
Salinas, CA
Preschool - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: James Evans
School Phone: (831) 424-7813

Sacred Heart School
Salinas, CA
Preschool - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: Rachel Meyers
School Phone: (831) 771-1310

San Carlos School
Monterey, CA
Transitional Kindergarten - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: Teresa Bennett
School Phone: (831) 375-1324

St. Angela's Preschool
Pacific Grove, CA
Preschool, Co-ed
Preschool Director: Heather Diaz
School Phone: (831) 372-3555

SAN BENITO COUNTY

PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Sacred Heart Parish School
Hollister, CA
Preschool - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: Dr. Rachel McKenna
School Phone: (831) 637-4157

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

HIGH SCHOOL

Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School
San Luis Obispo, CA
9th - 12th Grade, Co-ed
President/Principal: Mike Susank
School Phone: (805) 543-2131

PRESCHOOLS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Old Mission School
San Luis Obispo, CA
Transitional Kindergarten - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: Shirley Gray
School Phone: (805) 543-6019

St. Patrick School
Arroyo Grande, CA
Preschool - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: Maureen Halderman
School Phone: (805) 489-1210

St. Rose Catholic School
Paso Robles, CA
Preschool - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: Trevor Knable
School Phone: (805) 238-0304

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

PRESCHOOLS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Good Shepherd Catholic School
Santa Cruz, CA
Preschool - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: Richard Determan
School Phone: (831) 476-4000

Holy Cross School
Santa Cruz, CA
Preschool - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: Patty Patano
School Phone: (831) 423-4447

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LIST OF NON-DIOCESAN SCHOOLS

The following schools are religious sponsored, co-sponsored or independent Catholic schools in the Diocese of Monterey. 

Monterey County

HIGH SCHOOLS

Palma School
Salinas, CA
7th-12th Grade, All Boys
President: Chris Dalman
Principal: David Sullivan
School Phone: (831) 422-6391
Sponsor: Christian Brothers Institute of California 

Santa Catalina School
Monterey, CA
Preschool - 8th Grade, Co-ed; 9th-12th Grade, All Girls
Head of School: Meg Bradley
School Phone: (831) 655-9300
Independent
 

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

HIGH SCHOOL

St. Francis High School Salesian College Preparatory
Watsonville, CA
9th - 12th Grade, Co-ed
President/Principal: Patrick Lee
School Phone: (831) 724-5933
Co-Sponsors: Diocese of Monterey and Salesians of Don Bosco West

PRESCHOOLS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Moreland Notre Dame School
Watsonville, CA
Transitional Kindergarten - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: Cathy Mottau
School Phone: (831) 728-2051
Sponsor: Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

Salesian Elementary and Junior High School
Corralitos, CA
Transitional Kindergarten - 8th Grade, Co-ed
Principal: Sister Carmen Botello, F.M.A.
School Phone: (831) 728-5518
Sponsor: Salesian Sisters of Saint John Bosco