Eleanor

I came to Cate my freshman year and I still remember how nervous and yet excited I was as I drove up the side of the Mesa for my first day of high school. At the time I wasn’t sure if going to Cate or even boarding school was really what I wanted to do, but after just a few days here I realized this was it. These last three years at Cate have been the most amazing years of my life. Not only have I had new and exciting experiences that I never thought I’d have, but I’ve also made life-long friends that I know will always be there for me.

Before I came here I hardly played sports at all but since then I’ve joined tennis, water polo, lacrosse, swim team, and the outdoors program. My favorite classes I’ve taken here are freshman humanities (English + History combined), Modern Middle East (History), and AP Environmental Science.

At the Cate School we talk a lot about the strong sense of community we have and although it sometimes gets a little repetitive, it truly is what makes Cate such a unique place. Everyone from your advisor (assigned freshman year), to your big Sibling (a senior), to the faculty and your peers are here to support you and listen to you when you just need to be heard.

Another great thing about the Cate School is that although it can feel a little isolated up on the Mesa, there are still so many activities going on all the time. On the weekends I love taking the Cate bus into Carpinteria and getting a smoothie at Caje or fish tacos and French fries at the Spot (down near the beach). And of course, there are always school activities such as “drive in movie nights,” dances, all school dodge ball games, and trips to the ice-skating rink or the bowling alley. The outdoors trips are also pretty awesome; they do everything from rafting to camping on Santa Cruz Island.

Cate is a one-of-a-kind place, where people aren’t afraid to be themselves and explore their passions. I highly recommend giving it a shot!