Featured
September 24, 2025
Servons: Students Dig Deep with Local Service Project
On a sunny Friday afternoon in September, an energetic group of Cate students and faculty traveled to Summerland, CA, for a hands-on service project with Sweet Wheel Farms. For three hours, students joined the farm’s owner and Cate’s longtime partner, Leslie, to plant saplings together in service of the farm’s bounty. Owned and operated by …
September 24, 2025
Cate Volleyball Sweeps Nordhoff at Home
Cate hosted Nordhoff tonight and came away with a strong 3-0 victory. The Rams started fast, using aggressive serving to take control of the first set 25-16. The second set was tighter, with both teams battling through the middle, but Cate managed a few key second-effort points to close it out 25-22. In the third …
September 24, 2025
Rams Blitz Past Coast Union, 40-20
On a picture-perfect Carpinteria day the Cate Rams hosted the Coast Union Broncos for a non-league contest. The Rams defense made their presence known early forcing a three and out on the first Coast possession. Cate was able to take advantage of the great field possession with quarterback Alek Kroehl hitting paydirt on the third …
September 19, 2025
Cate Outlasts Bishop Diego in Five-Set Thriller
The Cate girls’ varsity volleyball team battled through highs and lows on Thursday night (9/12), holding off Bishop Diego in a five-set showdown to secure a hard-fought victory. The Rams came out sharp, using aggressive serving and strong blocking to claim the opening set 25-17. Senior Emerson Evans sparked Cate at the service line and …
September 18, 2025
Cate Sweeps Villanova in Road Tilt
The Cate girls volleyball team put together a strong all-around performance Thursday night (9/18), defeating Villanova Prep in straight sets. The Rams edged out a competitive first set with several lead changes before closing strong for a 25-22 win. In the second, Cate pulled away midway through behind a few service runs to take control, …
September 18, 2025
Rams Charge Past Oxnard in Home Opener
Yesterday, September 18, our Cate boys water polo team hosted Oxnard High School in our home opener. After a shaky start, our group was able to settle in and play some high-quality water polo en route to a ten-goal win. Perimeter takeaways consistently fueled our counterattack, which allowed us to pull away in the second …
September 16, 2025
Cate Drops Match to Louisville
Cate hosted Louisville on Tuesday, September 16, and faced a tough challenge against a strong and physical opponent. Louisville came out firing in the first set, using aggressive serving and dominant net play to take the set 25-12. The Rams faced a similar start in the second set, falling behind 5-0, and Louisville maintained control …
September 16, 2025
Cate Battles Hard but Falls to Louisville in Straight Sets
The Cate girls volleyball team hosted Louisville on Tuesday night (9/16) and, despite a slow start, pushed the visitors to the brink in the final set before dropping a 3-0 decision. Louisville came out firing in the opening set, using aggressive serving and a strong attack to win 25-12. The momentum carried into the second, …
September 16, 2025
Rams Dominate Rio Mesa, 18-3
On September 16, our Cate boys water polo team traveled to Oxnard for a non-league match with Rio Mesa High School. All fifteen varsity players made contributions toward a statement win. We jumped to an early lead from a stifling press defense, which fueled an aggressive counterattack. Our offense had been struggling through our first …
September 16, 2025
Cate Tennis Moves to 4-0 with Pair of Dominant Performances
Cate girls’ tennis has now fully settled back into the tennis groove after the annual school “Outings Week.” Last week, they picked up a 9-0 win over visiting Santa Ynez High School and today have registered a 15-3 win over visiting Thacher School to open Tri-Valley League play. How it Happened: Cate was led today …
September 12, 2025
This Week in Athletics
Fall sports are officially underway at Cate! After returning from the annual Outings Week and getting back into the swing of the school year, all five fall teams have now started their seasons. Thursday marked the first competition for the cross country team, and the girls tennis, football, volleyball, and boys water polo squads have …
September 12, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: Where the World Feels Simple Again
Reflections from Outings Week After a flurry of activity to get the year launched, the Mesa fell quiet as we ventured into the wilderness for our annual Outings Week. In a world where breaking away from our phones and a fast-paced routine is rare, Cate’s unwavering commitment to the distinct educational opportunity that only the …
September 11, 2025
Rams Drop Close Battle to Dons, 6-5
Yesterday, September 11th, our Cate Boys’ varsity water polo team traveled to Santa Barbara High School for our second non-league match of the season. With only two practices under our belt, we were back in action after a week in the back country. This was a back-and-forth battle as both teams played stifling team defense, …
September 11, 2025
Rams Open Season at TCAA Preview Meet
Yesterday, the Runnin’ Rams had their first opportunity to show off their fitness at the TCAA League Preview in Ventura. The day got underway with our JV boys running the two-mile course. Ian Kim was our top finisher, placing fifth overall in a time of 13:10. The varsity girls competed on the three-mile course, and …
May 30, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: This is the Work
Last weekend, we honored the Class of 2025. These seniors, in particular, have reminded us that leadership takes many forms. Sometimes, it listens before it speaks. It builds trust, slowly and over time. It bakes cookies after a long, hard day and writes the best Senate recaps you’ve ever read. It guides quietly in the …
May 26, 2025
Commencement
Thank you for joining us for Commencement weekend to honor the Class of 2025! Relive the weekend below: Awards Ceremony: Saturday, May 24 at 4:00 p.m. Baccalaureate: Saturday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. Commencement Ceremony: Sunday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m.
May 16, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Next Monday will be the last day of classes for our seniors. Somehow, this school year seems to move faster as May arrives. But, when I pause and look back, I’m struck by how much we’ve seen together – new beginnings, joyful milestones, and real, meaningful growth. Here are a few of my most cherished …
May 2, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook – On Alignment
I’m always so grateful to see parents when they return to the Mesa during Family Weekend. The small interactions, the warm hugs, and casual conversations are a delightful reminder of our important, interconnected work of raising young people together. During my talk over the weekend, I shared insights and observations about this very connection …
April 11, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: Pacing and Pause
Last week, the pace on campus shifted. We moved into April, and everything started to move faster. End-of-year projects, exams, planning for Commencement – all of it now feels just around the corner. My inbox is full of questions about the years ahead: 2026, 2027, 2028. This time of year always comes with urgency. But …
March 28, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook
Today, we welcomed a record number of newly admitted students and their parents for Revisit Day. The influx of nearly 250 visitors is a rare and wonderful event here on the Mesa, made even more special by the purpose of their visit. Like so many of the milestones we experience and expect each school year …