Welcome to the Mesa!

Congratulations on your Acceptance to CATE!

In this competitive admissions year, you stood out for your curiosity, character, and energy, qualities that are sure to enrich the Cate community. Now, we invite you to be a part of the Ram family on the Mesa, where quiet study meets vigorous play, and each student is known, needed, and valued.

Enroll Today

The enrollment deadline is Friday, April 10, 2026. The enrollment contract is available on your Parent Portal –click here.

Revisit Day

We invite you to join us for Revisit Day and experience what life on the Mesa is like in action! Accepted students and their families are invited to explore our coastal campus and get a real sense of life as a Cate student. Hear from students, faculty, and parents; join current students for lunch; attend a student-led assembly; and participate in a faculty panel on academics, arts, and athletics. Families will also learn about the individualized experiences for boarding and day students, as well as the expectations unique to each. Please RSVP here if you plan to join us for Revisit Day 2026. RSVP deadline is Sunday, March 22.

Friday, March 27 | 9:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
1960 Cate Mesa Road, Carpinteria, CA 93013

We’re excited to welcome you to the beautiful beach town of Carpinteria! To make your visit easier and more enjoyable, we’ve put together a guide for booking hotels, discovering great places to eat, and exploring the area.

This day is designed for the accepted student and their parents or guardians. We politely request that no young children attend.

For safety and campus considerations, animals are not allowed unless they are service animals. Thank you for your understanding.

Families are welcome to bring up to four additional guests.

Explore Cate: The EduCate Series

Every aspect of the Cate program is grounded in the four pillars of our mission—commitment, scholarship, companionship, and service. This past fall, we hosted a series of virtual events designed for prospective students and their families, offering a closer look at life at Cate, guided by our expert faculty and exceptional student leaders.

You can now access recordings from each session:

Athletics at Cate
Wednesday, November 19
View Recording

Art & Music at Cate
Thursday, December 4
View Recording

A Culture of Inquiry at Cate (Academics and Curriculum)
Tuesday, December 16
View Recording

Living on the Mesa at Cate(Residential/Boarding Life)
Tuesday, January 13
View Recording

Outdoor Programming & Service at Cate
Tuesday, January 27
View Recording

Parent Engagement at Cate (parents/guardians only)
Thursday, February 12
View Recording

International Students at Cate
Monday, February 16
View Recording

Take a Closer Look

2026-2027 Important Dates & Contacts

Interested in next year’s calendar? Check out the important dates for the 2026-2027 school year here.

Questions?

For any questions regarding contract or parent portal access, please contact Lynn Dinning, who manages the enrollment process.
lynn_dinning@cate.org
805-684-4127 ext. 217

Beyond the Classroom

2026-27 Important Enrollment Dates

March 27: Revisit Day

April 10: Contracts and Deposit Due
July 1-First Payment Due

April 16: Veracross Parent Portal Launched
April 28-All forms should be completed

May 8: Magnus Health Portal Launches
July 15- All health forms must be complete. We recommend scheduling an annual physical asap.

May 16: Roommate Survey Distributed (If Applicable)
June 6-Roommate Survey Due

* Student advisors will be assigned over the summer and in contact with incoming families by August.