By Serena Zhang '28 On December 6th, the Cate community participated in various grade-level enrichment activities that brought learning and collaboration outside the classroom. Ninth-graders and their senior seminar leaders spent the day rotating through stations that combined teamwork, art, and problem-solving, while sophomores spent the day at the beach for a retreat focusing on class bonding and competition. Meanwhile, juniors and seniors went on a museum trip, visiting ar

By Josie Song '28 As the 2025 year comes to a close, Cate students have made many memories over the past four months. From seeing old and new faces at the line dance to sharing laughs and screams of fright during the haunted house, there is much to reflect upon from these last few months.  Year after year, there are certain staple activities eagerly anticipated. For example, the Cate tradition of hosting a line dance as the very first activity of the year allows incoming fres

By Edie Abbott '27 The Giving Thanks Ceremony is a tradition that takes place the last week before Thanksgiving break every year, when the entire school gathers in silence to express gratitude. But where did it originate? The answer to that question can be traced back to 1997 with the arrival of Peter and Mary Arango. Before 1997, a Giving Thanks Ceremony hadn’t been experienced by the inhabitants of the Mesa. But Mary and Peter brought more than just the idea; they brought a

By Fiona Pan '27 In the fall of the 2025-26 school year at Cate, students were informed of a new policy regarding alcohol use and efforts to prevent it. The policy laid out a plan in which students would be randomly breathalyzed throughout the school year, at dances, and in the dorms. The implementation of breathalyzers, as stated in the handbook, is used to “help students enjoy community life in positive ways.” The initial response from the student body was one of frustratio

By Jasper Shelmerdine ‘26 and Fiona Pan ‘27 This past Friday, as tens of thousands of people participated in “ICE Out” protests across the United States, students and faculty responded with coordinated Teach-Ins and a thoughtfully curated assembly. As Head of School, Alex Lockett put it in her message to the community, “today was not a departure from learning on the Mesa but rather its fullest expression.” Students participating in workshops, rather than attending classes, we

Evan Walters '28 To some schools, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is simply a national day off, maybe even an opportunity for families to take a short vacation, but at Cate, the day is used to honor Dr. King and to show how his efforts still impact today’s world. Kadeine Peterson, biology teacher, multicultural programming coordinator, and organizer of Cate’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the past five years, has ensured each year the day is crafted to focus on learning about Dr.

By Fiona Pan '27 It has been 105 years since the El Batidor  newspaper came to life at Cate School, formerly known as the “Santa Barbara School.” In the first edition of El Bat,  released in the 1919–1920 school year, the editors wrote that the term El Batidor , translated to “Outrider.” “Batidor” means scout, or outrider, which is someone who paves the way for others to follow. The past editors wrote that the name for the newspaper was indicating, “a harbinger, or bearer of

By Michelle Wu '27 The salted breeze, the damp sand, and the low, rhythmic rumble of waves hitting the shore altogether make the Carpinteria City Beach a popular weekend destination for students. Indeed, the beach offers much joy to the steady pace of Cate life, whether through providing a recreational space oa r location for class events. However, there is more that Cate can offer in return to the greater Carpinteria community and the land that nurtures it – inquiry-driven

By Maria Salyards '28 Let me set the scene for you. Golden hues splattering the gentle waves at the beach, rays peaking through the dusty clouds, and under the gaze of the Carpenteria mountains, stood Cate students on the senior lawn, dressed up in Homecoming attire. It was a time right before the tree leaves turn orange and crimson, and right after a much-deserved summer break. Light blues, pastel pinks, sunset orange dresses, and black and grey suits, but no one in neon di

By Serena Zhang '28 The Cate dining hall has undergone a series of changes since students last stepped on campus. From two lunch lines to staff-served portions and a brand new schedule, these shifts have sparked plenty of conversation across campus as students discuss the benefits of efficiency and reduced waste against the challenges of limited food availability and more crowded lunch blocks. When asked about thoughts on the changes in the dining hall, Rosita Power ‘26 bri

By Max van Someren '27 and Elsie Chamberlain '26 Gurnoop, Max, and Elsie represented Cate at the 2025 Round Square International Service Project in South Africa. Alongside a team of around 45 other students, they spent 2 weeks living at the Tiger Kloof school in Vryburg, South Africa. They stayed in this prestigious boarding school's dorm rooms and engaged with local students and faculty.  One cultural aspect of the trip included dance and music classes with local residents

By Paloma Rudnicki '27 The Katharine Thayer Cate and Curtis Wolsey Cate Chapel, built in 1961, was dedicated by Mr. Cate to his wife, who passed away in 1953. Despite popular belief, she is not buried there. The Chapel also won national awards when it was built—the architect George Russell won the AIA award for Church Architecture, Class III for his design. Its unique arches and large stained-glass windows have set it apart as what some consider the most beautiful and iconic

By Jin Sun '28 Every September, Cate students shoulder more than just backpacks; they carry a lesson of responsibility, through the meadows of Yosemite, across the rivers of Kern, and upon the peaks of San Jacinto. Outings Week, the traditional start to a school year, is a lesson in what it means to carry weight both literally and figuratively.  For freshmen, there are no physical packs during their 5-day journey at Pyles, a camp in Sequoia National Forest. The real load, h

By: Lucy Guilbert-Neal '25 Last Thursday, Alison Wang presented her year-long independent study where she explored both research in...

By: Karina Strofs '27 Each spring, the Case Studies program offers Cate juniors a rare opportunity: to step into the shoes of a college...

By: Serena Zhang ‘28 This May, Cate School celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month. With the upcoming departure of seniors and the...

By: Claire Ziebart '26 If you’ve ever heard someone say, “I’m doing SCVA VJCA and then ACDA SATB,” and thought they were speaking in...

By: Violet Monda '27 As the Cate community transitions from Spring Family Weekend to the end of the year, the incredible gallery...

By: Michelle Wu '27 As the end of the school year draws to an end, let’s take some time to reflect on the work of Cate’s performers in ...

By: Ethan Rehnborg '25 After years of dwindling enrollment in its Japanese program, Cate’s Language Department is experiencing a renewed...