How Cate Students Take Lessons Beyond the Mesa

By Amelia Riepe '27

At some point, every Cate student wonders, “Why am I learning this? Will I even remember this after high school?” This thought usually occurs during a never-ending last-period class or Saturday school, when the content and material seem extremely removed from real life. However, truth be told, many classroom experiences leave a lasting impression on Cate students, regardless of the subject. Certain moments, such as a memorable Harkness or an extremely tough PBL problem, can stick with students far beyond their four years of high school. Even as the details and equations fade from memory, struggle and growth are elements that shape the way that Cate students learn from and approach the world, long after they’ve left the Mesa. 

In an interview with recent alumnus Riley Pan ‘24, she shares the academic moments that resonated most with her during her time at Cate. Specifically, she mentions PBL, which stands for problem-based learning. She says, “I think what Cate taught me the most was problem-solving.” Riley’s experience with a PBL-style learning environment elevated her math skills beyond simply memorizing formulas and square roots. She notes, “Working through PBL problems really transformed the way I approach math and kept me from getting discouraged.” Now, she tackles college-level math with a growth mindset she learned from PBL, remembering to think critically and push past moments where problems seem impossible to solve. 

Although the academic classroom learning lays the foundation for a Cate student’s educational future, learning outside the classroom, such as in dorms or with peers, is equally important, as these moments shape character and perspective. Pan notes on her experiences outside the academic aspect of Cate, “Whether it was trying a new sport or going to a club meeting without friends, Cate gave me the independence to try new things even if my friends weren’t doing it.” Moments like these, which occur outside of the school day, have just as much impact on students as anything learned inside a classroom. Pan remarks again on the independence she gained at Cate, “It allowed me to make so many meaningful connections to the people I met and the things I tried.”

Alumnus Beth Monda describes her English class, a course that still sticks with her to this day. “We were reading Homer, and the teacher played Wrapped Around Your Finger by The Police to show us how literary references were in popular songs.” Monda doesn’t just remember the exact grammatical lesson that she learned that day, but how it was taught. This personal touch to an otherwise simple English lesson still resonates with her today. Monda also describes how her time at Cate played a role in shaping who she is today. She credits Cate for giving her a sense of independence and self-awareness, which helped her thrive in college. She reflects, “By the time I got to college, I was confident and independent because I’d had the good fortune of spending 4 years at Cate trying new things and pushing myself to get out of my comfort zone.” Here, the lessons she learned from Cate about self-discovery beyond an academic setting allowed her to thrive in a college environment. 

Lastly, current art teacher Jean Whelan shares moments from Cate life that she still carries with her. During her studies, she remembers learning about creative writing, a beautiful and inspiring experience. She describes her 10th-grade creative writing unit, “I loved creative writing during my sophomore year with Gaby Edwards. I remember her giving us creative prompts that sparked our imagination…These prompts were freeing, and not only did I feel that my own writing improved, but also, I also witnessed the imaginative meanderings of my classmates. I felt incredibly inspired by the teacher and by my peers.” Whelan didn’t just remember the lesson, but the inspiration that she felt watching her classmates and teacher succeed. Creative moments like these, blended with important academic lessons, foster imagination and confidence that students hold on to long past their high school years.

Whelan also remarks on Cate’s extensive outdoors program, a popular extracurricular activity. “Being outside with friends is one of my best memories of my time at Cate. I remember swimming in cold rivers, hiking up seemingly endless switchbacks to arrive at  the most exquisite spots to set up our campsite.” Whelan’s experience highlights how Cate’s emphasis on nature and outdoor activities creates lasting memories, ones that alumni remember just as clearly as academic experiences.