When looking for girls' schools in Monterey, one private school frequently comes up: Santa Catalina School.

At first, I thought it was just a local Catholic private school, but I found out that it is far from that. It is a private all-girls school for grades 9 through 12, and it operates as a proper college-prep school with boarding facilities.

The school is located at 1500 Mark Thomas Drive. It's not far from downtown Monterey, but once you enter the campus, it feels more like a quiet private school than a touristy area. Established in 1950, it is rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition. However, it is not exclusively for Catholic students; students from various religious and cultural backgrounds study together.

What stood out to me about this school was its size. With around 200 high school students, it is quite small. The student-to-teacher ratio is about 8 to 1, which creates a distinctly different atmosphere compared to public schools. This is not a place where teachers don't know their students' names by the end of the semester.

Being an all-girls school is also a unique feature. Some Korean parents might wonder, "Is it really necessary to send my daughter to an all-girls school in today's world?" However, there are parents who intentionally choose to send their daughters to all-girls schools. They see the advantage in girls naturally taking on leadership roles in math and science classes, as well as in student government, debates, and sports activities.

The curriculum is not solely focused on preparing for college. It offers college preparatory courses and high-level classes while also providing programs in the arts and performing arts. The ability to utilize the natural environment of the Monterey area is another unique aspect of this local school.

With the ocean and marine ecosystems right next door, it provides an excellent environment for students interested in science or environmental studies.

Additionally, what sets Santa Catalina apart from typical local private schools is its boarding option. Students living in Monterey can attend as Day Students, while those coming from other regions or abroad can live on campus. This creates a diverse student body that is not limited to local residents.

The issue, of course, is the tuition. When I first saw the tuition for this school, I had to take a second look. For the most recent academic year, Day Students should expect to pay in the high $40,000 range annually, while Boarding students, including room and board, can reach the high $70,000 to nearly $80,000 range. When you factor in personal expenses and some additional costs, it adds up to a significant amount.

Simply calculating for four years means it costs about the same as a college tuition. Fortunately, there is a Financial Aid program, so not every family pays the full listed tuition. If you are considering applying for aid, it's a good idea to inquire about the actual financial assistance you might receive.

The college admission results are also an important factor for parents choosing this school. Graduates go on to attend prestigious universities across the U.S., including the UC system. However, it's important not to think, "If I go to this school, I will get into Stanford or UCLA." Ultimately, college admissions depend on the individual student's grades, activities, and application strategy.

If I had a daughter and was looking for private schools in Monterey, I would definitely consider visiting Santa Catalina. The tuition is honestly daunting. However, for families looking for a small class size, an all-girls environment, a boarding school system, and a college preparatory program, the conversation changes.

While it may seem like there aren't many school options in a small town like Monterey, there are hidden gems like this school. Ultimately, the question is not whether the school exists, but whether it is the right fit for our child, and whether we can afford this tuition for four years. If both of those factors align, Santa Catalina is a very attractive choice.