Head of School
From the Desk of Alexandra Lockett
At Cate, our inquiry-based curriculum is fueled by our commitment to fostering health and excellence in our community. Our academic, athletic, arts, and outdoors programs take advantage of our unique location. Nestled between the peaks of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Carpinteria coastline, we offer countless opportunities for exploration, collaboration, and curiosity. Whether molding new ideas through the arts, questioning into the sciences, or observing the human condition in humanities, our students engage deeply and grow as they encounter diverse perspectives.
Visitors to Cate often comment on the stunning vistas, the tranquil setting, and the idyllic California weather. But what remains with them long after they leave campus is the warmth of our community. At Cate, students and faculty alike find a sense of belonging, purpose, and joy that enriches their lives and motivates them to make meaningful contributions to our world.
Our people, place, and inquiry method create what our founder, Curtis Cate, called the “spirit of this place”. We invite you to experience the spirit of Cate for yourself. Join us in Carpinteria, California to visit our campus, meet our students, and observe our program. We look forward to welcoming you to the Mesa!
Recent Updates from Ms. Lockett
November 22, 2024
Head of School’s Notebook
Happy Fall Break! Today, our students are in various stages of travel on their way to their loved ones. We can already feel their absence here, yet we know how excited they are for this break and for the chance to reconnect with the people and places they know and love. As we all prepare …
October 25, 2024
Head of School’s Notebook
Fall Family Weekend is an important milestone marking the halfway point between the start of school and Winter Break. Like the start to a story, this first chapter of the year holds clues and emerging themes that foreshadow what we might expect in the months to come. From my perspective, the level of engagement, high …
October 11, 2024
Head of School’s Notebook
During my visits to 9th grade Humanities classes this week, I saw students simultaneously at ease and engaged as they wrestled to make meaning of a passage from Oedipus. Every time I get the opportunity to spend time in classrooms, I see the power of our inquiry method on display as students lean more into …
September 27, 2024
Head of School’s Notebook
As we move into fall, I wanted to share a list of 10 highlights from the start of the year. As is true with life on the Mesa, each day contains moments of collective exuberance often followed by a quiet sliver of solitude – usually outside. I’ve learned to pay attention at every moment to …
