Spiritual Life

Sponsored by the Dominican Sisters

As the oldest Catholic school in Orange County, St. Catherine's Academy was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose founded in 1889. They continue to sponsor and operate the school, holding positions in administration, teaching, and resident care. Eleven Sisters currently minister or live at SCA, more than any other Catholic school in Orange County.

Honoring our Dominican heritage, SCA applies a school-wide formation program emphasizing the Dominican Pillars of community, ministry (service), study, and prayer.

Spiritual Development

As a student at St. Catherine's Academy, your son will have many opportunities to grow in his Catholic faith, including:

• Daily prayer
• Daily religion class
• Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament offered during lunch break
• Weekly school-wide Eucharist, with opportunities to participate as an altar server, usher, and lector
• Preparation for the sacraments (First Holy Communion and First Penance)
• Retreats
• Prayer groups for residential students
• Formation program focused on the Dominican charism
• Service-learning projects

All-Boys Academics

St. Catherine’s Academy is the only all-boys Catholic school in Orange County for students in transitional kindergarten – 8th grade. As such, St. Catherine’s is able to focus on the unique learning styles of boys. Educational research has shown that boys learn differently from girls, especially during their early academic years. Our teachers use research-based best practices to help boys learn and grow in an environment of engagement and hands-on activities.

8:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio

At SCA, your son will enjoy small class sizes and individual attention. You can expect close communication with teachers regarding your son’s academic progress. St. Catherine’s Academy offers individualized options for advanced students and for those needing extra support.

Beyond the Classroom

St. Catherine’s Academy is proud to offer a variety of enrichment classes and extracurricular activities beyond what is offered at other Orange County Catholic schools. Your son will explore a variety of enrichment classes, including laboratory science, Spanish, music, physical education, and art. In addition, your son will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, such as marching band, piano, guitar, athletics, drill team, and peer leadership.

Unique Military Tradition

Unlike any other Orange County Catholic School, St. Catherine’s Academy has a military tradition. This longstanding tradition, which complements our spiritual and academic programs, will help teach your son important life skills like leadership, self-discipline, and integrity. The military tradition also creates a structured environment that encourages boys to be their best.