St. Catherine's Academy
Anaheim, CA
"Making of Men"
The Verdict
St. Catherine's Academy is the only Catholic military school for elementary and middle school boys in the United States—a 135-year-old institution where Dominican Sisters and Army-trained military instructors work side by side.
Located just two miles from Disneyland, SCA's drill team regularly outperforms high school JROTC programs, earning first place in six categories at the Orange County Annual Drill Competition against 12 high school teams.
Campus & Cadet Life
About
St. Catherine's Academy is a Catholic school with a military tradition for boys in transitional kindergarten - 8th grade. Its mission is to provide students with a foundation for lifelong success through a formation program rooted in the Dominican charism, emphasizing faith, leadership, academics, and service.
Tuition & Costs
2025-2026 RatesBoarding
$65,491
Day Student
$18,524
*7-day boarding: $65,491; 5-day: $49,426; Day TK-1st: $14,365; Day 2nd-8th: $18,524
View official tuition pageAdmissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
developmental
Key Requirements
- School transcript
- Recommendation letter
- Application essay
- Interview (optional but recommended)
- Application fee ($100)
Location
Campus & Facilities
Campus Size
8 acres
Housing
Dormitory
Enrollment
140
Student:Teacher
7:1
Barracks Life
Housing Type
dorm
Daily Schedule
Structured day includes morning assembly with prayer, academic classes with 1:1 laptops, afternoon drill training, athletics, and supervised study periods. Resident students live in one of four dormitories with resident care providers. The military program begins in second grade, with all cadets participating in daily drill practice. Prayer experiences are integrated throughout the day—in class, in the dormitory, and at morning assembly.
Discipline Model
Positive peer pressure system with honor code. The military program strives to instill leadership, confidence, honor, courage, commitment, responsibility, compassion, and respect. Cadets place high value on personal integrity and adherence to the honor code. The structure emphasizes character development rather than punitive discipline, with leadership opportunities through the cadet chain of command.
Academics & Outcomes
College Matriculation
Not applicable (K-8 school; graduates attend high school)
Where Graduates Go
Not applicable (elementary/middle school)
Hall of Fame
Michael Thomas
Class of 1969, noted for fond memories as a boarding student including serving as bugler in the band
Athletics & Physical Training
Varsity Sports
Mandatory PT
Daily physical education for all students. Cadets participate in afternoon drill training. The military department takes cadets to a one-week leadership camp at Camp San Luis Obispo each summer. All cadets are challenged with appropriate exercise and physical development activities.
Facilities
8-acre campus two miles from Disneyland includes football field, obstacle course, indoor heated swimming pool, gymnasium, SmartBoard-equipped classrooms, administrative offices, social hall, dining hall, infirmary, and four dormitories with resident care providers, theater, and recreation rooms.
External Ratings
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Official Federal Data Sources
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