Friday, August 9
New Student Orientation
Monday, August 12
Mandatory Orientation
Tuesday, August 13
First Day of Classes
Palma Receives $2.5m from Edward M. Dowd Foundation
The Largest One-Time Gift In Palma’s History
The generous gift will provide funding to remodel the gym and update Palma School’s entrance.
“We are thrilled to receive this gift at this pivotal moment in our history. The renovated gym will serve all of our students through physical education, fine and performing arts programs, and daily student life. It will be an improvement benefiting the entire Palma community.” — Chris Dalman, Palma’s president
What’s Happening
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Community News
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Samantha Salter to Be Palma School Dean of Students
Palma School is pleased to announce that Samantha Salter has been selected to be a Dean of Students.
“I am thrilled to join the Palma community and embark on this new journey. It is a privilege to contribute to the growth and development of Palma, and I am dedicated to supporting students in their academic and personal endeavors. The strong brotherhood at Palma is truly inspiring and I am excited to foster the same spirit among the female students. Looking forward to a great school year,” stated Ms. Salter.
Beginning August 1, 2024 in collaboration with current Dean of Students, Mr. Nick Norian, Palma School will be poised to benefit from the capable leadership and experiences of two Deans of Students to serve the growing needs of Chieftain students and the welcome expansion of young women in the fall. As integral members of Palma School’s Administration, the Deans promote a culture of self-respect and respect among students for others with opportunities for students to show accountability, responsibility and leadership. Salter’s education, background, and highly accomplished experience in coaching female adolescents make her an ideal role model for mentoring students of promise to men and women of character at Palma.
In addition to her responsibilities as Dean of Students, Ms. Salter will also be the Girls’ Varsity Softball Head Coach as she has extensive experience coaching softball. Her philosophy of support, guidance and motivation align with Palma’s which makes her an ideal addition to the Varsity coaching staff.
![News - Amy Dilll](https://www.palmaschool.org/hubfs/News%20-%20Amy%20Dilll.jpg)
Amy Dill To Head Women’s Soccer Program
Palma School is excited to announce that Amy Dill has been selected to head the Women’s Soccer Program.
Coach Dill comes to Palma with a solid resume of leadership at the middle school, high school and club levels with impressive success season after season. More importantly, she has a reputation for holding players to high academic, social and moral standards. Her advanced education and commitment to students make her ideal for mentoring Chieftains both on and off the pitch.
“I am incredibly honored to be chosen to lead Palma School’s Women’s Soccer Program. I am dedicated to building a powerful program focusing on excellence, resilience, and integrity. Our goal is to empower our young women to become leaders and role models,” Dill stated.
This is an exciting time for Palma and the community looks forward to many dynamic seasons of women’s soccer.
![News - Holly Andrus-Harris](https://www.palmaschool.org/hubfs/News%20-%20Holly%20Andrus-Harris.jpg)
Holly Andrus-Harris Named Student Activities Director
Palma School is excited to announce that Holly Andrus-Harris will be the 2024-25 Director of Student Activities. In her new role, she will implement Palma’s “House System” that will elevate student interaction and campus culture.
“I’m excited to invigorate leadership and spirit at Palma and hope that will create the same lifelong impact that I gained from my time at Palma as a student and previous employee,” Holly said.
Ms. Andrus-Harris has experience working at Palma as the Assistant to the Athletic Director from 2007 through 2011 and brings a wealth of entrepreneurial talent to the school. Her recent endeavors include successful business startups. She is currently the Event Director for Flair on the Farm, a homegrown craft show that serves 190 local vendors each November.
Ms. Andrus-Harris was a 2000 graduate of Notre Dame High School before matriculating to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In her time at Notre Dame, she was a Palma cheerleader and a member of the combined Palma-Notre Dame ASB board.
View this profile on InstagramPalma School (@palma_school) • Instagram photos and videos
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Chieftains Connect
Looking for more than a school? Find it at Palma
Whether you’re moving up from elementary school or entering Palma at any grade level, you will find a welcoming campus culture. The class camaraderie is strong and students feel connected within their class and across their school.
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Chieftains Thrive
A Palma education is focused on the whole person, preparing students to thrive in college and in the world. Palma graduates possess character and are confident in their convictions.
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Acceptances
100%
of 2024 graduates were accepted to college
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Scholarships
$5,500,000+
was received by 2024 graduates in college scholarship offers
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Service
6,000+
service hours are logged by students on an annual basis
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Athletes
47
graduates have received athletic scholarships in the past 10 years
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University Attendance
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Chieftains Inspire
Alumni credit Palma for the success they continue to have in college and life.
"I use the tools given to me at Palma to educate and empower students like me — underrepresented, underserved, low-income students. It’s because of the courage and conviction I gained at Palma that I can show my students that they, too, can achieve the education necessary for social mobility.”
“Palma set the foundation for me to establish a strong work ethic in order to be successful in an unfamiliar environment. Some of my best memories come from Palma and I can’t thank my parents enough for making the sacrifice to send me there. Thanks to Palma I’m a first-generation college student.”
“Palma offers a value-based education that’s really unlike any other school in Monterey County. I personally grew impassioned and really learned through my volunteering at Soledad State Prison with the Prison Ministry working with those on the margins.”
Palma Alumni Webcast Series
A weekly webcast hosted by Abe Lincoln ’88 includes interviews of alumni from a diverse range of backgrounds, spanning several decades, career fields, and interests to discuss their experiences at Palma and life after graduation.
The 2024 Inductees of Palma's Hall of Fame have been selected.
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Let’s Talk
We would love to hear from you. You can start the conversation by choosing a button below.
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Mindful of our primary mission to be a witness to the love of Christ for all, Palma School admits students of any race, color, national and/or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students at the school. Palma School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and/or ethnic origin, nor age in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. While Palma School does not discriminate against students with special needs, a full range of services may not be available. Likewise, Palma School does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin. Palma School reserves the right to be a sole judge of merit, competence and qualifications, and can favor Catholic applicants and co-workers in all employment decisions, especially in those positions that have direct bearing upon the pastoral activity of the Church.