In the Fall of 2024, Palma will admit young women in grades 9-12. We are exploring the possibility of split classes at certain grade levels. We would expect to have an answer to this in the coming weeks.
© 2023
Admissions
Welcome
Palma is the school for students who seek high knowledge and personal growth; who seek a peer group in which they are valued; and who seek to become a person of character, conviction and confidence.
Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023
Financial aid applications open
Thursday, Feb 1, 2024
Financial Aid Application Due
Saturday, Jan 27, 2024
All grades level placement exam
Welcoming young women and men
For the first time since 1964, young women are invited to become Chieftains in all high school grades (9 through 12) starting in the 2024-25 school year. This transformation to a coed school, in keeping with our mission, is driven by the desire to make a Palma education accessible to all young people and better serve our area.
Here are some questions being asked as we move toward this reality:
Per CIF (CA Interscholastic Federation) for educationally based sports, any student who participates in a varsity level sport at their current school but wishes to transfer to another school to play that same varsity sport the following year, will be required to have a six week sit-out period for that particular sport.
As with many schools in our area, Palma will be using other spaces within our community for any spillover need for sports fields/courts. Palma currently rents and utilizes spaces throughout our community to enable our athletes to participate in our many sports offerings. Palma has an athletic project currently in its early stages that would expand the turf area which would enable more space for our athletes.
Understandably, the addition of young women to our campus will be a change to our school that we have not experienced since the split of Palma and Notre Dame in 1963. The comradery within our young men will not deteriorate and neither will the bonds of our young women as they bring their own sisterhood to our school. Like a family that is always changing for the better with expansion, we will work hard at not losing the identity of both our young men and women.
At this time, the total capacity at Palma School is around 630 students. With some 485 students currently enrolled, an additional 140 students would be a welcome return to previous size. It is estimated that enrolling young women in high school will be gradual with a priority towards creating parity of young men and women in the near future. Palma junior high, grades 6-8, will remain a male-only enrollment.
Discussions are already underway among current students and personnel with future plans for professional development, rich discussion, and collaborations with faculty and our community. A large majority of our current faculty have taught in a coed environment within their teaching careers which will be of great value in this transition.
As stated in a previous question, our enrollment can increase by 130-140 students next year. Parity between young men and women will not be achieved on day one, but rather over years of admissions and onboarding new students. Our current high school students will not need to reapply as we add young women to our high school. The application process for our current 8th grade students into high school is still being evaluated and we would anticipate an answer in the coming weeks.
Important Dates
Co-ed High School
Monday, Oct 9, 2023 — RESERVE A SPOT
High School Visitation Day
Sunday, Nov 5, 2023
High School Open House
Saturday, Dec 9, 2023
High School Placement Exam
Tuesday, Dec 12, 2023
Priority Enrollment High School Packet Due
Monday, Dec 22, 2023
Priority Admissions Emailed
All-boy Middle School
Monday, Oct 2, 2023
Middle School Shadow Days begin
Wednesday, Dec 6, 2023
Middle School Open House
Saturday, Jan 13, 2024
Middle School Placement Exam
Friday, Feb 23, 2024
Admissions Decisions Email
The Class of 2023 received these acceptances
Palma School is...
a private, college preparatory school, grades six through twelve, owned and operated by the Christian Brothers Institute of California.
located in a quiet neighborhood in south Salinas.
comprised of a diverse but inclusive population who commute from all over the Salinas Valley and Central Coast.
challenging while offering a campus culture and opportunities that build a resume for college and life.
talented students and supportive families who work together toward common educational and spiritual goals.
an exceptional value.
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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.