Cate School

Cate School is a coeducational boarding and day high school in Carpinteria, California, enrolling between 300 and 500 students on a mesa overlooking the Pacific. Founded in the early twentieth century, the school is non-sectarian and draws much of its identity from its founder's phrase, "the spirit of this place" — a mix of study, play, service, and shared community life.

Teaching at Cate School is a residential experience. Most faculty live on or near campus, advise students, and take part in the rhythms of dorm life, athletics, and outdoor programs along the Santa Barbara coast. The culture rewards teachers who want to know students beyond the classroom and who value close working relationships with colleagues across departments.

Compensation reflects both the cost of coastal California and the depth of the role. Faculty housing is a meaningful piece of the package in a region where rent pressures are significant. With net assets near $193 million, annual revenue above $34 million, and fundraising up roughly 19 percent in the most recent reporting year, Cate School has the financial footing to invest in salaries, benefits, and facilities.

Hiring typically spans core academic disciplines — English, math, science, history, languages, and the arts — along with coaching, residential life, admission, advancement, and operations roles. Openings cluster ahead of each academic year, with occasional mid-year searches.

For educators drawn to a small high school with a coastal setting and a residential model, Cate School offers an unusually integrated career.