St. Monica Catholic Elementary School

What St. Monica Catholic Elementary School does

Saint Monica Preparatory (SMPREP) is a private, nonprofit, TK-12 Catholic school located in Santa Monica, California, operating across two campuses—a Lower School at 1039 7th Street (TK-5) and an Upper School at 1030 Lincoln Blvd (6-12). The institution was formed in 2022 by unifying St. Monica Parish Elementary School (founded 1899 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary) with St. Monica Catholic High School (opened 1937), creating a single TK-12 educational platform under the oversight of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. SMPREP serves families in Santa Monica and the broader Westside Los Angeles area, enrolling students across three academic divisions: Lower School (TK-5), Middle School (6-8), and Upper School (9-12), with a stated 17:1 student-to-teacher ratio and approximately 97 faculty and staff (including five faculty members holding doctoral degrees).

The school's core academic platform is built on Project-Based Learning (delivered in partnership with PBLWorks' Gold Standard PBL framework) and a four-stage Experiential Learning program (concrete experience, reflection, conceptual refinement, and active testing) that includes domestic and international excursions. Specialized academic infrastructure includes the MORI Marine Research Institute—a 650-square-foot marine lab equipped with saltwater tanks where students conduct coral microfragmentation research in partnership with USC's Coral Lab—a MakerSpace innovation lab supporting K-through-college-level projects, and a dual-enrollment partnership with Santa Monica College allowing upper school students to earn college credit on campus. The school also operates the Core Prep Academy (a performance-driven middle school program for student-athletes), the SOL-LA Music Academy (creative mentorship in music), five Academic Pathways (Humanities College Prep, Visual and Performing Arts, Honors/Advanced Placement, Athletics Industries, and Computer Science/Engineering, with an Entrepreneurship pathway launching for 2026-27), and international exchange programs with Koyasan High School (Japan) and Cheonan Jungang High School (Korea).

SMPREP generates revenue primarily through tiered annual tuition subscriptions ($16,700 for TK-5; $19,200 for 6-8 standard; $23,650 for the Core Prep Academy; $25,670 for 9-12 domestic; $30,000 for 9-12 international students), plus a $500 per-family registration fee. A multi-child discount structure (12%/24%/36% for the 2nd/3rd/4th enrolled child) supports family retention across the TK-12 pipeline. Tuition is supplemented by the Mariner Fund, an annual community-wide fundraiser that accounts for approximately 20% of the school's operating budget, as well as the SMASH Gala, stock and securities donations, planned giving through The 1926 Society, and corporate matching gift programs. Annual financial aid of more than $1.4 million is distributed to families, processed through the FACTS Grant & Aid platform. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and holds memberships in the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) and Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA). All tuition is inclusive of technology, retreats, athletics, and performing arts, with payment plans offered as full payment, two installments, or 11 monthly installments.

Name

St. Monica Catholic Elementary School

Legal name

Saint Monica Preparatory

Website

https://saintmonicaprep.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Saint Monica Preparatory is a private, nonprofit TK-12 Catholic school in Santa Monica, California, serving Westside LA families through unified Lower, Middle, and Upper School campuses. It delivers project-based and experiential learning, college counseling, and specialized academies in marine research, athletics, music, and entrepreneurship.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Catholic Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Single-Sex (Boys/Girls) Private Schools (EDAJABAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• Catholic education
• TK-12 instruction
• College preparatory
• Project-based learning
• Faith-based education

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica, California

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Annual tuition payments from families for TK-12 education. Tuition varies by grade level: $16,700 for TK-5th, $19,200 for 6th-8th, $25,670 for 9th-12th domestic students, and $30,000 for international students. Core Prep program costs $23,650. All fees are inclusive of technology, retreats, athletics, and performing arts.
2. The Mariner Fund: Annual community-wide fundraiser accounting for approximately 20% of the school's operating budget. Supported by current parents, alumni, grandparents and the School Board. Supports faculty salaries, financial aid, programs, activities and facilities.
3. SMASH Gala: Annual major fundraising gala event (SMASH 2026) to raise funds for school programs and initiatives.
4. Stock and Securities Donations: Accepts donations of stock with ADLA stock transfer form and DTC instructions provided to donors' brokers.
5. Planned Giving: Legacy giving programs including The 1926 Society introduced during the centennial celebration for second century investments.
6. Multi-Child Discounts: Tuition discounts for families with multiple children enrolled: 12% discount for second child, 24% for third child, 36% for fourth child.
7. Corporate Matching Gifts: Donations matched by employers through corporate matching gift programs, doubling or tripling individual contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Saint Monica Preparatory (SMPREP) is a unified TK-12 Catholic school operating two campuses in Santa Monica, California. The school delivers three academic divisions (Lower School TK-5, Middle School 6-8, Upper School 9-12) anchored in project-based and experiential learning, with a four-year college counseling program and specialized academies including the M.O.R.I. Marine Research Institute and SOL-LA Music Academy.

Product overview

Saint Monica Preparatory is a TK-12 Catholic school offering a unified educational platform with three academic divisions (Lower School TK-5, Middle School 6-8, Upper School 9-12). The institution supplements its core academic programs with specialized academies including Core Prep Academy for student-athletes, M.O.R.I. marine research institute, and SOL-LA Music Academy. Academic Pathways provide specialized tracks in Humanities, Visual and Performing Arts, Honors/AP, Athletics Industries, and Computer Science/Engineering. The school integrates Project-Based Learning and Experiential Learning across all grade levels, supported by a MakerSpace facility. Additional offerings include Summer Camps, comprehensive Athletics and Arts programs (performing arts and visual arts), and four-year College Counseling services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Core Prep Academy: A program designed for middle school student-athletes who aspire to excel both in the classroom and on the field, providing a supportive, performance-driven environment without compromising academic rigor.
• M.O.R.I.
• SOL-LA
• Summer at Saint Monica

Products and services

• Lower School (TK-5) Transitional Kindergarten through 5th grade program focused on building academic foundations through play, discovery, and hands-on experiences in a nurturing Catholic environment.
• Middle School (6-8) Fully departmentalized middle school program where students take ownership of learning, build relationships with teachers, and prepare for high school rigor.
• Upper School (9-12) College preparatory program with project-based learning, four-year journey of collaboration and personal growth, producing creative and resilient citizens rooted in faith.
• Core Prep Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% college acceptance rate for graduates
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Santa Monica CollegecoreTechnology or IntegrationDual enrollment partnership allowing SMPREP upper school students to take college-level courses on campus and earn both college and high school credit. Students benefit from access to college-level curriculum while remaining at SMPREP.
• Koyasan High SchoolflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFourth annual exchange program partnership with Japanese high school. SMPREP students travel to Japan, attend classes, live in school dormitory, explore Tokyo and Osaka, and develop Japanese language skills. Japanese exchange students also visit SMPREP. Students created Japanese-language travel website for itinerary planning.
• Cheonan Jungang High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean exchange program partnership. Korean exchange students visit SMPREP, share classes and daily life while building cross-cultural friendships. Part of broader international exchange offerings.
• FACTScoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with FACTS Tuition Management for financial aid application processing. FACTS generates family contribution estimates based on tax documents for consistent and equitable financial aid reviews.
• PBLWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Gold Standard Project-Based Learning methodology. PBLWorks provides research-informed model for designing, implementing and assessing project-based learning. SMPREP implements their framework across all disciplines.
• Heal the BayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization partner for experiential learning. Students participate in beach cleanups and environmental education activities as part of experiential learning program.
• USC Coral LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for marine biology research. MORI students collaborate with USC researchers on coral reef research and ecosystem studies. Upper School students participate in research activities at USC facilities.
• Core Prep AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique program partnership for middle school student-athletes. Provides supportive, performance-driven environment combining athletic training with academic rigor for students aspiring to excel both in classroom and field.
• SOL-LA Music AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative community partnership providing artistic mentors for SMPREP students pursuing music education. Fosters joyful pursuit of music learning through mentorship.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Windward School: Independent K-12 college-prep school on the Westside of LA with similar student demographics, tuition band, and college-counseling focus. Direct geographic and curricular competitor.
• Crossroads School: Independent K-12 private school in Santa Monica serving the same Westside LA families with comparable tuition, college-prep focus, and project-based/experiential learning emphasis. Most directly comparable peer due to shared geography and secular-but-college-prep identity.
• Loyola High School: Catholic all-boys college-prep high school in Los Angeles, comparable in Catholic identity, college-prep mission, and similar Archdiocese of LA ecosystem. Direct faith-based peer.
• Campbell Hall: Independent K-12 school in North Hollywood/San Fernando Valley with college-prep focus and project-based learning emphasis, comparable in independent school identity and outcomes-driven mission.
• Bishop Montgomery High School: Catholic co-ed college-prep high school in Torrance, California, serving the broader LA Archdiocese Catholic community with comparable Catholic identity and college-prep mission.
• Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks): Catholic co-ed college-prep high school in the LA Archdiocese with similar Catholic identity, college-counseling focus, and tuition tier. Comparable peer in Catholic secondary education market.
• Harvard-Westlake School: Large independent K-12 school in West LA serving similar college-prep families at premium tuition with strong athletics and specialized programs. Major Westside private school competitor.
• Brentwood School: Independent K-12 private school on the Westside of Los Angeles with overlapping student demographics, comparable tuition range, and similar college-prep outcomes. Direct competitor for Westside families.
• Marymount High School: Catholic all-girls college-prep high school in West Los Angeles, directly comparable in Catholic college-prep identity, geographic market, and family demographic.

Emerging players

• Wildwood School: Independent K-12 progressive school on the Westside of LA emphasizing project-based and experiential learning — closely aligned with SMPREP's pedagogical approach and target families, though slightly more progressive/secular.

Market position

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SaintMonicaPrep
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st.-monica-catholic-elementary-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/saintmonicaprep?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Monica Catholic Elementary School