her retirement, Dr. Barbara Ostos became the fifth Head of School. Current statistics Lower and Middle School Enrollment There are 238 students in the Lower and Middle School; 61 percent are girls and 39 percent are boys. Class size and student-teacher ratio Class sizes are generally small, but vary by grade level as follows: Tuition Tuition varies by grade level, and the school offers need-based financial aid. Below is tuition and financial aid information for the 2010-2011 school year. Pre-K: $14,500 Kindergarten: $22,750 Grades 1-8: $24,750 42 percent of students receive financial aid. Upper School Enrollment, class size, and student-teacher ratio As of August 2019, there were 216 girls enrolled at Santa Catalina: 113 were boarding students and 103 were day students. International students made up 19% of the student body. The average class size was 12 students, and the student-teacher ratio was 8:1. Tuition Upper School tuition varies between resident and day students, and both need and merit-based financial aid are offered. Boarding: $59,000 for the 2019-20 school year Day: $38,250 for the 2019-20 school year 42% of students received financial aid for the 2019-20 school year. Education and academics Mission Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School "encourage[s] each boy and girl to work effectively, to communicate articulately, [and] to approach life with a sense of purpose and competence" and prepares students for secondary schooling. Santa Catalina School aims to "combine a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, modern educational technology, and solid Christian principles" to prepare its students for college and beyond. The single-sex environment, Catholic background, and college preparatory courses are emphasized to "teach the importance of becoming leaders in our communities by serving others." The school attempts to develop each girl's abilities and emphasizes balancing intellectual growth with spiritual awareness. Santa Catalina also seeks diversity in order to enhance a student's sense of responsibility to her community and herself. Requirements 4 years of English 3 years of math, foreign language, religious studies, lab sciences, and arts Extracurricular activities are required for each of the three athletic seasons. Students have a choice each season between sports, performing arts (theater, dance, and music), and physical education. Admission Santa Catalina accepts students on the basis of academic achievement and personal qualification "without regard to race, creed, color, or national and ethnic origins." The admissions office requires a questionnaire and writing sample, school transcript, teacher recommendations, parent statements, SSAT scores, an interview,