About - Saint Monica Preparatory

The power of ONE.

Welcome to our first year as Saint Monica Preparatory.
Here, you belong.

The 2022-2023 school year marks a new chapter in our nearly one hundred year history. The two schools formerly known as St. Monica Catholic Elementary School and St. Monica Catholic High School come together to form a single, TK-12 co-educational parish school. As one school Saint Monica Preparatory offers a dynamic, cohesive and comprehensive learning environment where students are known, seen, challenged and nurtured.

Founded in 1930, we are just seven blocks from the beach and nestled in the heart of the community of Santa Monica, California. We offer a place for students to grow in body, mind and spirit within a diverse Catholic community.

Letter from the President

Thank you for taking the time to explore Saint Monica Preparatory. I welcome you to learn more about our outstanding school and our work in preparing your child for success, whether they are a 4-year old in Transitional Kindergarten or a 17-year old in 12th Grade.

The administration and faculty of Saint Monica Preparatory share a dedication to the educational, social/emotional, and spiritual exploration of the students in our care. Together we provide an environment in which students thrive in the development of their faith and their academic and co-curricular interests.

We are an incredibly diverse but close-knit school community, drawing from over 70 zip codes spread across Los Angeles, but all finding a common home here on our four-acre site in beautiful Santa Monica.

Saint Monica Prep is a ministry of St. Monica Catholic Community, a parish that is graced with the decades-long leadership of Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson, a pastor who places Catholic education at the top of his priorities.

After perusing our website, please, come for a tour; meet some of our students and staff first hand. I am sure you will be impressed.

Dn. Kevin McCardle, Ph.D.
President

VISION, MISSION and PHILOSOPHY

Vision

Mission

Philosophy

SMPREP is a vibrant co-educational parish school that educates diverse learners from TK through 12th grade. Our school family respects and encourages innovative learning in students of a wide range of abilities, cultures and faiths and we affirm and respect the dignity of each member of our school community. In collaboration with parents and the parish community, we provide a faith-based education that fosters academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, individual talents and Christian service.

A CELEBRATION OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION

As Saint Monica Preparatory, our amazing students, leaders, teachers and staff continue a tradition of excellence in our value-rich learning environment. Here, the principles of Catholic education remain strong. Each individual is encouraged to explore, develop their unique gifts and talents, and share them with the world. Our history runs deep:

Saint Monica Preparatory History

Saint Monica Preparatory History

1899: Saint Monica Preparatory School traces its origin to the turn of the century when the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, at the request of Bishop Montgomery, first opened a small elementary school.

1901: To meet the need for more facilities and a potential high school, the sisters erected the “Academy of the Holy Names”, which stood at the corner of Third and Arizona Streets. The Academy housed both the elementary school and the high school.

1930: When the elementary school became the “Saint Monica Parish Elementary School” it separated from the original building and transferred to its present site on Seventh Street.

1935: After five years it became apparent that even more facilities were needed for the Academy’s high school. This time, pastor Monsignor Nicholas Conneally asked the Sisters to sell the Academy building and by the fall the sale was complete.

1946 to 1948: St. Monica Catholic Elementary grew rapidly at the new location and again additional facilities and faculty were needed. The Brothers of Mary came in to teach the boys from 1946 to 1948, at which time the Brothers of St. Patrick took over, arriving from Ireland and establishing their first house in the United States. The sisters retained instruction of the girls.

1956: Ground was broken on Lincoln Boulevard for the new high school in May under the direction of Msgr. Raymond O’Flagherty but it housed only the Boys’ Department. The Girls would remain in today’s West Wing.

1968: For the first time since 1946, Saint Monica High School’s administrations merged under the leadership of Sister Michaeline Mary, SNJM. In 1970 the two faculties, student bodies and classroom instruction became "co-ed".

1975: When the sisters withdrew from the elementary school due to dwindling availability, an all-lay faculty took over the elementary school to continue the good work of Catholic Education. Accommodating both boys and girls, the school’s faculty consisted of five sisters and two priests and the first graduating class numbered twenty: 17 girls and three boys.

1977: The lay ministry stepped in as the Brothers of St. Patrick departed.

Today, more than 100 years after the Sisters of the Holy Names’ arrival, their educational ministry continues as the two schools merge to form Saint Monica Preparatory.

School Profile
Download and view our 2023-2024 School Profile.

Accreditation
Saint Monica Preparatory is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. We are a member of the National Catholic Education Association and the Western Catholic Educational Association.

Faculty & Staff
Faculty members at Saint Monica Preparatory participate in the life of the Saint Monica community through their classroom teaching as well as involvement in campus activities and athletics. A large number of our faculty hold advanced degrees (including seven doctorates) and utilize varied teaching strategies to enable students to succeed— not only at Saint Monica Preparatory but in college as well.

Ensuring a Safe Environment
Safeguard the Children is a comprehensive program designed to promote a safe environment for children, youth and vulnerable adults. All volunteers, clergy and staff are required to attend a VIRTUS session, “Protecting God’s Children” adult awareness training session and submit to a background check in the form of fingerprinting by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Click here for additional details.

Saint Monica Preparatory Board

Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson
Pastor, St. Monica Catholic Community

Dn. Kevin McCardle, Ph.D.
President

Dr. Neil Quinly
Principal, Lower School

Mr. James Spellman
Principal, Upper School

Mary Flaherty
Chairperson

Michael DiPaolo, Ph.D.

Dorene Dominguez

Dr. John Given

Veronica Grazer

Angelo Mazzone

Daniel O’Brien

Jill Tabit

Ed Stokx ‘84

Welcome to our first year as Saint Monica Preparatory. Here, you belong.

Letter from the President

Saint Monica Preparatory Board

Welcome to our first year as Saint Monica Preparatory.
Here, you belong.