News

Saint Monica Preparatory launched an exchange program with Cheonan Jungang High School, located just outside of Seoul, Korea, with a signing ceremony and exchange of gifts. Next month, 10 students will join SMPREP for a weeklong, collaborative Project Based Learning program on climate action. SMPREP students, in turn, will have the opportunity to experience Korean life and culture in January. 

Roland Labana, Saint Monica Preparatory's STEM Academy Dean, was recognized as one of this year's recipients of the David Hines Volunteer of the Year Awards. Our congratulations and gratitude go out to Labana, along with fellow awardees Dan O'Brien and Julie Shavers, SMPREP parents who were also celebrated for making a difference in the Saint Monica community through their dedication and service.

Saint Monica Preparatory is the Best Private High School for the FOURTH year in a row, according to HomeTown News readers in its annual “Best of” August issue. Sending a big thank you to everyone in the community who voted for SMPREP.

Former Saint Monica Preparatory School Board President Ed Stokx has completed his 13 years of service on the board, six as president. We are grateful for his strong leadership, particularly during the transition to our successful new chapter as one unified TK-12 school.

Over 125 Saint Monica Preparatory students, families, faculty and alumni walked together in both the Santa Monica and Westchester 4th of July parades this year. The holiday was a great celebration of what makes Saint Monica so special - our community!

Saint Monica Preparatory welcomed back one of our own esteemed alumni, Blake Van Putten '12 as the speaker at the 86th Annual Commencement. St. Monica, pray for our Class of 2024 during this exciting next chapter in their lives. SMPREP also celebrated three more of its athletes continuing their athletic careers at the college level in a spring signing ceremony. Athletic highlights also include Boys and Girls Track & Field breaking four all-time school records this season, and Mariner Boys Golf shooting a personal best 192.

Congratulations to Saint Monica Preparatory’s youngest learners for crossing into Kindergarten in a sweet Transitional Kindergarten Bridging Ceremony. Our 8th graders were cheered on by the entire community during the second annual Mariner March to 9th Grade. Lower School held both a sports banquet and pep rally to celebrate all of our student athletes’ many accomplishments this year, while classes hosted parties including a special 5th grade BBQ before students step up to middle school in the fall.

Our 31st SMASH Gala & Auction was held on May 11 and honored the president-elect of the University of Notre Dame, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. Over 20 years ago, when Fr. Bob was priest-in-residence here at St. Monica, he helped launch our ministry with Holy Cross Parish in Africa. Next month, a contingent of about 10 rising seniors and faculty members from SMPREP will travel to Dandora, Nairobi, Kenya to continue our service.

Congratulations to our senior class on their impressive list of college acceptances. We’re excited to share that six students were accepted to Berkeley, three to the University of Notre Dame and five to UCLA. SMPREP's Class of 2024 also received yes decisions from the Ivy League, as well as multiple HBCUs and many prestigious, competitive private schools across the U.S. and internationally.

Congratulations to all of our Saint Monica Preparatory artists from the cast and crew of the spring production, "Mean Girls: The Musical" to participants in the Lower School Talent Show and upcoming Illuminate Arts Festival, to filmmakers showing their short films at the first annual Saint Monica Film Festival. SMPREP students were also recently honored across multiple essay contents and festivals. 

Congratulations to Saint Monica alumna, Nathalie Rayes ’92, confirmed earlier this year as U.S. ambassador to Croatia. Alejandra Campoverdi '97 and commencement speaker for the Class of 2023, published “First Gen: A Memoir” this year, an unflinching memoir about navigating social mobility as a first gen Latina.

Students in grades 6 through 12 took part in Saint Monica Preparatory’s Wintersession program this year, an experiential learning week that takes SMPREP students out of the classroom and immerses them in activities around Los Angeles, California, the U.S. and the world.

Senior Dinorah Cortez is one of three student cadets at Saint Monica Preparatory. The LAPD's cadet program, which has posts at all of its 21 regional divisions, shows youth how to lead through community service, working in police stations and participating in city events. 

Saint Monica Preparatory hosted two 8th grade French exchange students last month who participated in classes and student life on and off campus, while the Upper School celebrated the arrival of two Japanese exchange students. SMPREP students will travel to France and Japan over the coming months.

Congratulations Mariners on a strong showing for winter sports at Saint Monica Preparatory. Girls Soccer had an undefeated regular season, and along with both Girls and Boys Basketball teams, secured their respective League Champion titles!