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Connecting the Classroom to the Surrounding World

Connecting the Classroom to the Surrounding World
Connecting the Classroom to the Surrounding World

In addition to international and national travel opportunities for students at Saint Monica Preparatory to see the world, including Africa, Japan and South Korea trips at the Upper School and the annual Washington, D.C. and New York City Lower School experience, the 2024-25 school year featured many hands-on learning opportunities. During Wintersession, the annual week that takes 9th-12th grades out of the classroom for activities throughout Greater Los Angeles, students spent time learning and reflecting at Aquarium of the Pacific, CROW Comedy Club, Disneyland, Dodger Stadium, fishing in Newport Harbor, hiking in Griffith Park, Getty Center, Grand Central Market & Little Tokyo, Mission San Buenaventura, Rose Bowl and more. The interactive activities contribute to our school’s shared goals of fostering global citizenship, cultural awareness and personal growth in our students. Meanwhile, 6th grade students again took part in Pali Camp, a three day retreat/adventure in the San Bernardino Mountains including a high ropes course, archery games, orienteering activities, night hikes, forensic lessons, even ziplining 800 feet across a mountain ridge! 

SMPREP's 2nd grade did not disappoint with its Animal Wax Museum, where students researched and presented facts about their animals of choice, creating books and displays, and even dressing up for the part. Both 4th and 5th graders immersed themselves in history closer to home with interactive reenactments in "Walk Through California" and "Walk Through the American Revolution," respectively. Every year, California Weekly Explorer returns to SMPREP with these dynamic history lessons where students bring to life all that they've learned about famous events, historical figures and vocabulary. 

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Curiosity in Action: A Snapshot of TK-8 Learning at Saint Monica Prep
Curiosity in Action: A Snapshot of TK-8 Learning at Saint Monica Prep

From hands-on research to real-world exploration, learning across Saint Monica Preparatory’s TK-8 program is anything but ordinary. This winter, our seventh graders returned to the Academic Junior High Decathlon for the first time since 2020.

Lower School students celebrated the 100th Day of School with creativity, curiosity and plenty of counting. Meanwhile, the school transformed into a lively zoo during the second grade Animal Wax Museum. Fourth graders visited the San Gabriel Mission as they study California’s history, culminating in essays and 3D mission models.

Experiential learning continues beyond the classroom with visits to the Getty Villa, California Science Center and Museum of Tolerance, capped with the upcoming rising freshman trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City.

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Real Love That Carries the Cross: Saint Monica at Youth Day & RECongress
Real Love That Carries the Cross: Saint Monica at Youth Day & RECongress

Saint Monica Preparatory students and faculty took part in the 2026 Youth Day in Anaheim, joining more than 11,000 young people from across the Archdiocese for a powerful day of prayer, music, speakers and more. Our freshman class and Campus Ministers celebrated alongside their peers. Under the joyful direction of our Director of Music, Jeffrey Bonilla, Saint Monica was blessed to help lead the day, with our Mariners taking the stage to perform, moderate and guide fellow students in prayer. Centered on the theme, “Real Love Carries the Cross,” Youth Day invited participants to reflect on love as a daily, sacrificial choice.

The following day, our Lower School faculty and staff continued that spirit of renewal at the 2026 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. They gained powerful inspiration to bring back to our classrooms.

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Catholic Schools Week Traditions Continue
Catholic Schools Week Traditions Continue

To kick off Catholic Schools Week (CSW) 2026, Saint Monica Preparatory students and families shared personal reflections at all weekend Masses, offering a meaningful glimpse into how faith, learning and community shape the Mariner experience. Julia Parra ’26 shared, “This school gave me a community where I felt safe enough to grow, brave enough to speak, and supported enough to be myself.” Look back at all of the CSW reflections here.

The week also offered a beautiful reminder of what makes a Catholic education at Saint Monica so special — faith lived joyfully through service and community. Our students stepped beyond the classroom to express gratitude to local organizations, while Fr. Eusebio visited Theology classes, reflecting on his call to serve.

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