With the 2024-2025 school year in full swing, Noozhawk’s Private & Independent School Guide is here to make planning your child’s education easier. This all-inclusive guide provides essential details on school options throughout Santa Barbara County.
To assist parents in making well-informed decisions, Noozhawk has gathered exclusive interviews with representatives from local private and independent schools, ensuring the guide is filled with valuable insights and the latest information.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Emily Diaz, Director of Admissions at Bishop Garcia Diego High School to learn more about what their school has to offer.
Bishop Garcia Diego High School
Question: What is the educational philosophy of your school?
Answer: The educational program at Bishop Diego is committed to fostering academic excellence, developing exceptional character, and promoting positive personal growth through self-discovery experiences.
We fulfill our mission through a broad range of high quality, college preparatory academic programming, co-curricular experiences including class retreats and small group bonding opportunities, and athletics, to name a few.
We guide students toward becoming young men and women well prepared for the demands of college, university, and positive global citizenship.
At Bishop, we support students in developing habits of heart and mind within our three core-values; Respect, Perseverance, and Compassion.
Q: Can you describe the unique aspects of your curriculum?
A: While there are many unique aspects to Bishop’s curriculum, in particular we are thrilled to launch “J-Term” in 2025. Over the two weeks following our return from Christmas break, students will have the opportunity to take enrichment courses for the joy and love of learning including pilates, cooking, photography, surfing, and financial literacy, just to name a few.
Students may also choose to attend a college tour and juniors and seniors may participate in off-campus internships, extended service projects, and/or study abroad in Germany. J-Term will provide our students with the opportunity to experience learning in an innovative and exciting way!
Q: What is the average class size, and how does it impact the learning experience?
A: The average class size at Bishop is 14. The small classes increase teacher-student interactions, contribute to an environment more conducive to learning, and help to build stronger relationships.
When teachers have fewer students, they can spend more time planning engaging lessons, give each individual greater attention, and provide more thorough feedback. Ultimately, this increases student growth, academically, socially, and emotionally.
Q: What are the qualifications and experience levels of your teaching staff?
A: Over 75% of Bishop Diego’s teachers have advanced degrees.
Bishop seeks to hire mission appropriate, highly qualified and experienced professionals with a demonstrated passion for their field. We look for those whose philosophy of education matches our mission to educate the whole person, with an academic emphasis on teaching critical thinking skills in order to equip students with the ability to succeed in college and in the workforce.
Bishop utilizes its community network to find and recruit teachers as well as posting positions to respected industry websites (EdJoin, CAIS, etc.) and post-graduate education programs.
Q: What is your admissions process, and what qualities do you look for in prospective students?
A: Bishop Diego is a Catholic high school that welcomes students of all faiths. A Bishop Diego student is one who desires to grow academically, personally, and spiritually and demonstrates respect for others and a commitment to their community.
Such a student values the integration of personal growth and learning, participates actively in school life, contributes positively to school culture, and strives to lead by example.
Applications for the following school year opened on October 1, 2024 and are due by January 31, 2025. The application process includes an online form, submission of grades and teacher recommendations, a personal interview and an entrance placement test. Admissions decisions will be released on the first Friday in March.
Q: Can you explain the tuition and fees structure? Are there any scholarships or financial aid options available?
A: While the cost to educate a student at Bishop is $26,000, we have a generous financial aid program designed to support families at all income levels. Close to 70% of our student body receives some level of financial assistance via our Personalized Tuition Model.
The application for the Personalized Tuition Model is due at the same time as the application for admission, no later than January 31, 2025 for priority consideration. There are also a number of Independent Scholarship Awards. Criteria for these varies, but all students are required to write an essay to be considered.
Details can be found on our website on the Independent Scholarship Awards page. Deadline to apply is January 17, 2025.
Q: How does your school support students with special learning needs or exceptional talents?
A: Bishop Diego High School is committed to meeting the individual academic needs of all students. Because of this commitment, students with documented learning disabilities are eligible to receive services under the direction of the Resource Specialist.
The resource program is designed to provide minor adjustments to qualified students. Through this program, students are offered the tools and adjustments necessary for academic success.
Students who demonstrate a high level of academic excellence and have maximized the honors and AP offerings at Bishop are encouraged to take additional courses through online or off campus approved programs.
Those who demonstrate exceptional leadership are encouraged to be part of various on-campus leadership programs such as Bishop Ambassadors, Campus Ministry, Associated Student Body, etc., and are provided opportunities to attend off campus leadership conferences and workshops.
In 2024, Bishop Diego had a 90% AP exam pass rate.
Q: What extracurricular activities, sports, and clubs are available to students?
A: Bishop Diego students are encouraged to be involved members of the school community by participating in a variety of clubs and activities. The programs and extracurriculars offered support students in developing leadership skills that will enable them to be of service to others and to adopt productive roles in their families and communities.
(Bishop Diego High School photo)
Bishop’s legacy of athletic excellence is characterized by an emphasis on the physical, psychological, and social benefits gained from participation. We offer approximately 21 different sports and all students, regardless of experience or ability, are invited to participate.
During the 2024-25 school year, Bishop is offering membership in over 15 student run clubs. These include the Art 4 Good Club, Debate Club, Pickleball Club, Environmental Awareness Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Film Club, Surf Club, and more.
Bishop’s STEAM society is open to all students with an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math who want to take their passion for these subjects to the next level. Members are able to enhance their understanding and mastery of these disciplines through a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum of 20+ STEAM-related courses.
In addition, Bishop offers performing arts opportunities, Campus Ministry, Emerging Leaders, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, National Art Honor Society, Music Ministry, Mock Trial, Peer Tutoring and more.
Q: How does your school incorporate technology into the learning environment?
A: Bishop is a one-to-one school where every student is provided an iPad with all necessary apps and digital materials. Every classroom is outfitted with wireless connectivity that allows individuals to share their desktop, work collaboratively with the Google suite of applications, and have immediate access to all assignments, grades, etc.
The campus boasts a complete television studio and multiple sound recording booths for students interested in media production. Regardless of the subject area, teachers and students leverage technology to enhance learning.
Q: What steps does your school take to foster a sense of community among students and families?
A: At Bishop, we create opportunities for students to connect both inside and outside the classroom. Through fostering collaboration in classroom projects, as well as encouraging participation in extracurriculars such as sports, clubs, and social events, we support students in building and strengthening relationships.
The retreat program at Bishop Diego is designed to help students develop their relationship with God, self, and others. Retreats are fun, interactive, and reflective. Our goal is for students to graduate from Bishop Diego knowing they are loved and empowered to be the difference as they journey into the next phase of their lives.
Additionally, in 2024-25, Bishop is piloting “Emerging Leaders” and Advisory for all grade levels, through the BeBold One Trusted Adult program. Emerging Leaders is designed to pair upper level students with in-coming freshmen, allowing our seniors to develop leadership experience while mentoring our newest Cardinals.
Advisory will provide opportunities for all students to develop soft-skills in relationship and confidence building while also working towards understanding what the future might hold!
In addition to supporting school activities, our Parent Advisory Board and Cardinal Club foster community among families through a variety of social events.
Q: How does your school ensure the safety and well-being of students on campus?
A: Bishop Diego is a closed campus. During the school day, all visitors to the school enter and exit through the front office. All other access points to and from campus are secured.
In the summer of 2023, the security system was updated with brand new cameras that are monitored by front office staff. A full time personal counselor is onsite to support students with social emotional needs throughout the school day.
To learn more about Bishop Garcia Diego High School click here.