THE WORLD NEEDS EXEMPLARY YOUNG MEN.
At Cathedral School for Boys, we believe that raising leaders begins with understanding how boys truly learn and grow. That’s why we’ve created a school that sees education through their eyes: active, engaging, and filled with purpose. Here, boys develop the intellect, character, and leadership skills needed not only to succeed but also to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond. We don’t just teach; we mentor, challenge, and inspire. In this environment, boys flourish as their strengths are celebrated, their potential is nurtured, and their growth is guided toward becoming the thoughtful, courageous leaders our world so deeply needs.
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THE WORLD NEEDS HANDS-ON PROBLEM SOLVERS.
At Cathedral School for Boys, your son won’t be a passive observer. Our classes—intentionally designed to be kinetic, collaborative, and driven by students’ questions— come alive with action and purpose. This is how boys learn best. We integrate movement throughout the day to help them stay focused, engaged, and ready to absorb what they’re learning. Whether they’re conducting hands- on experiments, working on group projects, or exploring San Francisco as their classroom, Cathedral boys are active participants in their education, building the confidence and skills they’ll need for life.
And while hands-on learning is essential, boys also need to feel a sense of connection—to one another, to their community, and to the world beyond. At Cathedral, every boy is known and valued. With an average student–teacher ratio of 1:12, our intentionally small scale allows educators to form deep, meaningful relationships with each student, modeling the empathy, respect, and compassion that define our culture. Weekly gatherings create space for reflection and belonging, where boys listen and speak from the heart. Relationships also deepen through our Big Brother / Little Brother Program, Advisory Program, and service-learning partnerships, all of which foster connections that extend far beyond the classroom.
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THE WORLD NEEDS BOYS LIKE CHRIS. Our international language and service programs often intersect in meaningful ways. Take Chris, a middle schooler at Cathedral who especially loved service- learning projects that took him off campus and into the wider community. For one recent project, he was paired with a fourth grade student at a local elementary school who spoke Mandarin as his first language and was struggling to communicate in English. Chris had been studying Mandarin at Cathedral but wasn’t yet confident speaking it. Still, he realized that to truly support his partner, he needed to step out of his comfort zone and try. As they worked together, the two boys formed a meaningful connection, showing how Cathedral prepares students to build relationships rooted in empathy, courage, and purpose. “It felt good to help him,” Chris said. “But honestly, I learned just as much from him.”
I love Cathedral. Every day is a new challenge. – ARJUN, 3 RD GRADE
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SCHOLARS OF STRONG MORAL CHARACTER. THE WORLD NEEDS
Cathedral challenged me, and that’s what gave me the curiosity, confidence, and purpose to become the man I am today. – BILL BENNINGTON ‘79
At Cathedral School for Boys, we don’t separate academic excellence from character development; they’re interwoven into every learning experience. While we strive to provide the finest K–8 academic experience for boys anywhere, we also recognize that what they do with what they’ve learned matters just as much. As your son sharpens his thinking skills, he also builds strong values, learning to lead with purpose and integrity. That’s why rigorous academics are inseparable from our values-based approach. Our program prepares your son not only for success at the high school of his choice, but also for a life of purpose, shaping him into a young man who makes a difference.
BUILD INTELLECT AND CHARACTER Every educational decision at Cathedral is shaped by our Portrait of a Graduate, a vision for the habits, skills, and values each student carries with him beyond our walls. This framework reflects our deep commitment to scholarship, leadership, and character, qualities we believe are essential to developing the exemplary young men our world needs. Cathedral graduates think critically, communicate effectively, and act with integrity in all they do. They’re prepared to lead not through dominance, but through service, empathy, and moral courage. CULTIVATE THOUGHTFUL COMMUNICATION Through our Essential Studies curriculum, your son will develop strong reading, writing, and public speaking abilities. This program builds the foundational tools every young man needs to thrive academically and engage meaningfully with the world around him. He’ll learn to analyze complex ideas, craft compelling arguments, and express himself with clarity and confidence. These capabilities will prepare him to navigate academic challenges with purpose and to communicate with insight, conviction, and care.
TRANSFORM IDEAS INTO REAL SOLUTIONS Boys learn differently, and we’ve built our entire academic approach around that fundamental truth. At Cathedral, students don’t just study science and technology; they experience them firsthand. Through hands-on projects in coding, robotics, and engineering, your son will sharpen his critical thinking while discovering the joy of innovation. From hydroponics to solar-powered vehicles, our STEM program fosters collaboration, inspires problem solving, and brings abstract concepts to life. CONNECT ACROSS CULTURES AND BELIEFS Understanding diverse perspectives is essential to becoming a resilient, compassionate, and thoughtful adult. At Cathedral, our commitment to social justice and service invites students to explore politics, history, and the human experience through inquiry, proximity, and respect. Your son will learn to think critically and empathize with others, thereby developing the insight and compassion needed to navigate an increasingly complex, multicultural world.
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THE WORLD NEEDS BOYS WHO SHOW UP AND ENGAGE. Academic rigor is essential, but at Cathedral, developing the whole child is just as vital. Your son will discover his strengths through athletics, clubs, outdoor education, and leadership opportunities that challenge and inspire him. Each experience is intentionally designed to build character, foster teamwork, and grow lasting confidence.
EXPLORE, CREATE, GROW Cathedral’s rich array of clubs and visual and performing arts opportunities helps boys find their voices and uncover hidden talents. From Chess Club and Debate Club to Student Leadership Council and the International Math Olympiad, these activities build confidence in a supportive environment. Meanwhile, our Performing Arts program engages every student through annual drama performances, musical training, and creative expression that enriches life far beyond the classroom.
DEVELOP TEAMWORK AND RESILIENCE Cathedral School for Boys’ Athletics program nurtures growth in mind, body, and spirit. From Kindergarten through Grade 8, we offer organized sports at every grade and ability level, from first-time players to those with collegiate aspirations. Your son can participate in soccer, basketball, baseball, sailing, track and field, cross-country, and more. Our inclusive, no-cut policy ensures that every boy who wishes to play can do so at a level that suits him. Along the way, boys learn to win and lose with dignity, value teamwork, build a strong work ethic, and respond to challenges with resilience, all while competing against other independent schools throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY AND TOMORROW At Cathedral School for Boys, leadership isn’t reserved for special occasions; it’s a daily practice woven into outdoor education, service, and travel. Boys engage in community projects that build compassion and purpose, while Upper School students develop teamwork and resilience through distinctive programs like our Sea Hawks Sailing experience and NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). Intersession offers weeklong classes across the Bay Area, allowing boys to explore new interests beyond the traditional curriculum. For eighth graders, international immersion trips serve as capstone experiences where they apply language skills and live out their commitment to service in a global context. Past destinations have included China, Taiwan, Guatemala, Peru, and Puerto Rico.
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THE WORLD NEEDS BOYS PREPARED FOR WHAT COMES NEXT.
DEVELOP SKILLS THAT LAST A LIFETIME Your son will build foundational academic skills through rigorous literary and mathematical analysis, decoding complex texts and problems, considering multiple perspectives, and crafting compelling arguments. In STEM, he’ll strengthen both mathematical reasoning and critical thinking, learning to approach challenges systematically and think creatively, with skills that extend far beyond the classroom. At Cathedral, communication is just as central. Boys are expected to speak publicly in class, in Chapel, and in our annual Field Foundation Public Speaking Competition. Your son will learn to organize his thoughts persuasively, cultivate conviction, and express himself with clarity and purpose.
These experiences prepare him to become a young man who inspires others through his words and his character.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP WITH CONFIDENCE Our high school placement process is without parallel: 100% of Cathedral students are admitted to their first- or second-choice school. Starting in Grade 7, families receive the kind of personalized guidance only a small school can provide, with every essential step covered. From building strong interview skills to developing time-management habits, we work closely with each boy to help him find the high school that’s right for him. It’s a process we’ve refined over decades, and the results speak for themselves: Cathedral graduates go on to attend top independent day and boarding schools in the Bay Area and across the country.
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THE WORLD NEEDS A TAILORED APPROACH TO LEARNING. What makes Cathedral School for Boys different? It’s our distinctive blend of traditional values and forward- thinking academics, an approach that prepares young men for the challenges of tomorrow. Through thoughtfully designed programs and real-world learning, your son will grow intellectually and personally while building lasting connections within a community that has shaped boys’ lives for more than 65 years. At Cathedral, your son will benefit from a rich variety of programs and experiences like those listed here, and many more.
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Small School, Big Impact: Approximately 264 students total, allowing for small class sizes and personalized attention. XEd (Experiential Education): Learning beyond the classroom, using San Francisco as an urban laboratory for discovery. Intersession: Weeklong deep dives into topics beyond the traditional curriculum for students in Grades 5–7. International Language Immersion: Ten-day travel experiences in Spanish- or Mandarin-speaking countries for Grade 8. (In 2024, students visited Costa Rica and Taiwan; in 2025, Peru and Taiwan.) Interscholastic Athletics: Baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, sailing, soccer, track and field, and volleyball. Clubs & Extracurriculars: Community service, chess, debate, International Mathematical Olympiad, Student Leadership Council, band, choir, robotics, and more. Advisory Program: Each day, small-group check-ins with faculty mentors who offer guidance, nurture connection, and support student success. Service Learning: Meaningful community projects that build leadership, civic engagement, and purpose. Big Brother / Little Brother: Grade 4 and Grade 8 students mentor kindergartners, cultivating leadership, responsibility, and school spirit. Chapel Gatherings: Regular assemblies in Grace Cathedral for reflection, community building, performances, and public-speaking practice.
Inclusive Community: Welcoming to families of all faiths and backgrounds, while grounded in Episcopal values.
Grace Cathedral Partnership: Unique access to the Cathedral’s labyrinths, sacred spaces, service opportunities, and world-class speakers and performances.
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At Cathedral School for Boys, our approach is symbolized by the labyrinth, a thoughtful, reflective path that offers both structure and space for discovery. This purposeful journey is designed to develop boys into scholars, leaders, and young men of strong character. THE WORLD NEEDS INTENTIONAL JOURNEYS.
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READY TO BEGIN?
1. VISIT OUR ADMISSIONS PAGE Learn how we challenge minds, build character, and create belonging, one boy at a time. cathedralschool.net/admissions 2. REGISTER ON RAVENNA This is your hub for scheduling a tour, submitting your application, and staying in the loop. ravenna-hub.com
Once you’ve registered, we’ll guide you through the rest: tours, interviews, visit days, and more.
Have questions? We’re here to help. 415.771.6600 admissions@cathedralschool.net
MISSION Cathedral School for Boys cultivates exemplary young men who are scholars and leaders of strong moral character. Our approach is guided by a commitment to intellectual inquiry and rigor and our Episcopal values of community, integrity, and service to others.
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