Palma School is a grade 6–12 Catholic school located in Salinas, California, United States. Located in the Diocese of Monterey, its motto is "Palma Merenti," which translates in English as "Palms to the Victor."

Palma School
Address
Map
919 Iverson Street

, ,
93901

United States
Coordinates36°39′57″N 121°39′51″W / 36.66583°N 121.66417°W / 36.66583; -121.66417
Information
TypePrivate
Motto"Palma Merenti"
(Palms to the Victor)
Religious affiliation(s)Catholic;
Congregation of Christian Brothers
Established1951
PresidentChris Dalman
ChaplainFr. Roy Shelly
Grades612
GenderCoeducational
Enrollment632 (2008)
Color(s)Red and Gold   
Athletics conferenceCIF – Central Coast Section
Team nameChieftains
AccreditationWASC[1] WCEA[2]
Tuition$16,000.00 (High School), $9,350 (Junior High)
PrincipalDavid Sullivan
Vice PrincipalRobert Viarengo
Dean of StudentsNick Noroian, Samantha Salter
Technology DirectorDavid Cunha
Admissions DirectorRaul Rico
Websitehttp://palmaschool.org

History

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Palma School was founded in 1951 through the efforts of Monsignor Thomas J. Earley and dedicated laypeople, including Joseph Piini and Lloyd Stolich. Their collective dream of Catholic secondary education was realized in September, 1951 when Palma opened its doors to boys and girls as a co-institutional school. The boys were instructed and have continued to be instructed by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. The Christian Brothers, known internationally as Catholic educators, were founded in 1802 by Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice, who was beatified in Rome on October 6, 1996; his feast day has been set as May 5. His goal was to give the youth of his time a unique Christian education. Palma continued to operate as a co-institutional school for thirteen years when, in 1964, a separate facility for girls was opened a few blocks away. At that time, Palma became an all-boys school, and the Christian Brothers assumed administration of the entire facility. A chapel was built in the front of the school in 2003. It has been named the Brother Edmund Rice Chapel. The students and staff use it to enhance the religious education program at Palma School. On May 19, 2022, a building dedication ceremony honoring Brother Patrick Dunne took place, declaring the former multipurpose building "Brother Dunne Hall". In 2024 Palma returned to its co-institutional roots and began accepting girls beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.

Palma is located one block away from its sister school, Notre Dame High School, a Catholic all-girls school.

Sports

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The football and basketball programs have won state titles. The 2023 football team's CIF Division 4-A state championship was the first for a Monterey County high school since the CIF State Football Playoffs were created in 2006. Palma defeated Mission Oak (Tulare) 42-19 in the state title game in Pasadena. The 1992 basketball team's CIF Division IV state championship was a first for a Monterey County high school since the CIF State Basketball Playoffs were established in 1981. Palma defeated Lincoln (San Diego) 55-54 in the state title game in Sacramento. The football, basketball and cross country teams have won NorCal and Central Coast Section championships. The golf program has risen, garnering a fourth-place finish in the 2008 CIF State Championships.

Football Championships

  • CAA: 1959, 1961,1962, 1963, 1965
  • MTAL: 1970, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • MBL: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
  • T-CAL: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
  • Pacific Coast-Gabilan: 2018, 2022
  • Central Coast Section: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2011, 2023 (Division III)
  • NorCal: 2023 (Division 4-A)
  • State: 2023 (Division 4-A)
  • State (rankings based): 1992 (Division III)

Basketball Championships

  • CAA: 1964, 1967
  • MTAL: 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998
  • MBL: 1986, 1987, 2000, 2015, 2016, 2017
  • T-CAL: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
  • Pacific Coast-Gabilan: 2020
  • Central Coast Section: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2007
  • Central Coast Section, Region IV: 1974
  • NorCal: 1992 (Division IV), 1993 (Division IV), 2016 (Division IV)
  • State: 1992 (Division IV)

Notable alumni

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See also

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Notes and references

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  1. ^ WASC-ACS. "WASC-Accrediting Commission for Schools". Archived from the original on 2009-08-14. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  2. ^ "Home". WCEA.
  3. ^ "Heat Sign Jamaree Bouyea". NBA.com.
  4. ^ "NBA: Jamaree Bouyea signs 10-day contract with Wizards". 3 March 2023.
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