Cathedral Catholic High School

Gazing up at Cathedral Catholic High School, ever wonder about the stories within its walls? Cathedral Catholic High School isn’t just a school. It’s a living testament to San Diego’s educational heritage. The school we see today, opened in 2005 in Carmel Valley, carries the torch from its predecessor, University of San Diego High School, affectionately known as “Uni.” Uni, established in 1957, resided in Linda Vista, offering boys a Catholic college preparatory education. The story takes a turn in 1970 when Uni merged with Cathedral Girls High School. This downtown girls’ school, dating back to 1939, joined forces with Uni, creating a co-ed institution. The first co-ed graduating class marked a new chapter in 1971. The school transitioned again. In 2005, the move to Carmel Valley brought a name change: Cathedral Catholic High School. Yet, the spirit of “Uni” lives on. Traditions continue, including the Dons mascot, a symbol of pride carried over through the years. The school’s publications, the Presidio yearbook, El Cid newspaper, and El Sol art/literary magazine, retain their names, connecting past and present. Even physical relics, like the statue of Mary from the old quad, found new homes on the Carmel Valley campus. Cathedral Catholic High School thrives today, the largest high school in the San Diego Diocese, with around 1600 students. The 54-acre campus resembles a Tuscan village, a beautiful setting for the continuation of a rich history. This school isn’t just bricks and mortar. It represents decades of education, growth, and the enduring spirit of the Dons, “Once a Don, Always a Don.”