SAN DIEGO — Catholic school students across the diocese are yearning for the freedom of summer vacation.
But for eighth- and 12th-graders, a major milestone comes first: graduation.
Elijah Bonde, associate superintendent of the Diocese of San Diego’s Catholic schools, said that 1,059 eighth-graders and 1,202 high school seniors are expected to graduate from local Catholic schools this year.
At the elementary school level, the first graduation ceremony of the year will be held on May 22 at Mater Dei Catholic Elementary School in Chula Vista. The last will be on June 13 at St. Patrick School in Carlsbad. Especially popular graduation dates seem to be June 5, when at least nine schools are slated to hold ceremonies, and May 29, when at least eight will be held.
High school seniors will graduate on May 21 at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, May 22 at both St. Augustine and Mater Dei Catholic high schools, May 29 at both Cristo Rey San Diego and Vincent Memorial Catholic high schools, and May 30 at Cathedral Catholic High School.
After an approximately two-month summer break, Catholic elementary school students will return for the 2026-2027 academic year sometime between Aug. 17 and Aug. 26, with the diocesan Office for Schools recommending Monday, Aug. 17, as the first day of school.
If students are tempted to complain that their vacation is too short, they might consider that their principals and teachers will be heading back to work even earlier. The Office for Schools is continuing its practice of holding various workshops and professional learning opportunities during the summer.
All Catholic elementary school principals will be taking part in a two-day Leadership Summit, Aug. 3 to 4; preschool directors will attend a meeting Aug. 5; middle and high school religion teachers will attend a Faith & Science Conference on Aug. 6; and first-year Catholic school teachers will begin the Institute for Novice Catholic Teachers program on Aug. 12.
