Why Bishop

List of 9 items.

• A Community that is Family

  At Bishop, we are a family. Each member is valued for their unique contributions and traits. Our 2023 Valedictorian put it best:
  
  

   "I walked into Bishop as a shy freshman knowing very few people and intimated by the overall idea of high school, but 4 years later with much more confidence in myself and surrounded by many new friends and teachers, I couldn’t have imagined going anywhere else. Bishop Diego is an indescribable community that fuels the mind, body, and spirit of each individual and develops all students into respectful and compassionate young adults. Bishop truly is one big family."
  
  

  -Lily Simolon

  Class of 2023 Valedictorian

  University of Notre Dame 

  Majoring in Film

• Inclusive Faith Community

  At Bishop, a Catholic school welcoming all faiths, students are invited to discover the spiritual, personal, and intellectual knowledge needed to navigate today's world. The youth of today face unique challenges. Through the development of each student’s faith and the integration of our core values of Respect, Perseverance, and Compassion, we equip Bishop students to meet these challenges with optimism and confidence. 

  
  

  “Each day at Bishop you are reminded how special you are and how much God loves you.”

  - 10th Grade Student

• The Value of Each Individual

  At Bishop, no student is a number. Each and every Cardinal is known by the faculty, staff and administration. Students who feel loved and supported are students who excel both in and outside of the classroom.
  
  "I always have felt like a number or a grain of sand in an ocean of people but at Bishop everyone is valued, recognized and loved for their own unique qualities and abilities." 

  - 11th Grade Student

• Personalized Academics

  “Rigorous” looks different for every child. For some students, it's a college preparatory curriculum. For others, it’s a full slate of Honors and AP classes. Whatever the case, students at Bishop can tailor their course load to meet their desired level of academic rigor. Students are not “tracked” to specific levels or programs. Each year, in conjunction with parents, Bishop's academic counseling department offers students a fresh opportunity to evaluate their academic pathway and chart their course forward. 

  
  

  "It doesn’t matter what life looked like before Bishop, once you step foot on campus everyone is there to guide you to find what great possibilities your future can hold."

  - 10th Grade Student 

• Innovative Programs

  At Bishop, we continually strive to expand the variety of programs and experiences we offer our students. We are thrilled to launch "J-Term" in 2025. During two weeks in January, students will have the opportunity to take enrichment courses (yoga, cooking, and financial literacy, to name a few), participate in internships or extended service projects, and/or travel! Additionally, in 2024-25, Bishop will pilot the "Emerging Leaders" program designed to provide upper level students with leadership experience, while mentoring our newest Cardinals. We look forward to partnering with the “Lights Up” Teen Theater Conservancy to expand performing arts activities for our students. New course offerings will include Mock Trial, Journalism, Sports Medicine and more.
  
  

  These exciting developments will join the popular programming that Bishop continues to offer. Students with an interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and math take their passion for these subjects to the next level as members of the STEAM Society. Our Gherini Center for Multimedia Arts & Technology offers hands-on multimedia & production experiences in state-of-the-art television and sound studios. Bishop’s dynamic art department offers students the opportunity to join the National Art Honor Society and showcase their work in the wider community. 
  
  

  At Bishop, we are committed to continuing to grow and develop relevant programming for all students!

• Comprehensive College Preparation

  The college-going culture permeates all aspects of life at Bishop Diego, where we ensure that every student graduates four year college eligible. 

  
  

  A few highlights:

  • 100% college acceptance rate
  • Over $6.1 million earned by the 64 students of the Class of 2023 in merit awards & scholarships 
  • UC and highly selective school acceptance rates above local and national averages

  Bishop's college counseling department partners with students and families to identify colleges that are the right fit for the varying needs, interests, and goals of each individual. The journey starts immediately freshman year with annual college-planning workshops for students and parents covering a broad range of topics including career & college interest inventories, college planning, the University of California & the California State University system, elite college admissions and funding higher education. Beginning in junior year and continuing through senior year, students and parents meet individually with our college counselor to develop their college list and start planning for and completing applications. Bishop's college counseling department partners with families through each stage of the process, ensuring that a Bishop graduate matriculates to the right college or university - a place where they can continue to grow, thrive, and be the difference.
  
  

  "The college prep at Bishop is fantastic. From applications to essays to letters of recommendation, students are supported at every step of the process. The next thing I know, they’re getting acceptances.” - Class of 2023 Parent
  
  

  “Bishop Diego High School helped my two sons to become the best version of themselves. Because of Bishop’s academic excellence and college counseling program, both received merit offers from competitive universities. Enrolling them at Bishop was the best decision, and it literally paid off.“ - Class of 2017 & 2019 Parent

• Spirited Athletics

  At Bishop Diego, we offer the unique opportunity for all students to participate on competitive athletic teams, no matter their skill level or experience. Bishop’s no-cut policy means that it’s not whether or not a student makes a team, but at what level they will play. Because of this, many of our students take advantage of playing multiple sports throughout the year. Through Bishop's three Core Values of Respect, Perseverance, and Compassion, we develop the entire individual, not simply the athlete. It is our goal to ensure that these Core Values create a solid foundation for Bishop Diego graduates to build upon.
  
  

  "Bishop Diego High School’s athletic program has not only helped me develop as a player, but also as a teammate and leader, and taught me such qualities that I can take into the community." -10th Grade Student

• Safe Environment

  At Bishop, we take student safety very seriously. As a closed campus, anyone entering or leaving during the school day must go through the main office. Thanks to a grant from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Bishop Diego boasts a robust campus security system that includes 35 cameras and multiple monitors for viewing.  This state-of-the-art monitoring system provides comprehensive views of the facility, including all entry/exit points.  In addition, the grant included installation of a new phone and paging system which ensures clear communication throughout the entire campus in the case of an emergency.  These measures allow us to feel confident that our campus is a safe home away from home for our students. 
  
  "My wife and I feel very secure and confident about our daughter’s physical and emotional safety at BIshop Diego.  The grounds are gated and monitored.  And all the faculty feel responsible for her safety and care, and indeed have strong, personal relationships with all the students. Our daughter is thriving in Bishop’s safe and supportive environment."

  - Current Parent

• Affordable Tuition

  Bishop’s Personalized Tuition Model ensures that a quality education is affordable for families at all income levels. 80% of our student body receives either a subsidy or independent scholarship award. Visit the Affording Bishop page of our website for more information. 

  
  

  “I never imagined private school would be possible for my family. But Bishop worked with us to find a tuition rate that fits in our budget.”

  - Current Parent