A Milestone Celebration for the School & Alumni

By Zach Rosen | April 14, 2026

Notre Dame School will mark its 100th anniversary this spring, celebrating a century of Catholic education in Santa Barbara with a commemorative Mass and evening gala. The milestone reflects both the longevity of the Micheltorena Street campus, and its continued role in serving local families across generations. Set for May 29, the centennial event is expected to draw alumni, educators, and community members for a reflection on the school’s past and a look toward its future.

Founded in 1926, the campus that now houses Notre Dame School has been home to three Catholic institutions over the past century: Santa Barbara Catholic High School, Dolores School, and Notre Dame itself. Together, they form a continuous educational lineage that has shaped thousands of students in the region. While the names have changed, the mission has remained consistent – providing accessible, faith-based education to Santa Barbara families.

That accessibility has long been central to the school’s identity. Notre Dame has historically served working-class families, offering one of the lowest tuition rates in the area in order to keep its doors open to a broad cross-section of the community. As Director of Advancement and Engagement Naz Madaen described, the school’s families are the people who form the backbone of Santa Barbara – parents balancing multiple jobs, committed to giving their children a strong educational foundation rooted in Catholic values.

Over the decades, students from these schools have gone on to make lasting contributions both locally and beyond. Alumni include individuals who have entered the clergy and risen to positions of leadership within the Church, including bishops, as well as those who have built businesses (think Borgatello family), served in public office (e.g. Assemblymember Gregg Hart), and remained deeply engaged in civic life. Many maintain a lasting connection to the campus and building, even as the schools have changed.

The centennial celebration is designed in part to reconnect those threads. Organizers have reached out to alumni from all three schools, including those who attended Santa Barbara Catholic High School and Dolores School before their closures, inviting them back to a place that, for many, still represents a formative chapter in their lives. The result is expected to be a convergence of generations, united by a shared educational foundation. Madaen said that Notre Dame remains dedicated to honoring all of the alumni and maintaining ties so that the school still feels like a home.

The May 29 celebration will begin with a commemorative Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church presided over by Bishop Sławomir Szkredka, followed by a formal gala held in the Notre Dame School auditorium. The evening will feature dinner, live music, and a fundraising component aimed at sustaining the school’s mission for future students.

At the center of the gala will be a tribute to Montecitans Nick and Patty Weber, longtime supporters of Notre Dame School whose philanthropy has played a significant role in maintaining and strengthening the institution. According to Madaen, the Webers’ involvement reflects a simple but powerful motivation: a willingness to step in when support was needed.

“They didn’t have a direct connection to the school,” Madaen noted. “They just heard there was a need and chose to help.”

That spirit of giving has had a tangible impact. In a school where tuition does not fully cover the cost of educating each student, ongoing community support is essential. Events like the Centennial Gala, underwritten by Farmers & Merchants Bank, help bridge that gap, ensuring that Notre Dame can continue to serve families who might not otherwise have access to private education.

The gala, while marking 100 years, ultimately points forward, reinforcing the school’s commitment to remain a place where education, faith, and community continue to intersect for generations to come.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/NotreDameCentennial to make a reservation