Who We Are
Our Padres thrive in a culture of support, encouragement and motivation. Developing strength of character and a keen sense of self, boys grow into confident young men prepared for college and the changing world ahead.
Admissions
We purposefully enroll a freshman class that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We focus on an applicant's foundation, as well as his genuine desire to be an active Padre committed to the values of respect, integrity, inclusion and compassion.
Academics
Serra's exceptional college-prep curriculum inspires students to tap into their intellectual curiosity by challenging them to be critical thinkers, keen analysts and creative problem solvers, nurturing a growth mindset.
Faith & Service
Campus ministry is the beating heart of our school community. Padres of all faiths are given an opportunity to explore their unique spirituality, while also engaging in meaningful and rewarding service opportunities and social justice outreach.
Athletics
Commitment, resilience and perseverance are among the life skills our student-athletes take away from their participation in Serra's legendary athletics program, which is a source of pride and camaraderie for our entire Serra community.
Support Serra
Each new generation of Padres is blessed by the generous support of parents, alumni and friends who "pay it forward," giving unselfishly of their time, talents and financial resources. Their siempre adelante spirit helps to ensure excellence in all aspects of Padre life.
Arts
Serra's acclaimed visual and performing arts classes and programs encourage students to find their voices, unleash their talents and express their creativity in a dynamic environment led by an exceptional, experienced faculty.
Padre Life
Padre life is what happens in all the ways and places a young man travels on his journey through high school. At Serra, there are many avenues to consider, and each Padre is encouraged to explore his unique interests and talents—all the while supported by a network of people and programs focused on life balance, wellbeing and individual growth.
Summer
Your summer! Your adventure! Summer at Serra offers 10 unique programs for boys and girls ages 3-18 on our conveniently located campus.

A Teacher's Toolbox: Parts 1 - 6

Serra science teacher Dr. Tara Mann knows how to engage her students and her students love her for it. Current, real-world cases, group work, practice and real-time feedback are all a part of her teacher's toolbox.

Engaging and Assessing

In part 1, Dr. Mann reviews the types of tools Serra teachers have at their disposal to engage students. She explains the rationale for using each tool in science, how the students interact with the exercises and at which pace the lessons move.

Prior Learning Review

In part 2, Dr. Mann discusses the importance of gauging student understanding, of making sure concepts are solidly set in their minds, before moving on the the next lesson. Viewing real time work and providing immediate feedback allows her to plug holes and move on when the students are ready.

Building Knowledge Together

Brainstorming and sharing ideas provides students the ability to enhance their understanding of the material. In Part 3 Dr. Mann explains how it is better to build knowledge together, to ask questions and explore possible answers rather than listen to her give information.

Practice and Feedback

One of the biggest questions Dr. Mann receives is how do students practice/work with the concepts they are discussing in class. She takes time in part 4 to explain how working in groups, asking questions and learning from others is key to internalizing the material.

Transforming Labs

Part 5 explores the keys to engaging lab experiences. Dr. Mann provides the opportunities to manipulate data, refine hypotheses, and continue to ask questions in a scientific manner.

Critical Thinking STEM Cases

In the final installment of her six part series, Dr. Mann shares how she engages students with real world case scenarios. Students are allowed to work through examples, make decisions, and craft answers.