About

The Palma Scholars Program launched in the fall of 2011 and was named to honor 19-year school head Lark Palma. This unique program's goals are to bring a cadre of academically accomplished students with notable potential in leadership, athletics, and service to the Catlin Gabel Upper School while also spurring educational innovation within the school.

As Palma Scholars, students in the program belong to a cohort of high-achieving, community-minded peers under the mentorship of a master teacher. While eligible to take all courses offered at Catlin Gabel, they are enrolled annually in the dynamic Palma Seminar, an interdisciplinary course promoting real world projects, and otherwise freed from the school's graduation requirements. This affords Palma Scholars a special opportunity to customize their educational roadmap. Additional programming - described in greater detail under the "Program" tab above - centers on leadership development, summer enrichment retreats, and community engagement initiatives.

Students selected as Palma Scholars receive financial assistance to defray the cost of attendance at Catlin Gabel and need-based aid is available for Palma Scholars who require further financial support. Recognition as a Palma Scholar and help in communicating about this program as part of the college process are also tenets of the program.

For information on applying to the Palma Scholars Program, please see the Applying to PSP page or email palmascholars@catlin.edu.