Palma School

Palma School was founded in 1951 through the efforts of Monsignor Thomas J. Earley and dedicated laymen, among them the late Joseph Piini and the late Lloyd Stolich. Their collective dream of Catholic secondary education was realized in September, 1951 when Palma opened its doors to boys and girls as a co-institutional school. The boys were instructed and have continued to be instructed by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. The Christian Brothers, known internationally as Catholic educators, were founded in 1802 by Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice who was beatified in Rome on October 6, 1996; his feast day has been set as May 5. His goal was to give the youth of his time a unique Christian education. Palma continued to be operated as a co-institutional school for thirteen years when, in 1964, a separate facility for girls was opened a few blocks away. At that time, Palma became an all-boys school and the Christian Brothers assumed administration of the entire facility. A chapel was built in the front of the school in 2003. It has been named the Brother Edmund Rice Chapel. It is used by the students and staff to enhance the religious education program at Palma School.

Palma is located one block away from a Catholic all-girls school, Notre Dame High School.

The football and basketball programs have won state titles. The football, basketball and cross country teams have won NorCal and/or section championships. The golf program has been on the rise, garnering a fourth-place finish in the 2008 CIF State Championship.

Football Championships

• CAA: 1959, 1961,1962, 1963, 1965
• MTAL: 1970, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
• MBL: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
• T-CAL: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
• Pacific Coast-Gabilan: 2018
• Central Coast Section: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2011
• State, D-III: 1992

Basketball Championships

• CAA: 1964, 1967
• MTAL: 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998
• MBL: 1986, 1987, 2000, 2015, 2016, 2017
• T-CAL: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
• Pacific Coast-Gabilan: 2020
• Central Coast Section: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2007
• Central Coast Section, Region IV: 1974
• NorCal: 1992, 1993, 2016
• State: 1992

• Jonathan Bomarito—Auto racing
• Chris Dalman—Class of 1988, moved on to Stanford University and was a guard and center for the San Francisco 49ers. Coach with the Atlanta Falcons in 2006 and Stanford. In 2009, returned to working and coaching football at Palma School.
• David Esquer—Class of 1983, head coach of the Stanford Cardinal baseball team. He previously served as head coach of the California Golden Bears baseball team from 2000-2017.
• David Fales—Miami Dolphins QB
• Tom Fanoe—Class of 1964, past president of Joe Boxer, noted alumnus of Haas School of Business
• Michael Gasperson—American football wide receiver
• Orlando Johnson—Pro basketball player with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans
• Peter Lauritson—TV producer/director, Star Trek
• Brian Reader—Arena Football League quarterback, Director of Football Operations at University of Idaho
• E.J. Rowland—Pro basketball player, Bulgarian National team
• Elliot Vallejo—Class of 2002, signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals after starting 32 straight games at OT for UC Davis. Retired from NFL in 2010.

• Edmund Ignatius Rice
• List of Christian Brothers school alumni

• Palma School