March '25 School Spotlight - Camino School in Orange, CA

The Camino School, a new independent K-8 Catholic School in Orange County, CA, founded on the vision of renewing Catholic culture through classical education, is dedicated to forming the whole person—intellectually, morally, physically, and spiritually. With a commitment to the classical liberal arts, the school’s mission is to guide students toward maturity, confidence, and virtue, shaping them into leaders who engage with the world with a spirit of freedom, adventure, and service. Rooted in the timeless truths of the Catholic faith, The Camino School seeks to form students who not only pursue academic excellence but also live according to the Gospel, transforming society and spreading the light of Christ.

The origins of The Camino School trace back to 2021 when three families, united by a shared vision for their children’s education, sought to establish a school grounded in classical principles. Having experienced the transformative power of classical liberal arts education, they recognized the absence of such an educational option in their own community. With a desire to cultivate an environment where their children could grow intellectually, spiritually, and morally, the founders took a bold step in founding The Camino School. Their vision was one of not just academic rigor, but also faith-filled character formation—an education that would nurture the whole child, drawing them closer to Christ through both learning and living.

In the spirit of collaboration that forms the heart of the St. John Henry Newman Institute, The Camino School draws inspiration from similar institutions that embody a commitment to academic excellence and Catholic values. The school envisions a community where both students and families grow together, nurturing the intellectual, spiritual, and moral formation of all. By aligning its mission with Newman’s vision of constant conversion, The Camino School provides an environment where students are not only equipped with the tools to pursue truth, beauty, and goodness, but are also encouraged to embrace lives of virtue and service.

A distinctive feature of The Camino School is its commitment to forming students in virtue, supported by a unique single-sex format in the upper grades. With an all-male faculty teaching boys and an all-female faculty teaching girls, the school aims to create an environment where students can fully develop their character in alignment with their natural dignity, learning from role models who exemplify the virtues they are called to embody. This approach is rooted in the belief that true education goes beyond the transmission of knowledge—it seeks to form students into virtuous individuals who will go on to shape society in Christ’s image. This is why a central part of their curriculum is memorizing and reciting poems and listening to great stories.

The school’s approach is further strengthened by a robust partnership with parents, who are not only supporters of their children’s education but active participants in the formation of their families. At The Camino School, parents are encouraged to cultivate their own growth in virtue alongside their children, creating a supportive environment where both academic and personal development are nurtured. This collaborative model reinforces the importance of the family as the primary educator and supports the school’s mission of holistic formation.

At the core of The Camino School’s mission is a

commitment to the Catholic faith. The school integrates daily prayer, reflection, and regular participation in the sacraments into the educational experience, guiding students on their journey of spiritual growth. Through this spiritual formation, students come to understand their identity as beloved sons and daughters of God and are encouraged to live lives of holiness, service, and purpose. As an independent Catholic school, The Camino School offers a faith-filled education that empowers students to live out their faith in the world and to share the light of Christ wherever they go.

In its first year, The Camino School has already seen growth, serving 46 students across 22 families in grades K-7. The school’s vision for the future includes expanding its offerings, adding new classes for kindergarten, first, and second grades, and continuing its combined classes for grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8. A second location has already been secured to accommodate this growth, and the school eagerly anticipates welcoming more families into its vibrant community. As demand for a traditional, faith-based educational experience continues to grow nationwide, The Camino School is well-positioned to meet the needs of families seeking an education that not only nurtures the intellect but also forms the heart and soul.

Through its dedication to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character formation, The Camino School promises to shape the next generation of leaders—young men and women who will engage the world with wisdom, virtue, and a deep love for God. With its strong foundation, its commitment to classical education, and its vision for a community united in faith, The Camino School is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of its students and in the renaissance of Catholic Education.