ALWAYS A SPARTAN
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FOUNDATIONS OF A LEADER
Faith · Integrity Scholarship · Brotherhood These four profound ideals are the foundation upon which
gets built here. Brothers challenge each other to work harder,
every Spartan leader is built. Serving as models to our students,
think bigger, and live out our mission to “Enter to Learn, Leave
guiding tenets for our faculty and staff, and continued inspiration
to Serve.” Every Spartan is called upon to lead with purpose,
to our alumni, these four ideals connect every generation of
especially on behalf of those who are most in need. You’ll see
Spartans to a common calling—leadership that lasts a lifetime.
this everywhere: in the classroom, on retreat, in service to others,
Ask any student, parent, teacher, or alumnus what makes
and on the field—a Brotherhood where leadership isn’t just talked
De La Salle different, and you’ll likely hear about the Spartan
about, it’s practiced every day.
Brotherhood. It’s not just a phrase—it’s how leadership actually
A DE LA SALLE GRADUATE IS A
A DE LA SALLE GRADUATE IS A
Man of Faith
Man of Integrity
Man of Scholarship
Who prays and integrates Gospel values
Who respects himself and others Embraces social and personal responsibility
Who thinks creatively, critically, independently, and collaboratively
And nurtures a healthy lifestyle
Strives for academic excellence
A DE LA SALLE GRADUATE IS A
Serves others, especially the poor and the marginalized And appreciates our Lasallian Catholic tradition 2
And pursues life-long learning
THE DE LA SALLE DIFFERENCE
At De La Salle, everything is built around one belief: young men become better leaders when they are known, challenged, and given real responsibility, not just prepared for it. Character is not confined to a single class at De La Salle, it is the whole curriculum. We care just as much about who our students become as what they achieve. We push them to be upstanders, not bystanders- young men who know how to speak up when something’s wrong and step in when someone needs help. That’s not something we can grade, but it’s something we model, and expect, every day. We also spend serious time on skills that never appear on a transcript. How to set a goal and follow through. How to build a relationship that lasts. How to plan, problem-solve, and communicate clearly. How to own a mistake and make it right. In a world that can automate almost anything, those habits are what continue to set Spartans apart. There is a reason De La Salle has been an all-boys school for more than 60 years. Our classrooms are built around how boys actually learn: room to move, hands-on work instead of worksheets, structure, and healthy competition that keeps every student engaged. That same freedom carries into how our students show up in and out of the classroom: more willing to take a risk, ask a question before it’s fully formed, or dive into a new opportunity. This is the Spartan Brotherhood, and one that only forms when young men are given the room to actually be themselves.
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LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH LEARNING
Academic Life Our academic program offers more than 125 courses, designed around how young men actually learn best. With a 1:12 faculty-student ratio, teachers know each student well enough to push him, support him, and help him think for himself. Rooted in the Lasallian Catholic tradition, the curriculum prepares every Spartan not only for college, but to lead once he gets there. To the right are examples of courses available to incoming freshmen:
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Mr. Pacos offers insight during Math Class.
Freshman Curriculum English First Aid/Health • Elective (1 semester each) Freshman STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics] Mathematics Religious Studies World History World Languages: French, Latin, Spanish, or American Sign Language (ASL placement initiated by DLS) Freshman science students discuss “Time Travel Through Wormholes” during STEM class.
Freshman Electives Acting I Band Chorus Fundamentals of Art Graphic Publications Introduction to Computer Science Introduction to Yoga Study Hall Weight Training De La Salle musicians perform at Commencement. 5
College Counselor Ms. Del Toro assists a senior during College Advisory class.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES Every Spartan has a team behind him, supporting his academic, personal, and emotional growth for all four years. De La Salle’s Student Support Services team of 10 each play a role in how our students are cared for. Four school counselors serve as a trusted adult partner for every Spartan, supporting academic planning, personal counseling, and responsive services. Our Learning Needs Coordinator, Bishop Cummins Coordinator, Learning Center Coordinator, and Spartan Success Program add further layers of support, alongside a team of three College Counselors.
Social-Emotional Support As an all-boys school, we place special emphasis on helping young men build emotional literacy, resilience, and healthy ways to navigate the challenges and opportunities of adolescence. Relationship building, sensitivity to mental health, and genuine care are at the center of how we support our students, as we believe every young man deserves to feel supported, understood, and empowered to thrive. Counselor Mrs. Melaas offers assistance during the Course Fair. 6
Students work and study together in the Learning Center.
College Counseling De La Salle’s three dedicated College Counselors guide every student and family through college admissions, scholarships, and financial assistance applications. All seniors are also enrolled in a College Advisory course, giving them structured support throughout the application process. With a small number of students entrusted to each counselor, our team is able to offer personalized, informed care to help every Spartan take his next step with confidence.
Library and Learning Center De La Salle’s Joan M. Buhlman Library and Learning Center are where students grow into scholars and leaders. Our Library offers space for group work and individual study, along with traditional and electronic research resources, supported by a team of three Librarians. In the Learning Center, students can access academic support from both student volunteers and professional tutors. All housed in a welcoming space, three conference rooms, a quiet room, and 20 individual work stations are available to meet every student where he learns best. Students hard at work in the Joan M. Buhlman Library. 7
Students gather around the cross during a schoolwide prayer service.
GROUNDED IN FAITH BUILT TO LEAD
Faith anchors everything at De La Salle, because we believe it’s what makes leadership last. Rooted in the values of our founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, our students grow into servant leaders with the skills, drive, and heart to serve others well beyond our campus. 8
Campus Ministry Campus Ministry plays a key role in De La Salle’s mission coming to life. Accompanying and guiding students on their life and spiritual journeys, our Campus Ministry team offers mentorship, leadership development, faith engagement, and community service. Whether a student arrives with a deep faith background or is just beginning to explore what faith means to him, Campus Ministry meets him where he is. Through the Lasallian Youth program, students are also given the chance to emulate the life and example of our founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, living out the call to “Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve.”
Prayer/Liturgies Each school year, seven all-school liturgies bring the entire De La Salle community together in the Kenneth H. Hofmann Student Center to worship as one community. Morning Mass is offered daily at 7:45 am in the De La Salle Chapel, open to all who wish to attend. In addition, every grade holds a yearly Class Liturgy for A student leads the De La Salle community in prayer during liturgy.
students and their families to gather and pray together.
Immersions
• Juniors participate in an off-campus Faith, Services, and
Leadership means understanding a world bigger than your own. Our immersion experiences take students outside the Bay Area to expand their worldview and deepen their commitment to social justice. Through “VENAVER,” or “Come and See” trips across the country, students witness firsthand the realities facing marginalized communities—and return with a clearer sense of how they’re called to serve.
Community (F.S.C.) immersion with Concord’s Monument Crisis Center. These F.S.C. immersions instill valuable life skills by sharing their talents within our community, and understanding the reality of poverty within our community. • Seniors participate in a three-day capstone “Kairos” retreat, integrating their faith into their relationship with God, others, and themselves.
Retreats Our four-year retreat program offers thoughtful and engaging opportunities for students, parents, and faculty and staff members alike to take a journey of spiritual growth. Each grade level will also experience a retreat corresponding to their Religious Studies curriculum: • Freshmen participate in an on-campus retreat, “Brotherhood,” where students focus on community-building and belonging. • Sophomores participate in an off-campus retreat, “Metanoia,” focusing on becoming a Man of Integrity with
A Kairos retreat group gathers together to mark this milestone moment in their De La Salle journey.
Jesus as their model. 9
President David Holquin congratulates a graduate from the Class of 2026
LEADERS
AT THE NEXT LEVEL
Through four years of hard work, every Spartan alumnus is prepared to thrive after De La Salle and open the doors to opportunity.
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A Spartan Graduate Roadmap Leadership doesn’t start senior year, and neither does
As a junior, the process picks up speed. Students have access
college preparation. From the moment a Spartan steps on
to nearly 100 colleges and universities who visit De La Salle and
campus, our college counselors are available to help him
Carondelet, attend multiple college fairs hosted throughout the
build the habits, self-awareness, and confidence to choose,
year, take practice and standardized tests, and begin building a
and thrive at, the next level, whatever that looks like for him.
personalized college list to narrow options down to a balanced
As a freshman, students meet their counselor and begin
list of schools by summer.
thinking about the four-year plan ahead—not with pressure, but
As a senior, every student is enrolled in a weekly College
with purpose. Course selection, involvement, and good habits
Advisory course, taught by our own college counselors,
start here.
and paired with an individual counselor for one-on-one
As a sophomore, students will be introduced to our college
guidance through applications, essays, and decisions. Parents
counselors within a class workshop featuring a personality
are included too, with a dedicated Senior Parent College Information Night each fall. Seniors also attend college visits
assessment/career interest survey to help connect their strengths and interests to possible majors and career paths. Students also get their first introduction to SCOIR, our college
to campus, offering further opportunities to make personal connections and informed decisions.
research and planning platform.
Where is the De La Salle Class of 2026 attending college this year?
96
36
80%
are attending 4-year, out-of-state institutions (28 states, 1 country)
students were recruited for the NCAA (15% of the class)
4-year institutions (190 students)
17%
40%
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2-year institutions (41 students)
of the class are attending 4-year institutions in CA (36 different schools: 19 public, 17 private)
average number of colleges and universities students applied to
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The Rocket Club poses with club moderator Mr. Obregon after a successful launch day.
Theatre Company performs Twelfth Night.
SPARTANS
IN ACTION At De La Salle, joining a club, sport, arts program, or other co-curricular is joining a tradition that has shaped student life for more than 60 years. Co-Curricular Activities Every Spartan is encouraged to get involved. 70% of students are student-athletes, 65% participate in one or more clubs, and many take part in Visual and Performing Arts. On the field, on stage, and in club meetings, students practice the same things: showing up, taking responsibility, and enjoying the work. Leadership is not confined to the classroom here. It is part of student life.
Arts Allow your creativity to become part of the very story of De La Salle. Our vibrant arts programs give students room to explore their creativity year-round, from a state-of-the-art Fabrication Room to our acclaimed Theatre Company, visual arts studio, and award-winning concert and jazz bands. The stage is yours for your artistic journey and unlimited creative potential.
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Clubs and Affinity Groups Student-led and faculty-sponsored, clubs and affinity groups give Spartans the chance to lead something of their own. Whether that’s organizing an event, mentoring a younger student, or building a community around a shared interest, here’s a glimpse into some of our student-inspired offerings: Artificial Intelligence Club Asian Pacific Islander Club Badminton Club Black Student Union Chess Club Gaming Club Eastern European Heritage Club Green Club Healing Spaces Hermanos Unidos History Club Interact Lasallian Youth Model UN
Mountain Biking Club National Art Honors Society National Honor Society Polynesian Culture Club Pre-Med Club Rare and Exceptional Disease Club Rocketry Club Robotics Club Ski Club Tabletop Games Club Trap Shooting Winton Oracle (School Paper) Yearbook Club
Spartans launch from the blocks during a swim meet.
Spartan Athletics Rooted in hard work, discipline, and perseverance, De
With 25 state championships and a legacy of excellence
La Salle student-athletes learn what it means to lead by
in the East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) and North Coast
example. Across 39 teams and more than 700 student-
Section (NCS) of the California Interscholastic Federation
athletes, our Athletic Department builds programs that
(CIF), Spartan Athletics gives every student-athlete a chance
foster the development of commitment, brotherhood, and
to represent the Spartan name with pride, achievement,
sportsmanship. Coaches serve as mentors as much as
and integrity.
instructors, helping students become not just better athletes, but better leaders on the field and off it.
Fall
Spring
Cross Country
Badminton
Football
Baseball
Water Polo
Golf
Winter Basketball Soccer Wrestling
Ice Hockey* Lacrosse Rugby* Swimming & Diving Tennis Track & Field Volleyball
*De La Salle has a number of club, non-CIF, teams. Spartan soccer competes under the lights at Owen Owens Field.
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De La Salle’s 2026-27 House Leaders gather at a teambuilding event.
The De La Salle House System: Where Brotherhood Builds Leaders Brotherhood has always been at the heart of a De La Salle
As the House System grows and evolves, its purpose will
education, and in the 2025-26 school year, we gave it a
stay the same: supporting every student as he grows into a
new home. Every student, faculty, and staff member is now
leader—in his House, on campus, and beyond.
part of one of four Houses — Cook, Grove, Odyssey, and Reedley — bringing together all grade levels and adults from across campus. Within these Houses, students connect in small groups where upperclassmen lead and mentor younger Spartans, guided by dedicated faculty and staff. The House System strengthens what has always defined De La Salle: unity, spirit, and community. Through events, rallies, friendly competitions, and meaningful conversations, it deepens relationships, builds accountability, and gives every Spartan real opportunity to lead.
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You’ve read what makes a Spartan. Now it’s time to become one. Become a Spartan, Remain a Leader. 2026-27 Admissions Calendar
2026
2027
September 1
Applications Available for Class of 2031
January 9
Mandatory High School Placement Test
September 1
RSVP Available for Spartan for a Day, One Night Only, and Open House
February 4
Transcripts and Recommendations Due
September 22
Spartan for a Day (shadow program) Begins
October 7 One Night Only, Visual and Performing Arts Event November 1
Open House
November 9
Deadline for Early Bird Application Fee
December 1
Financial Assistance Applications Available
December 1
Mid-Year Transfer Application Deadline
December 7
Mid-Year Transfer Decisions Released
December 11
Class of 2031 Application Deadline
February 5 Financial Assistance Applications Due (if applicable) March 12
Admissions Notification to Families (4pm)
March 19
Class of 2031 Commitment Deposit Due
May 3 Welcome Night for New Students and Families
December 14 Mid-Year Transfer Commitment Deposit Due
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The best way to know De La Salle is to experience it firsthand. Schedule a visit to campus today, and see for yourself all the ways you can make your mark.
Mr. Dan Murphy ‘09 Director of Admissions
Contact Us admissions@dlshs.org
Mrs. Megan Lopoz Admissions Associate
Admissions Website dlshs.org/admissions
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De La Salle High School 1130 Winton Drive Concord, CA 94518 (925) 288-8100 Visit us online: dlshs.org Follow us on social media: @dlshs.concord