Santa Margarita Catholic High School United States Flag

B+ 4.3 California, US
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School Overview

Data & methodology
Overall
B+
Matriculation B
Academics A-
Extracurriculars A+
Community A
Reviews B-
Santa Margarita Catholic High School offers a college-preparatory education under the leadership of the Diocese of Orange. SMCHS provides a well-rounded education emphasizing the formation of the entire person. Students are challenged to grow spiritually, intellectually,
socially and morally. SMCHS strives to develop students who are people of faith, skilled lifelong learners, healthy individuals and involved citizens of our world. At Santa Margarita, we inspire innovation, pursue excellence and are ever-faithful to our charism of Caritas Christi, the love of Christ.
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Santa Margarita Catholic High School With Reviews, Requirements 2025 | FindingSchool
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School Stats

Average
Current School
Tuition
$36000
Enrollment
1739
International Students
6.8%
Faculty with Advanced Degrees
71%
Teacher-Student Ratio
1:15
AP
24
Average SAT Score
1313
Average ACT Score
28
Class Size
23

Matriculation

Matriculation

(2023)
Ranking University/College Students
#3 Stanford University 1 +
#6 University of Chicago 1 +
#7 University of Pennsylvania 1 +
#10 Duke University 1 +
#10 Northwestern University 1 +
#12 Dartmouth College 1 +
#15 Washington University in St. Louis 1 +
LAC #3 Pomona College 1 +
#17 Cornell University 1 +
#18 Columbia University 1 +
#18 University of Notre Dame 1 +
#20 University of California: Berkeley 1 +
#20 University of California: Los Angeles 1 +
#25 New York University 1 +
#25 University of Michigan 1 +
#25 University of Southern California 1 +
#29 University of Florida 1 +
#32 Tufts University 1 +
#32 University of California: Santa Barbara 1 +
#34 University of California: Irvine 1 +
#34 University of California: San Diego 1 +
#36 Boston College 1 +
#38 University of California: Davis 1 +
#38 University of Texas at Austin 1 +
#38 University of Wisconsin-Madison 1 +
#41 Boston University 1 +
#44 Case Western Reserve University 1 +
#49 University of Georgia 1 +
#51 Purdue University 1 +
#51 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1 +
#51 Villanova University 1 +
#55 Pepperdine University 1 +
#55 Santa Clara University 1 +
#55 University of Miami 1 +
#55 University of Washington 1 +
#62 George Washington University 1 +
#62 Syracuse University 1 +
LAC #13 Vassar College 1 +
#67 University of Massachusetts Amherst 1 +
#72 Indiana University Bloomington 1 +
#72 Southern Methodist University 1 +
#77 Baylor University 1 +
#77 Clemson University 1 +
#77 Loyola Marymount University 1 +
#77 Michigan State University 1 +
#83 Gonzaga University 1 +
#83 Marquette University 1 +
#89 Brigham Young University 1 +
#89 Texas Christian University 1 +
LAC #18 Colgate University 1 +
Auburn University 1 +
#97 University of San Diego 1 +
#105 University of Arizona 1 +
#105 University of Denver 1 +
#105 University of Oregon 1 +
#105 University of San Francisco 1 +
#105 University of Utah 1 +
#115 University of South Carolina: Columbia 1 +
Arizona State University 1 +
#121 Chapman University 1 +
#121 University of Kansas 1 +
#121 University of Missouri: Columbia 1 +
#124 Westmont College 1 +
#127 University of Oklahoma 1 +
LAC #27 Colorado College 1 +
#137 DePaul University 1 +
#137 Seton Hall University 1 +
#137 University of Alabama 1 +
#151 Colorado State University 1 +
#151 San Diego State University 1 +
#151 University of La Verne 1 +
#151 University of Mississippi 1 +
LAC #33 College of the Holy Cross 1 +
#166 California State University: Fullerton 1 +
#166 University of Hawaii at Manoa 1 +
#182 Belmont University 1 +
LAC #37 Bucknell University 1 +
#194 Biola University 1 +
#212 Washington State University 1 +
#219 Seattle Pacific University 1 +
#219 University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1 +
#263 Montana State University 1 +
#317 Northern Arizona University 1 +
Berklee College of Music 1 +
Boise State University 1 +
California Baptist University 1 +
California Polytechnic State University: San Luis Obispo 1 +
California State Polytechnic University: Pomona 1 +
California State University: Bakersfield 1 +
California State University: Chico 1 +
California State University: Northridge 1 +
California State University: San Marcos 1 +
College of Charleston 1 +
Grand Canyon University 1 +
Grove City College 1 +
Irvine Valley College 1 +
Le Cordon Bleu Paris 1 +
LIM College 1 +
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College 1 +
Marywood University 1 +
McLennan Community College 1 +
Mount Mercy University 1 +
Northwest Nazarene University 1 +
Oberlin College 1 +
Ohio State University: Columbus Campus 1 +
Otis College of Art and Design 1 +
Palomar College 1 +
Penn State University Park 1 +
Point Loma Nazarene University 1 +
Rhode Island School of Design 1 +
Ringling College of Art and Design 1 +
Saddleback College 1 +
Santa Ana College 1 +
Santa Barbara City College 1 +
School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1 +
School of Visual Arts 1 +
Southern Utah University 1 +
St. John's University 1 +
Tallahassee Community College 1 +
United States Military Academy 1 +
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 1 +
University of British Columbia 1 +
University of California: Riverside 1 +
University of California: Santa Cruz 1 +
University of Colorado Boulder 1 +
University of Hawaii at Hilo 1 +
University of Minnesota: Twin Cities 1 +
University of Nebraska - Lincoln 1 +
University of Nevada: Las Vegas 1 +
University of Nevada: Reno 1 +
University of Tennessee: Chattanooga 1 +
University of Tennessee: Knoxville 1 +
Utah Valley University 1 +
View all
Matriculation
Ranking University/College 2023 2021-2022 2016-2020 2019 2018 Total
All schools 73 94 71 73 204
#1 Princeton University 1 1 + 1 3
#3 Harvard College 1 1 + 1 + 2 5
#3 Stanford University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 2 6
#4 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1 + 1
#6 University of Chicago 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4 8
#7 University of Pennsylvania 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 1 5
#7 Johns Hopkins University 1 1 + 2
#10 Northwestern University 1 + 1 1 + 3
#10 Duke University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 1 5
#12 Dartmouth College 1 + 1 1 + 1 4
#12 California Institute of Technology 1 + 1
#13 Vanderbilt University 1 1 + 1 + 1 4
#13 Brown University 1 1 + 1 3
#15 Rice University 1 1 + 1 + 1 4
#15 Washington University in St. Louis 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#17 Cornell University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 3 7
#18 Columbia University 1 + 1 + 1 + 3
#18 University of Notre Dame 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4 8
#20 University of California: Los Angeles 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 15 19
#20 University of California: Berkeley 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 5 9
#22 Georgetown University 1 1 + 2
#22 Emory University 1 1 + 1 3
#23 Carnegie Mellon University 1 1
#25 University of Michigan 1 + 1 + 3 5
#25 University of Southern California 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 18 22
#25 University of Virginia 1 1
#25 New York University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 6 10
#29 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1 1 2
#29 Wake Forest University 1 1
#29 University of Florida 1 + 1
#32 Tufts University 1 + 1 1 3
#32 University of California: Santa Barbara 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4 8
#34 College of William and Mary 1 1
#34 University of California: Irvine 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 9 13
#34 University of California: San Diego 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 3 7
#36 University of Rochester 1 1
#36 Boston College 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#38 University of Texas at Austin 1 + 1 1 3
#38 University of California: Davis 1 + 1 1 + 4 7
#38 University of Wisconsin-Madison 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 1 5
#41 Boston University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 3 7
#41 Tulane University 1 + 1 2
#44 Northeastern University 1 1 + 1 + 1 4
#44 Case Western Reserve University 1 + 1 1 + 3
#44 Brandeis University 1 1 2
#44 Georgia Institute of Technology 1 1
#49 University of Georgia 1 + 1 1 3
#51 Lehigh University 1 1 + 2
#51 Purdue University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 5 9
#51 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1 + 1 2
#51 Villanova University 1 + 1 + 2
#55 University of Washington 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 6 10
#55 Santa Clara University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#55 Pepperdine University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 3 7
#55 University of Miami 1 + 1 1 + 3
#57 University of Pittsburgh 1 + 1 2
#62 Syracuse University 1 + 1 1 + 3 6
#62 George Washington University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 2 6
#67 University of Massachusetts Amherst 1 + 1
#67 Texas A&M University 1 1 + 1 + 1 4
#72 Southern Methodist University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 17 21
#72 Indiana University Bloomington 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#72 Fordham University 1 1 + 1 + 3 6
#74 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 1 + 1
#77 Loyola Marymount University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#77 Baylor University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 5 9
#77 American University 1 + 1 2
#77 Clemson University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#77 Michigan State University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#83 Marquette University 1 + 1 + 2
#83 Gonzaga University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#89 Brigham Young University 1 + 1 2
#89 Elon University 1 1
#89 Colorado School of Mines 1 1
#89 Texas Christian University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 14 18
#96 Saint Louis University 1 1
#97 University of San Diego 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 8 12
#97 Auburn University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#105 Miami University: Oxford 1 1 + 2
#105 Rochester Institute of Technology 1 1
#105 University of Oregon 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#105 University of San Francisco 1 + 1 2
#105 Drexel University 1 1 2
#105 University of Utah 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#105 University of Arizona 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#105 University of Denver 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 1 5
#115 Loyola University Chicago 1 1 + 2
#115 Creighton University 1 1 + 2
#115 University of South Carolina: Columbia 1 + 1 2
#121 Chapman University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#121 University of Kansas 1 + 1 1 + 3
#121 University of Missouri: Columbia 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#121 Arizona State University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
#124 Seattle University 1 + 1 + 2
#127 University of Oklahoma 1 + 1 1 + 3
#137 Seton Hall University 1 + 1
#137 DePaul University 1 + 1 + 2
#137 University of Kentucky 1 1
#137 University of Alabama 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 3 7
#151 Oregon State University 1 1 + 1 + 3
#151 University of La Verne 1 + 1
#151 University of Cincinnati 1 1
#151 San Diego State University 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
University of Maryland: College Park 1 1 + 2
Ohio State University: Columbus Campus 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 3 7
Penn State University Park 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
University of Tennessee: Knoxville 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
University of California: Riverside 1 + 1 1 + 3
University of California: Santa Cruz 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 2 6
University of Colorado Boulder 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 18 22
Rutgers University 1 1 + 1 + 3
Iowa State University 1 1
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1 1 + 1 3
University of Nebraska - Lincoln 1 + 1
University of Minnesota: Twin Cities 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 1 5
Matriculation
Ranking University/College 2023 2021-2022 2016-2020 2019 2018 Total
All schools 8 7 6 6 4
#2 Amherst College 1 1
#3 Pomona College 1 + 1
#4 Wellesley College 1 + 1
#6 Claremont McKenna College 1 + 1 + 2
#6 United States Naval Academy 1 1 + 2
#13 Vassar College 1 + 1
#13 Smith College 1 1
#14 Grinnell College 1 + 1
#17 Wesleyan University 1 + 1
#18 United States Air Force Academy 1 1 + 2
#18 Colgate University 1 + 1 2
#25 Harvey Mudd College 1 + 1
#27 Colorado College 1 + 1
#33 College of the Holy Cross 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 5
#37 Bucknell University 1 + 1 2
#39 Denison University 1 1
United States Military Academy 1 + 1 1 + 1 + 4
Franklin & Marshall College 1 1
Oberlin College 1 + 1

AP Scores

(2023)
Number of tests taken
1134
19%
31%
27%
Score 5
Score 4
Score 3
Other scores

Academics

AP

(24)
Art History
Biology
Calculus AB
Computer Science A
European History
Macroeconomics
Art History
Biology
Calculus AB
Computer Science A
European History
Macroeconomics
Psychology
Spanish Language and Culture
Statistics
United States Government and Politics
United States History
Physics 1
Music Theory
Physics 1
Environmental Science
Chinese Language and Culture
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
Calculus BC
Microeconomics
Studio Art: Drawing
French Language and Culture
World History
English Language and Composition
English Literature and Composition
View all

IB

(22)
IB Chinese
IB English
IB French
IB Spanish
IB History
IB Philosophy
IB Chinese
IB English
IB French
IB Spanish
IB History
IB Philosophy
IB Biology
IB Physics
IB Mathematics
IB Dance
IB Film
IB Music
IB Theatre
IB Visual Arts
IB Latin
IB Business and Management
IB Economics
IB Global Politics
IB Chemistry
IB Design Technology
IB Environmental Systems and Societies
IB Theory of Knowledge
View all

Sports

(18)
Baseball
Basketball
Beach Volleyball
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Diving
Baseball
Basketball
Beach Volleyball
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Diving
Flag Football
American Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Water Polo
Wrestling
View all

Extracurricular Activities and Clubs

(54)
Young Black Scholars - Academic
You Can Sit With Us - Social
United Through Basketball - Service
The Sandwich Club - Service
Talon Tutors - Service
Table Top Games - Social
Young Black Scholars - Academic
You Can Sit With Us - Social
United Through Basketball - Service
The Sandwich Club - Service
Talon Tutors - Service
Table Top Games - Social
Surfrider Club - Service
SM Ping Pong Club - Social
SM Math Team - Academic
SM Flying Club - Social
SMbled Robotics- Academic
Science Club - Academic
Save the Nest - Service
Rubik's Cube SpeedSolving - Social
RAD Eagles Club - Service
Psychology Education and Service Club - Academic
Pre-Med Club - Academic
Platelets and Prayers
Photography Club - Social
Operation - STEM
Operation Help a Hero - Service
National Art Honor Society Club - Humanitarian
Marketing/Advertising Club - Social
Mandarin Club – Academic
Mandala Creative Writing Club - Social
Keys 2 Happiness Club - Service
JSA (Junior Statesmen of America) Club - Academic
Iranian American Cultural Club - Social
International Thespian Society Talon Theatre Troupe -Social
International Students Club - Social
Houdini Magic Club - Service
Hack Club SMCHS - Social
French Club - Academic
Forever Friends of DSAOC - Service
Future Business Leaders of America Club - Academic
Fishing Club - Social
Fashion and Design Club – Social
ESports - Social
Eagles in Engineering - Academic
Eagles for CHOC Club - Service
Eagles 4 Kids - Service
Eagle Outreach Club - Service
Dressember Club - Social
Comfort Cross Club - Service
Classics Club - Academic
Chess Club - Social
Catholic Relief Service- Service
CASA Teens Club - Service
C.H.A.N.G.E. Club - Social
Asian American Cultural Club - Social
Anime Club - Social
Animal Rescue Club - Service
Allergy Awareness Club - Academic
ACSL - Academic
View all

Arts

(25)
Band
Choir
Chorus
Dance
Guitar
Music
Band
Choir
Chorus
Dance
Guitar
Music
Music Theory
Orchestra
Percussion
Performing
Production
String
Theater
Wind Symphony
Art History
Digital Media
Drawing
Film
Graphic Design
Painting
Photography
Sculpture
Video Production
Art
Screenwriting
View all

Contact Info

http://www.smhs.org
22062 Antonio Parkway Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
949-766-6000
admissions@smhs.org
California

Basic Info

Co-ed
Day S. Grades: 9-12
Suburban
IB: No
ESL: No
Year Founded: 1987
Campus Size: 42 acres
Religious Affiliation: Catholic

Application Info

Deadline: 02/01
Interview: Skype
Recommended
Boarding
Idyllwild Arts Academy United States Flag
5.0
Recommended
Day school
Mater Dei Catholic School United States Flag
5.0

Frequently Ask Questions about Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Tell me a bit about Santa Margarita Catholic High School.
Santa Margarita Catholic High School is Co-ed private day school located in California, US. It was founded 1987 , and currently has about 1739 students, 6.80% of whom are international students.

For more official information, please visit http://www.smhs.org.
Does Santa Margarita Catholic High School have rigorous academic requirements?
Santa Margarita Catholic High School is offering 24 AP courses.

In recent years, 31 of their students score 4 and 5 in AP exams.

Santa Margarita Catholic High School also have 71% of faculties whose degrees are master and above.
Where do Santa Margarita Catholic High School students typically go for their colleges?
Based on the most recent matriculation data, 2.13% go to top 50 US universities and colleges*, 3.43% go to top 25, and about 0.71% go to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and MIT.

*Ranking is based on the 2024 US News College Ranking.
What is the application requirement for Santa Margarita Catholic High School?
Similar to most private schools in the US, Santa Margarita Catholic High School’s typical admission requirements include school transcript, recommendation letter, application essay, and interview (often optional, but highly recommended).
What is the latest tuition for Santa Margarita Catholic High School’s Co-ed student?
The total fee for Santa Margarita Catholic High School in 2024 is $36,000 which typically includes tuition, boarding fee, student management fee and a few other fees associated with managing international students.

For more information, please contact school’s admission team at admissions@smhs.org .
Where is Santa Margarita Catholic High School located?
Santa Margarita Catholic High School is located in the State of California of USA. The closest major city is Long Beach, which is about 40 miles away from school. Most families can choose Long Beach/Daugherty Field Airport to travel in and out of school.
How popular is Santa Margarita Catholic High School on FindingSchool network?
Based on FindingSchool monthly traffic data as well as onsite search record, Santa Margarita Catholic High School is among the most popular schools, within top 187 for all schools on FindingSchool.

Also Santa Margarita Catholic High School has been favorited by 118 users.
How to start with an application with Santa Margarita Catholic High School?
The first stop is to carefully review the school profile on FindingSchool to learn more about Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Most of them are directly provided by the school.

Also it is highly recommended to visit Santa Margarita Catholic High School’s official site: http://www.smhs.org or call them at 949-766-6000.
Please share a few nearby schools that are close to Santa Margarita Catholic High School?
Yes, here are few: St. Michael S Prep School, Heritage Christian School and Crean Lutheran South High School.

The closest major city is Long Beach. You can find out more schools near Long Beach here.
What is the FindingSchool rating for Santa Margarita Catholic High School?
The overall rating for Santa Margarita Catholic High School is B+.

The section ratings of Santa Margarita Catholic High School are:
B for Matriculation
A- for Academics
A+ for Extracurriculum
A for Community
B- for Students and Parents reviews

Nearby City

Long Beach, California
Long Beach, a coastal city in Southern California, is known for its vibrant waterfront and cultural attractions. The iconic RMS Queen Mary, a retired ocean liner, serves as a museum docked in Queensway Bay. The Aquarium of the Pacific offers interactive exhibits, including touch tanks and a shark lagoon. The Museum of Latin American Art showcases modern and contemporary art, while Rancho Los Cerritos, a historic 19th-century adobe home, provides a glimpse into the past amidst beautiful gardens. Long Beach is a dynamic blend of history, nature, and the arts.
Population (2022) 463,789
Cost of Living Higher than average 54%
Nearby Airport Long Beach/Daugherty Field Airport

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