Private School Review - Established 2003

St. Margaret's Episcopal School

31641 La Novia San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Tel: (949) 661-0108
www.smes.org

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 1,234 students
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 1 / Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #1 - Every graduate is prepared and qualified to enroll in a four-year college or university, and because of the school's reputation for the depth and quality of its education, more than 100 leading colleges and universities across the country visit St. Margaret's annually to recruit its graduates.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #2 - The Outdoor Classroom is where children can immerse themselves in nature, hone observation skills, practice cooperation, develop academic concepts and physical skills, learn problem-solving skills and, of course have fun. Designated as a Recognized Outdoor Classroom Site" by the California Outdoor Classroom Project, the Outdoor Classroom is a science lab, artist's studio, science lab, library, symphony hall, theatre and gym.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #3 - Our mission at St. Margaret's Episcopal School is to educate the hearts and minds of young people for lives of learning, leadership and service.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #4 - St. Margaret's is upheld by the basic principles of our Episcopal tenets that individuals and institutions are called to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. Episcopal schools exist not merely to educate, but to demonstrate and proclaim the unique worth and beauty of all human beings.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #5 - The Outdoor Classroom nurtures learning in our youngest Lower School students in unique ways. St. Margaret's has a K-1 Outdoor Classroom teacher who conducts science lessons in the space, in addition to collaborating with St. Margaret's Lower School visual arts teacher and homeroom teachers to design curriculum and provocations tailored for this unique outdoor setting.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #6 - Our Middle School program provides opportunities for students to engage in activities that support their growth as learners, leaders and compassionate members of the community. We believe early adolescents should be exposed to a vibrant program that enables them to explore challenges in academic, athletic, artistic and leadership programs.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #7 - A pillar of our school's mission is to educate students for lives of service. Our community believes that an essential outcome of St. Margaret's education is that students and graduates feel the compassion, responsibility and calling to serve others and be active and contributing citizens within their communities and the world.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #8 - The athletic program is central to our mission and integral to the learning process. Through athletic competition we strive to achieve the highest degree of integrity, sportsmanship, and mutual respect. Our program celebrates the student-athlete and the teacher-coach, while striving to instill in our students a meaningful and solid foundation from which to lead healthy and productive lives.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #9 - The arts are integral to the development of every student. Classes in theater, dance, orchestra, band, choir and visual arts challenge students to be creative thinkers and problem solvers. The 45,000-square-foot Performing Arts Center along with a 6,000-square-foot Visual Arts Center support a vibrant arts program.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #10 - As a college-preparatory institution, St. Margaret's academic excellence is rooted in vigor, choice and relevance and made possible by a strong foundation of educational expertise, research and best practices.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School Photo #11 - At St. Margaret's Episcopal School, we believe that everyone is on an artistic journey. Through experiences in the visual arts, music, dance, theater and technical arts, students discover and nurture the artists within.
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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 1,234 students
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 1 / Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

St. Margaret's Episcopal School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
SAT Score
Highest average SAT score
ACT Score
Highest average ACT score
Student Body
Largest student body
AP Courses
Most AP courses offered
Sports offered
Most sports offered

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.
National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES)
National Association for the Education of Young Children
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
Religious Affiliation
Episcopal
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
Students By Grade

Distribution of Students By Grade

GradeSt. Margaret's Episcopal School
Pre-K80
Kind61
163
267
362
466
572
691
7107
8111
9122
10115
11115
12102
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Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Year Founded
1979
Summer School Offered
Yes

Student Body

Total Students
1,234 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
61%
State avg.: 52%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
137 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 11:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
67%
Average Class Size
15 students
Number of AP Courses
26 courses
List of Courses Offered
Link to List of Courses
Advanced Courses
Advanced Placement Art HistoryAdvanced Placement Biology
Advanced Placement Calculus ABAdvanced Placement Calculus BC
Advanced Placement ChemistryAdvanced Placement Chinese Language and Culture
Advanced Placement Computer ScienceAdvanced Placement English Literature and Composition
Advanced Placement Environmental ScienceAdvanced Placement European History
Advanced Placement French LanguageAdvanced Placement Human Geography
Advanced Placement Japanese LanguageAdvanced Placement Latin Vergil
Advanced Placement Music TheoryAdvanced Placement Physics B
Advanced Placement Physics CAdvanced Placement Spanish Language
Advanced Placement StatisticsAdvanced Placement Studio Art: Drawing
Advanced Placement Studio Art: Three-Dimensional DesignAdvanced Placement Studio Art: Two Dimensional Design
Advanced Placement U.S. GovernmentAdvanced Placement United States History
Advanced Placement World HistoryAdvanced Theatre
Advanced Theatre IIAlgebra II Honors
Chemistry HonorsEnglish II Honors
English III HonorsFrench III Honors
Geometry HonorsLatin III Honors
Pre-Calculus HonorsSpanish III Honors
Spanish IV Honors
Average SAT score
1386
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
31
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
View Matriculation Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Specific dress code for each school division. Upper School students wear kahki pant/shorts with school-color shirt, except on formal days, jacket is required.

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Dec. 1 / Feb. 1 / rolling
Admissions Director
Phoebe Larson
Admissions Associate
Beth Carey
Application URL
Online Application

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
11 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Admission AmbassadorsAssociated Student Body
Character CountsHonor Committee
Peer CounselingTartan Inclusivity and Diversity Education


Arts and Music Programs:
ChoirConcert Band
OrchestraTheater Technical Arts
Theater-Music and Dance Productions

School Notes

  • Our mission at St. Margaret's Episcopal School is to educate the hearts and minds of young people for lives of learning, leadership and service.
  • Founded in 1979, St. Margaret's Episcopal School is the premier, independent, college-preparatory day school in Orange County serving 1,234 students in early childhood through grade 12.
  • St. Margaret's is situated on a picturesque 25-acre campus in historic San Juan Capistrano, California, with dedicated campuses for each school division, modern classrooms and facilities, including a performing arts center, science and technology labs, library, athletics fields and gymnasiums.
  • School Motto: Educating the hearts and minds of young people for lives of learning, leadership and service.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School is a diverse community dedicated to developing the whole child. We nurture spiritual growth, an appreciation for life-long learning, the courage to lead and a responsibility to give to others. Our graduates are independent thinkers of integrity and compassion who reveal their resilience and collaborative nature in the face of challenge and opportunity.

CORE VALUES
  • Character: We emphasize integrity, spirituality, empathy, perseverance and responsibility.
  • Community: We champion mutual respect, engagement, collaboration, service learning and a commitment to the common good.
  • Balance and Breadth: We believe personal growth, balance and well-being are fostered through a broad range of academic, artistic, athletic and co-curricular opportunities.
  • Equity and Inclusion: We embrace and celebrate the identity of every human being, and advocate for equity, inclusion and justice.
  • High Expectations: We prepare and empower our students to discover and develop their unique gifts and talents to achieve their full potential.
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

What sports does St. Margaret's Episcopal School offer?
St. Margaret's Episcopal School offers 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Flag Football, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Surf Team, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. St. Margaret's Episcopal School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.
What is St. Margaret's Episcopal School's ranking?
St. Margaret's Episcopal School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Highest average SAT score, Highest average ACT score, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered and Most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for St. Margaret's Episcopal School?
The application deadline for St. Margaret's Episcopal School is Dec. 1 / Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 1 / Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Orange County, CA is $12,779 for elementary schools and $17,248 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Orange County, CA is 85% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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