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.
With 2,600 alumni who have matriculated to colleges and universities across the country, St. Margaret's has been a vital member of the San Juan Capistrano community and educational landscape of Southern California for over 40 years.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Top Ranked CA School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 1,238 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
St. Margaret's Episcopal School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
SAT Score
ACT Score
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
Year Founded
1979
Summer School Offered
Yes
Student Body
Total Students
1,238 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
59%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
137 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
67%
Number of AP Courses
26 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
Advanced Placement Art History, Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement Calculus AB, Advanced Placement Calculus BC, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Advanced Placement Chinese Language and Culture, Advanced Placement Computer Science, Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, Advanced Placement European History, Advanced Placement French Language, Advanced Placement Human Geography, Advanced Placement Japanese Language, Advanced Placement Latin Vergil, Advanced Placement Music Theory, Advanced Placement Physics B, Advanced Placement Physics C, Advanced Placement Spanish Language, Advanced Placement Statistics, Advanced Placement Studio Art: Drawing, Advanced Placement Studio Art: Three-Dimensional Design, Advanced Placement Studio Art: Two Dimensional Design, Advanced Placement U.S. Government, Advanced Placement United States History, Advanced Placement World History, Advanced Theatre, Advanced Theatre II, Algebra II Honors, Chemistry Honors, English II Honors, English III Honors, French III Honors, Geometry Honors, Latin III Honors, Pre-Calculus Honors, Spanish III Honors, Spanish IV Honors
Average SAT score
1382
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
31
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. 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 and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Admissions Director
Phoebe Larson
Admissions Associate
Karen McCollum
Sports
Total Sports Offered
17 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
11 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Admission Ambassadors, Associated Student Body, Character Counts, Honor Committee, Peer Counseling, Tartan Inclusivity and Diversity Education
Arts and Music Programs:
Choir, Concert Band, Orchestra, Theater Technical Arts, Theater-Music and Dance Productions
Admission Ambassadors, Associated Student Body, Character Counts, Honor Committee, Peer Counseling, Tartan Inclusivity and Diversity Education
Arts and Music Programs:
Choir, Concert Band, Orchestra, Theater Technical Arts, Theater-Music and Dance Productions
School Notes
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
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
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 Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
School Reviews
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