School Overview
Data & methodology
Overall
A-
Matriculation
B+
Academics
A-
Extracurriculars
A+
Geo & 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.
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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School Stats
Average
Current school
Tuition
$36,000
Enrollment
1792
International Students
6.8%
Faculty with Advanced Degrees
71%
Teacher-Student Ratio
1:15
AP
24
Average SAT Score
1266
Average ACT Score
27
Class Size
23
Matriculation
College Matriculation
(2025)| Ranking | University/College | Students |
|---|---|---|
| #2 | Columbia University | 2 |
| #2 | Harvard College | 3 |
| #6 | Stanford University | 2 |
| #6 | University of Chicago | 1 |
| #8 | University of Pennsylvania | 1 |
| #9 | Johns Hopkins University | 1 |
| #9 | Northwestern University | 1 |
| Art #9 | Pratt Institute | 1 |
| #14 | Brown University | 1 |
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Academics
AP Scores
(2025)Number of tests taken
1388
Score 5
Score 4
Score 3
Other scores
AP Courses
(24)|
Chinese Language and Culture
|
French Language and Culture
|
|
Spanish Language and Culture
|
Biology
|
|
Chemistry
|
Environmental Science
|
|
Chinese Language and Culture
|
French Language and Culture
|
|
Spanish Language and Culture
|
Biology
|
|
Chemistry
|
Environmental Science
|
|
Physics C: Mechanics
|
Calculus AB
|
|
Calculus BC
|
Computer Science A
|
|
Statistics
|
European History
|
|
Macroeconomics
|
Microeconomics
|
|
Psychology
|
United States Government and Politics
|
|
United States History
|
World History
|
|
English Language and Composition
|
English Literature and Composition
|
|
Art History
|
Music Theory
|
|
Studio Art: 2-D Design
|
Studio Art: Drawing
|
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IB
(21)|
IB Chinese (SL)
|
IB English (HL)
|
|
IB French B (HL)
|
IB Latin (HL)
|
|
IB Spanish (SL)
|
IB Business and Management (HL)
|
|
IB Chinese (SL)
|
IB English (HL)
|
|
IB French B (HL)
|
IB Latin (HL)
|
|
IB Spanish (SL)
|
IB Business and Management (HL)
|
|
IB Economics (SL)
|
IB Global Politics (SL)
|
|
IB Biology (HL)
|
IB Chemistry (SL,HL)
|
|
IB Design Technology (SL)
|
IB Physics (HL)
|
|
IB Math Studies
|
IB Mathematics (SL,HL)
|
|
IB Pre-Calculus
|
IB Dance (HL)
|
|
IB Film (HL)
|
IB Music (HL)
|
|
IB Theatre (SL,HL)
|
IB Visual Arts (HL)
|
|
IB Theory of Knowledge
|
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Sports
(10)|
Baseball
|
Beach Volleyball
|
|
Cheerleading
|
Golf
|
|
Lacrosse
|
Softball
|
|
Baseball
|
Beach Volleyball
|
|
Cheerleading
|
Golf
|
|
Lacrosse
|
Softball
|
|
Swimming
|
Tennis
|
|
Track and Field
|
Volleyball
|
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Extracurricular Activities and Clubs
(74)|
AAPI Student Union
|
AI Club
|
|
American Red Cross Blood Drive
|
Anime Club
|
|
Architecture Club
|
Art Club
|
|
AAPI Student Union
|
AI Club
|
|
American Red Cross Blood Drive
|
Anime Club
|
|
Architecture Club
|
Art Club
|
|
Badminton Club
|
Bowling Club
|
|
Breakfast Brunch Books
|
Break the Blaze
|
|
Bridge
|
Buddies Beyond Boundaries
|
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Caring Colors
|
Careers in Business
|
|
Catholic Relief Services Club
|
Chess Club
|
|
City of Hope Club
|
Coding Club
|
|
Comfort for Children
|
Comfort Cross Club
|
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Crafting for Comfort
|
DECA
|
|
Doodlebug Development Club
|
Drone Club
|
|
Eagle for CHOC Club
|
Eagle Investors
|
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English Club
|
Entertainment Marketing
|
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F = ma Club
|
Filipino Culture Club
|
|
Film Production Club
|
Free Wheelchair Mission Club
|
|
French Club
|
Game Development Club
|
|
Girls in STEAM
|
HEART Club
|
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Hiking Club
|
Industry Disruptors
|
|
Iranian American Cultural Club
|
Key Club
|
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Keys 2 Happiness
|
Legal Eagles
|
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Live Like JoJo Club
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Live Love L'Arche
|
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Miracles for Kids
|
Mind and Heart Alliance
|
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Mind in Motion
|
Mu Alpha Theta
|
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National Art Honor Society Club
|
National Spanish Honors Society
|
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Operation Help a Hero
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Outdoor Club
|
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Pen to Paper Creative Writing Club
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Pokemon Collectors Club
|
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Project Pet RAK
|
RAD
|
|
Research and Data Analysis Club
|
Sending Sunshine
|
|
Sandwich Club
|
SM Economics Club
|
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SM Pre-Med Club
|
SM Second Harvest Club
|
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SM Shark Tank
|
SM Students for Life
|
|
SMCHS Science Club
|
Sondor Social Club
|
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Soul Sisters and Brothers
|
South Asian Cultural Club
|
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Speech and Debate Club
|
Story Creation Club
|
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Surfrider Foundation Club
|
Talon Theatre
|
|
Women in Business
|
Yu-Gi-Oh! Club.
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Arts
(21)|
Choir
|
Dance
|
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Music
|
Music Theory
|
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Performing
|
Theater
|
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Choir
|
Dance
|
|
Music
|
Music Theory
|
|
Performing
|
Theater
|
|
3D Sculpture
|
Art History
|
|
Drawing
|
Film
|
|
Graphic Design
|
Motion Graphics
|
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Painting
|
Photography
|
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Sculpture
|
Visual Arts
|
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2D Art
|
Architecture
|
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Art
|
Screenwriting
|
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Yearbook
|
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Basic Info
Application Info
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 1792 students, 6.80% of whom are international students.
For more official information, please visit http://www.smhs.org.
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, 40 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.
In recent years, 40 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, 16.67% go to top 50 US universities and colleges*, 12.05% go to top 25, and about 1.03% go to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and MIT.
*Ranking is based on the 2024 US News College Ranking.
*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 Day Tuition for Santa Margarita Catholic High School?
The day tuition for Santa Margarita Catholic High School in 2024 is
$36,000 For international students, there are additional fees, such as student management fee and other fees associated with managing international students.
For more information, please contact school’s admission team at admissions@smhs.org .
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 the 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 194 for all schools on FindingSchool.
Also Santa Margarita Catholic High School has been favorited by 118 users.
Also Santa Margarita Catholic High School has been favorited by 118 users.
How do I complete an application for 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.
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.
Are there additional schools that are located close to Santa Margarita Catholic High School?
Yes, here are few:
Crean Lutheran South High School, Heritage Christian School and St. Michael S Prep School.
The closest major city is Long Beach. You can find out more schools near Long Beach here.
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 A-.
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
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, 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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FindingSchool collects its data from a variety of reliable sources, including schools, advisors, official U.S. statistics, and feedback from actual parents and students.