Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Santa Margarita Catholic High School (SMCHS) is a coeducational college preparatory Roman Catholic high school located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, United States. SMCHS is owned and operated by the Diocese of Orange,[11] and was opened in 1987 under the direction of the Bishop of Orange. Although it follows the Catholic tradition, admission is open to students of all faiths. As of fall 2018, 1,673 students were enrolled in grades 9 through 12.[5]

Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Address
22062 Antonio Parkway

Rancho Santa Margarita
,
Orange County
,
California
92688

United States
Coordinates33°38′34″N 117°34′56″W
Information
TypePrivate, Coeducational
MottoCaritas Christi (Latin)
(Love of Christ)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Patron saint(s)St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Established1987
FounderBishop William R. Johnson
School districtDiocese of Orange
OversightDiocese of Orange
SuperintendentErin Barisano[1]
School code052563
CEEB code052563
PresidentAndy Sulick[2]
PrincipalCheri Wood
ChaplainFr. Timothy Donovan [3]
Staff239 [4]
Faculty120 [3]
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,673 [5] (2018)
Average class size395, average class size of 28
Student to teacher ratio16:1
CampusSuburban
Campus size42 acres (170,000 m2)
Color(s)Blue   and   Gold
Fight songNotre Dame Victory March
Athletics conferenceCIF-SS:PAC5:Trinity League
MascotEagle
Team nameEagles
AccreditationWestern Association of Schools and Colleges[6]
USNWR rankingRanked number 2 Catholic School in the county by Niche.com [7]
National rankingNo. 51 for private high schools in the nation by the Washington Post [8]
NewspaperThe Eagle Eye [9]
YearbookThe Talon
TuitionYearly Registration is $550 and Yearly Technology Fee $685 plus, $14,975 Registered Catholic, $16,650 Non Catholic (2016-2016) [10]
Websitewww.smhs.org

SMCHS opened in the fall of 1987, the first Catholic high school to serve South Orange County. Its 42-acre (170,000 m2) campus is adjacent to the San Francisco Solano parish church. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Santa Margarita is one of three International Baccalaureate World Schools in California,[12] in addition to offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams. SMCHS also offers a comprehensive Auxiliary Studies Program (ASP) to help students who learn differently than others.[13] The Class of 2015 earned $30 million in scholarship offers.[14]

Campus

Groundbreaking for the school was held on April 18, 1986. It opened with 216 students on September 2, 1987. The three-story "G" building was completed in 1990.[12]

The Eagle Athletic Center opened in May 2010.[15] The center is the first LEED-certified building in the Diocese of Orange and in Rancho Santa Margarita. In August 2011, the school opened its new $10.3 million 2-story, LEED-certified academic building, that houses a permanent 3,700 square foot television studio, new counseling offices and ASP classrooms, and a second story completely devoted to World Language classrooms. A "Talon Theatre" replaced the "Eagle Dome" that is currently used for talent productions.

Admissions

Admission to Santa Margarita Catholic High School is based on Academic transcripts, activities, and the High School placement test. The results of the exam are used to help place students in the most appropriate classes for their freshman year.[16][17] The admissions process includes: the application process, review of academic transcripts, review of standardized testing results, recommendation letters from the students' Math teacher, English Teacher, and Principal/School Counselor, and participation in activities. Prospective Students are encouraged to shadow a current SMCHS student. Incoming freshman students spend the day at Santa Margarita with a current SMCHS freshman with similar interests.

Curriculum

A variety of courses is offered to students, which gives each student the opportunity to take courses fit to his/her individual strengths.[18] SMCHS offers numerous Honors courses, Advanced Placement courses, an International Baccalaureate program, an Interdisciplinary Triad Program, and an Auxiliary Studies Program for students with mild learning differences. Along with this curriculum, SMCHS also offers a Model United Nations (MUN)[19] program as part of the Honors History department and an Arts and Dance program that encompasses various branches of the performing arts and art classes.[20]

The spiritual aspect of Santa Margarita is developed within students through religious education classes, school wide masses, and various retreats throughout the year. The retreat experience culminates with Kairos, a retreat specifically for seniors. Each student also works to fulfill Christian Service projects each year which are undertaken in the students' religion classes.[21]

SMCHS's graduation requirements prepares students to be involved citizens of the world. Students must accrue a minimum of 270 credits of course work to graduate from SMCHS. Included within credits completed satisfactorily are the following course requirements:[22]

Students are expected to meet all Christian Service obligations before graduation. SMCHS provides students with the opportunity to be involved with different Campus Ministry activities. There are grade level retreats and campus retreats, Kairos, Peer Ministry, and several school wide masses throughout the year.[23]

Extracurricular activities

SMCHS has several extra-curricular activities on campus.[24] These activities include ASB/Student Council, Color Guard, Drama Productions, Mock Trial, and Pep Squad.

Co-curricular activities: Choir, Dance Team, Debate and Argument, Band (Eagle Regiment), Eagle Television (ETV Public Address Morning Announcements), Journalism (The Eagle Eye Newspaper), Model United Nations, Mock Trial, Orchestra, and Yearbook.[25]

Athletics

Santa Margarita Catholic High School's athletic teams, known as the Eagles, compete in the Trinity League. SMCHS also offers club sports including ice hockey[26] and equestrian. Since 1991, the Eagles have captured 187 league titles, 56 CIF titles, four Southern California Regional titles and 8 State Champion titles. In addition to those team successes, SMCHS has produced over 51 individual CIF Champions and over 38 CIF Players of the Year.[27] has produced many distinguished athletes such as NBA All-Star Klay Thompson, Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, Olympic gold medalist and winner of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Amy Rodriguez, Outland Trophy recipient Kris Farris, Buffalo Sabres first-round draft pick Ryan Johnson, and recipient of the Walter Payton Award and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran.[13]

SMCHS participates in 15 sports: football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, water polo, cross country, golf, tennis, wrestling, baseball, softball, lacrosse, ice hockey, track and field, and swimming.

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Veteran Educator Tapped to Lead Orange Catholic Schools". Orange County Catholic. 17 May 2018.
  2. "Santa Margarita Welcomes Alumnus as President". Santa Margarita Catholic High School. 17 August 2014. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-04-10. Retrieved 2016-02-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Staff Directory | Santa Margarita Catholic High School". Archived from the original on 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
  5. "Fast Facts - Santa Margarita Catholic High School". Santa Margarita Catholic High School.
  6. WASC-ACS. "WASC-Accrediting Commission for Schools". Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  7. "Explore Santa Margarita Catholic High School". Niche.
  8. "U.S. high school rankings by state — Most challenging schools". Washington Post.
  9. ""The Eagle Eye Advisor- Student Newspaper"". Archived from the original on 2011-07-28.
  10. "Tuition & Fees – Business Office – Santa Margarita Catholic High School". Archived from the original on 2017-03-22. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
  11. "Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange Catholic Schools". rcbo.org. Archived from the original on 2010-08-30.
  12. Ritchie, Erika L. (September 8, 2012). "Quarter-century of achievement". The Orange County Register. p. Local 3.
  13. "SMCHS History". smhs.org. Archived from the original on 2010-06-13.
  14. "Seniors get $19.3 million in scholarship offers". ocregister.com.
  15. "Bishop blesses $8.7 million athletic facility". ocregister.com.
  16. "Placement Exam". smhs.org. Archived from the original on 2010-06-13.
  17. "Admissions Process and Application". smhs.org. Archived from the original on 2010-06-13.
  18. "Santa Margarita Catholic offers academic diversity". ocregister.com.
  19. "Students return from Paris with awards". ocregister.com.
  20. "Santa Margarita Catholic High School". Archived from the original on 2010-06-13. Retrieved 2010-07-27., Academic Programs
  21. "Religious Education and Formation".
  22. "Graduation Requirements". smhs.org. Archived from the original on 2010-06-13.
  23. "Campus Ministry". smhs.org. Archived from the original on 2011-07-28.
  24. "Extra-Curricular Activities". smhs.org. Archived from the original on 2010-06-13.
  25. "Co-Curricular Activities". smhs.org. Archived from the original on 2010-06-13.
  26. "Three OC high schools join Anaheim Ducks' hockey league".
  27. "Athletics". smhs.org. Archived from the original on 2007-11-03.
  28. Wright, Lew (November 12, 2013). "WSU Football: Mike Leach Says Some Cougs Are Catching On". AllCougdUp.com. FanSided. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  29. Erika Figge bio Archived 2012-03-05 at the Wayback Machine.
  30. Brian Finneran bio.
  31. Jim Seimas, "Teen Hossler earns way into our hearts at U.S. Open", Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 18, 2012.
  32. "Nick Meyer Amateur, College, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  33. Carson Palmer bio.
  34. Mark Restelli bio Archived 2009-07-08 at the Wayback Machine.
  35. Amy Rodriguez bio.
  36. "Trayce Thompson Stats, Fantasy & News | MLB.com". MLB.com.
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