Eagle Vision: The SMCHS Admissions NewsletterJune 2013
In This Issue
Class of 2013
Class of 2017
Online Registration
SM National Ranking
Athletic Update
Performing Arts Update
Financial Aid Process
Applications
Tours
New '13-'14 Calendar
Parish Verification
Bus Routes
New Eagle Head

 

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St. Margaret close upWelcome to the Tenth and final Edition of Eagle Vision for the 2012-2013 School Year. Eagle Vision is my way of communicating with our local schools, parishes, and prospective students about Admissions events and the latest news from Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

                                                Ron Blanc
                                                Admissions Director
Graduating Class of 2013 Soars to New Heights 

376 Graduating Seniors Off To New Challenges After Highly Accomplished 4 Years at Santa Margarita Catholic High School

 

The incoming freshmen Class of 2017 is about to embark on their high school adventure just as the graduating Class of 2013 leaves our school full of memories, accomplishments, and new dreams for success in college.

 

Below is a listing of just some of the amazing achievements members of the Class of 2013 were able to experience this year at SMCHS:

 

  • $30,825,648 in offered college scholarships--the highest in school history and one of the highest amounts of any high school in California (an average of $81,983 offered per student)
  • 100% of graduates will attend a college or university in the Fall
  • 43,300 combined hours of Christian service to the community
  • 40 Student/Athletes to compete at the collegiate level next Fall
  • 4 National Merit Semi-Finalists and 1 National Merit Finalist--more than any other Catholic High School in Orange County
  • 35 Students graduating with an International Baccalaureate Diploma and 125 Students graduating with an International Baccalaureate Certificate
  • 22% of the Class of 2013 graduated with a 4.0 GPA or higher
  • 8 League Championships in 2013 (Girls Tennis, Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, Girls Water Polo, Boys Swimming, Girls Swimming, Boys Tennis, Ice Hockey)
  • 1 CIF Championship in 2013 (Girls Water Polo)
  • 1 State Championship in 2013 (Ice Hockey)
  • 2 National Championships in 2013 (Ice Hockey and Varsity Songleaders)

 

 

 


Class of 2017 Central! 

Got Questions?  We Have Answers!

 

For those incoming freshmen who have registered for the 2013-2014 school year--welcome!

 

While the new school year is several months away, many of you may have questions about what to expect or what is up next.  Here are links on our website and answers to many of the frequently asked questions:

 

 

Do I have a summer reading assignment?  Answer here

 

How can I participate in a Summer Sports Camp?  Answer here

 

When can I purchase my new textbooks, and how?  Answer here

 

Where do I purchase my uniforms and when can I buy them?  Answer here

 

How can I get involved with the Eagle Regiment this summer?  Answer here

 

What is scheduled for Talon Theater and Performing Arts this summer?  Answer here

 

How do I sign up for the cashless lunch purchasing system?  Answer here 

 

When will I be receiving my freshman class schedule?  Schedules will be mailed home at the end of May/the start of June.

 

When will I be getting my locker assignment?   Lockers and locker combinations will be listed on your class schedule that is given when you pick up your textbook purchase in late summer.

 

When is Freshman Orientation?  Wednesday, August 13 2013 

 

  Class of 2017


Online Registrations for the 2013-2014 School Year 

Incoming Freshmen (Class of 2017) and All Class Registrations Continue

 

Santa Margarita's Parent Portal is open and registrations for the 2013-2014 school year are being accepted.  If you would like to reserve a seat for the Freshman Class of 2017, we ask that you login to your Parent Portal and complete your online registration.

 

Once your student is accepted to SMCHS, please use the username and password that we emailed to you to login to the Parent Portal to complete your registration.

 

Access to our Parent Portal is located here.

 

The $550 registration fee is paid via an E-check. 

 

 Online Registration


Washington Post Again Ranks SM As a Top Private School 
For the 2nd Consecutive Year, SM Ranks Amongst the Best in the U.S.
  

The Washington Post published its High School Challenge to rank the top public and private high schools in the nation.  The High School Challenge has Santa Margarita rated as the #32 private high school in the U.S., higher than any other Catholic high school in Orange County.

 
The annual rankings are based on a school's academic performance on national testing such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate testing, as it is a reflection of how well a school prepares its students for the academic rigor of college.
 

For more information about the High School Challenge and Santa Margarita's outstanding ranking, please see here.

 

 
   Washington Post
  

Eagle Student/Athletes Sign with Nation's Top Universities 
Class of 2013 Sees 40 Student/Athletes Continue their Playing Careers in College 

The nation's best colleges and universities enjoyed a strong relationship with students from Santa Margarita as 40 graduating seniors signed to play at schools from coast to coast.  Here is the list of students and where they will be playing next year, and for photos of each student, please click here.
 
Beau Hossler--University of Texas--Golf
Matt Murphy--Cal State Fullerton--Golf
Emily Loughlin--University of California, Berkeley--Water Polo
Morgan Martinez--University of California, Irvine--Water Polo
Jackie Villarreal--San Diego State University--Water Polo
Tessa deRecat--Sonoma State University--Water Polo
Dane Petersen--University of California, San Diego--Water Polo
Stephen Riggins IV--University of California, Los Angeles--Water Polo
Riley Smith--Loyola Marymount University--Water Polo
Garrett Parsons--Mercer University--Lacrosse
Scott Gelbart--Southwestern University--Baseball
Austin Ponzi--Long Beach State University--Baseball
Andrew Thompson--Washington University, St. Louis--Baseball
Chelsea Carey--Gonzaga University--Soccer
Christian Thierjung--University of California, Berkeley--Soccer
Jennifer Rupey, San Diego State University--Soccer
Kailey Hackett--University of California, Santa Barbara--Soccer
Karli Ladwig--University of Kentucky--Soccer
Lauren Rodriguez--University of California, Los Angeles--Soccer
Niki Miyashiro--Ohio State University--Soccer
Samantha Trenary--University of California, Berkeley--Soccer
Taylor Wulf--University of Pittsburgh--Soccer
Jennifer Donegan--Texas Christian University--Soccer
Connor O'Brien--University of Washington--Football
Dane Crane--University of Washington--Football
Johnny Stanton--University of Nebraska--Football
Nick Begg--Arizona State University--Football
Reid Andrew--Wesleyan University--Football
River Cracraft--Washington State University--Football
Riley Sorenson--Washington State University--Football
Ryan Wolpin--University of Northern Colorado--Football
Danielle Geiger--University of California, Irvine--Volleyball
Sofia Lavin--University of San Diego--Volleyball
Sarah Maher--Emory University--Volleyball
Brittany Ptak--Princeton University--Volleyball
Kyley Klem--Concordia University, Portland--Volleyball
Taylor Whittingham--University of Southern California--Volleyball
Natalie Grabowski--Boston University--Track and Field
Jason Engel--Air Force Academy--Track and Cross Country
Caitlin Heinly--Seattle Pacific University--Basketball
 
   

Talon Theater Impresses at 2013 Cappie Awards 
Performing Arts Department's Successful Year Results in a Landslide of Recognition
  

The Eagle Talon Theater capped off their 2012-2013 performance season with a successful run at the 2013 Cappie Awards.  The Cappie Awards are a peer recognition program where students are nominated for their performances in high school plays and musicals.  

 

Eagle students took home 6 awards for their outstanding performances this year.  Considering that over 50 high school shows were nominated this year, the talented students of Santa Margarita were well-recognized for their efforts this year. 

 

This year's award winners were:

 

Disney's Beauty and the Beast took home three awards:
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Grayson Cornwell as Gaston
BEST COMEDIC ACTOR IN A MUSICAL - Tyler Cotner as Lumiere
BEST FEMALE VOCALIST IN A MUSICAL - Andrea Martinez as Mrs. Potts

 

The Miracle Worker also was awarded in three categories:
BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Ruthie Flynn as Annie Sullivan
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Joanna Pisano as Helen Keller
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Joanna Pisano

For more details on the results of the 2013 Cappie Awards, please see here.

 

 
   Cappies Logo
  

Financial Assistance Applications for 2013-14 School Year 

Santa Margarita offers need-based financial assistance to our families each Spring.  The application process begins with an online application at our school's Admissions webpage.  While the initial deadlines for Financial Assistance have passed and financial assistance awards have been given, we will continue to accept applications until all funds have been distributed.

Santa Margarita will use F.A.C.T.S. to initially collect the financial assistance application and the supporting financial aid documents.  To complete a financial assistance application, a family will be asked to submit the following:

  • An online school application for your student (school applications available here)
  • 2012 Income Tax Return (faxed to F.A.C.T.S.)
  • 2012 W-2's (faxed to F.A.C.T.S.)
  • Santa Margarita Questionnaire (up to 5 reasons why your family is requesting financial assistance) faxed to F.A.C.T.S.

Each year, Santa Margarita provides approximately $1 million in financial assistance and currently 1 out of every 5 families are receiving some form of assistance.


  
Financial Aid

Applications for 2013-2014 Available
SMCHS Accepting Applications for the Freshman Class of 2017 

 

Applications for the 2013-2014 school year are available online here.
When you submit an online application, the admissions process for your son or daughter begins.  To complete your student's application, we ask that you complete the following:
  • $50 application fee (check payable to SMCHS may be sent to our Admissions Office)
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation (from a Math Teacher, English Teacher, and Principal)--letter forms may be found at our online application site
  • 7th and 8th Grade Transcripts 
  • Standardized Testing Scores (for public school students, please send the detailed STAR testing report that shows a series of bar graphs on both sides of the test report)
  • Immunization Record
Once your application is complete and we have received the results of your Placement Exam, our Admissions Committee will review your application and mail you their acceptance decision.
Campus Tours Available

See the "Most Beautiful High School Campus in Orange County"

 

Individual family tours are now available to see our college-style campus and state-of-the-art facilities.  To set up a tour, please call Rhonda Ury, the Admissions Secretary, at (949) 766-6076 (or e-mail at uryr@smhs.org) to schedule a date and time that will be convenient for your family to tour our school. 

 

We look forward to providing your family with a personalized tour of our campus, and to answer any questions you may have about the Eagle family. 
Front Gates
New School Calendar for 2013-2014 
School Year Will Begin Next Fall on August 13, 2013 To Provide Students with a More Beneficial Academic Calendar

With more and more high schools switching to an earlier starting date, Santa Margarita announced that the 2013-2014 school year will begin earlier on August 13, 2013 and end sooner on May 31, 2014.

This more collegiate model allows students to complete their first semester and their first semester final exams before Christmas vacation.  Students will not have to worry about first semester projects or studying for semester exams over their Christmas break.

This new calendar will also provide our students and teachers more class instructional time to prepare for the annual Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams that begin at the start of May.

For more information about the new calendar and the reasons behind the decision, please read a letter from our Principal, Mr. Ray Dunne here
  
August 13, 2013

Catholic Parish Verification For All New Students 

Families Registered at a Catholic Parish Asked to Complete This Form

  

Students who are applying to Santa Margarita that are from families registered at an Orange County Catholic parish are asked to send a Parish Verification Form to their pastor.  Your pastor is required to sign this form in order for your family to receive the Catholic student tuition discount.  

 

Your pastor will forward the form to our Admissions office where the form will be added to your student's application file.  

 

If you have not submitted the Parish Verification Form to your local parish, please download the form here and provide to your parish pastor.  

2012 Catholic Schools Week Logo

 

Santa Margarita Adds 2nd Bus Route 
New North County Route Joins South County Route Providing Student Transportation To and From School
  

A new SMCHS bus route to communities to the west and north of our campus has joined our highly successful South Route for the 2012-2013 school year. Students from the communities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Irvine now have a bus route dedicated to families in their neighborhoods.

 

For more information on specific pick up and drop off locations for both the North Route and the South Route, please see our Bus Transportation webpage here.

 

  
  

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Thank you for your interest in Santa Margarita Catholic High School. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (949) 766-6076 or admissions@smhs.org .
 
In Eagle Spirit,

Ron Blanc, Admissions Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School

email: admissions@smhs.org