Eagle Vision: The SMCHS Admissions NewsletterMay 2014
In This Issue
SM Nationally Ranked
Math Placement
Catholic Verification
Student Registrations
Class of '18 Webpage
Spring Sports
Dance Team Tryouts
Apply to be an Eagle
Shadow Days
Admissions Video
New Eagle Head

 

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Welcome to the 9th Edition of Eagle Vision for the 2013-2014 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 

  

 

Santa Margarita Highest Ranked Catholic High School in Orange County
Annual Washington Post rankings are in for 2014 and SMCHS Ranks as #38 Private High School in the United States
Washington Post

The Washington Post released their latest rankings on the best academic high schools in the nation.  The Post has been compiling these rankings for the past several years, and once again, Santa Margarita Catholic High School is being recognized as one of the top high schools in the United States.  

Overall, SMCHS ranks as the #38  private high school in the U.S. out of the approximately 7000 private high schools in America.  When you include all 20,000+ high schools, both public and private, SM ranks as the #374  high school.  Here in Orange County, Santa Margarita is the top Catholic high school in the county and the 6th overall high school out of the 130 public and private high schools.

The Washington Post creates their rankings based on the school's participation in rigorous academic programs such as the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.  For more information on the Post ranking system and the rankings themselves, please click here.


Math Placement Tests Ongoing for Incoming Freshmen Class



Incoming freshmen students are encouraged to sign up for and take the Algebra 2 placement test in May.  If you would like to place into Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 honors as a freshman, the results of this exam will be used to help us determine which students are placed into Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 honors. To register for one of these math exams please click here.  

Remaining dates for the Algebra 2 Placement Test are:
  • Wednesday May 7th - 3:30 - 4:45 
  • Thursday May 8th - 3:30 - 4:45 
  • Monday May 12th- 3:30 - 4:45 
  • Wednesday May 14th - 3:30 - 4:45
For information about the exam and the content of the exam, please check out our website here.

 

Catholic Parish Verification Forms Being Accepted
Catholic Tuition Rate Received with Receipt of Catholic Verification from your Parish Pastor
Diocese of Orange

For students beginning school next Fall, if your family is registered at a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Orange, your family will receive the Catholic tuition discount by asking your pastor to sign and complete the Parish Verification Form.  The Parish Verification form may be downloaded here.

The determination of Catholic verification takes place at the parishes (not at the high school), so your pastor will be able make the determination, sign the form and send it directly to our business office. Once this form is received, your family will receive the Catholic tuition discount for the 2014-2015 school year.


Registrations for the Class of 2018 Being Accepted



If you have received your acceptance packet in the mail and your login instructions for our Parent Portal (username and password), you may now register your student for the school year beginning in the Fall of 2014.  

To begin the online registration process, please follow the link to the Parent Portal here.

Seats for the Freshmen Class of 2018 are filling up quickly and we are rapidly reaching capacity, so please register as soon as you can to guarantee a seat for the upcoming school year. Once the incoming freshmen class has reached capacity, all registrations received after that point will be placed on a waiting list.  


Reminders for All:

  1. Once your student completes the 8th Grade, please ask your school to send us your Final Report Card
  2. Families registered at a Catholic parish are asked to have their Pastor complete and send to SMCHS your Parish Verification Form. If you need another Verification Form, please download it here.
 
Webpage Just For You!
For Class of 2018 Incoming Freshman Students Who Have Been Accepted to SMCHS


If your student has been accepted to the incoming freshman Class of 2018, we have a webpage on our website just for you.  This website contains answers to questions and provides information about what takes place next on your journey to becoming an Eagle.  We will also be updating this website over the next several months to keep you informed of the latest information on starting your high school years as an Eagle.

To check out this webpage, please click here

Spring Sports Season Racing to the Championship Season
Spring Sports Teams Highly Ranked in Orange County


Santa Margarita Spring Season sports teams are nearing the ends of their season after a highly successful regular season.  For most teams, CIF playoffs or championships will be taking place in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned to see how well our Eagles teams do.

Baseball--#2 in the Trinity League
Boys Golf--#3 in the Trinity League
Boys Lacrosse--#6 in Orange County
Girls Lacrosse--#2 in League
Softball--#3 in the Trinity League
Boys Swimming--#4 in Orange County, #1 in the Trinity League
Girls Swimming--#1 in Orange County, #1 in the Trinity League 
Boys Tennis--#7 in Orange County, Trinity League Champions 
Girls Track and Field--#6 in Orange County
Boys Track and Field--#4 in Orange County
Boys Volleyball--#10 in Orange County, #1 in the Trinity League
Dance Team Tryout Information
Auditions on Saturday May 10th for Nationally Ranked Dance Team  


 

 

Saturday, May 10, 2014

8:00AM- Class Placement Audition (for dancers interested in Intermediate or Advanced Dance)

9:00AM-11:30AM- Dance Production/Dance Team Audition (dancers who are not placed in Dance Production will be recommended for another class level)

 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Dance Team Audition

Who can audition?
Anyone that has a history of formal dance training can audition.  We do compete at an advanced level so it is recommended that you have been trained extensively in ballet and jazz. 

 

What do I wear to the audition?
We ask that you wear form fitting dance attire. No baggy pants or t-shirts.  Hair should be pulled back and neatly pinned away from your face.  Jazz or ballet shoes are required.  No street shoes are allowed on our dance floor!

 

What does the audition consist of?
We will lead you through a short warm-up and then proceed to across-the-floor combinations.  Across the floor will consist of jazz walks, chainé/piqué turns, pirouettes, battements, turns in a la seconde, and leaps. We will then teach you a short dance combination that you will perform for the judges in small groups.

 

Who are the judges?
The judges are professional dancers/choreographers from the Orange County/Los Angeles area. 

 

Do the existing Dance Team members have to audition?
Yes!  Every year the current Dance Team members must re-audition.  The judges do not know which dancers have been on the team.  Everyone is evaluated equally.

 

How many girls make the team?
We do not have a set number for the team.  Each year we take the most qualified dancers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your interest in the SMCHS Dance Program. Please contact Jill Schroeder, Director of Dance, with any questions you may have at Schroederj@smhs.org.


 

Applications For the Class of 2018
For Freshmen Starting in the 2014-2015 School Year

While space in the Freshman Class of 2018 is rapidly filling up, you may still apply to the school.  Once our freshman class has reached capacity, which may occur in the next few weeks, any acceptances at that point will be placed on a Waiting List and incoming registrations will be accepted on a space-availability basis.

If you wish to begin the application process, please begin by completing an online application here.  

Once you submit an online application, we will ask that you send us the following to complete your application:
  • $50 application fee (check payable to SMCHS, please mail to Admissions Office)
  • 7th and 8th Grade Transcripts 
  • Standardized Testing Results 
  • Immunization Record
  • 3 Recommendation Letters (from your 8th Grade Math teacher, English teacher, and Principal/Counselor)
  • Parish Verification Form (if your family is attending a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Orange)
Once your application is complete, our Admissions committee will meet to review your application for an acceptance decision.  

 

Last Shadow Day for 2013-2014
May 9th is Final Shadow Day for This Year
  
 
Interested in finding out what a typical day of school is like at SMCHS? A student Shadow Day may be the perfect way to learn if becoming an Eagle is the right fit for you.

Shadow Days occur on scheduled days throughout the school year. Shadow Days typically begin at 8:15 am and end at 1:45 pm.  We will also provide lunch for your student.

To set up a Shadow Day for your student, please find a date that fits your schedule by clicking here and then call Rhonda Ury in the Admissions office at 949-766-6076.

Shadow Days fill up quickly, so please call us at least 3 days before the shadow day to reserve your spot.
  
What's Your Santa Margarita?
Santa Margarita Debuts New Admissions Video

Santa Margarita Catholic High School proudly announces the release of the new Eagles Admissions video. Please click the video below to check out the latest chapter in the Santa Margarita story!    

What's Your Santa Margarita?
What's Your Santa Margarita?

 
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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