Santa Margarita Catholic High School

What Santa Margarita Catholic High School does

Santa Margarita Catholic High School is a coeducational Catholic college-preparatory secondary school located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, founded in 1987 and operated under the Diocese of Orange. It serves approximately 1,600 students in grades 9-12 through a curriculum built around the International Baccalaureate programme (certified since 1997), Advanced Placement coursework, the Options Program (launched 2020) for students with learning differences, the Eagle Online Academy for remote learners, and an extensive athletics and arts program. The school supports its residential and online programs with a 17-city bus transportation network and a Microsoft-based technology platform that has sustained Microsoft Showcase School designation for 11 consecutive years.

The school's organizational structure recently expanded with the appointment of Father Matthew Maxwell as the institution's first Rector (2025) and the creation of an Assistant Principal of Innovation role alongside an AI Task Force charged with governing AI policy and classroom integration. Auxiliary programmes include the Caritas Christi Center (opened 2022) for ministry and community service, a 13,000+ alumni network, and a partnership with JR Education Group supporting a roughly 6% international student cohort alongside the dominant domestic enrollment.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition — with international tuition disclosed at a $41,000+ tier and domestic tuition not publicly itemized — supplemented by summer programmes, auxiliary fees, athletics and camp revenue, and philanthropic contributions. The institution operates as a nonprofit diocesan school rather than a commercial enterprise, with all revenue reinvested into programming, facilities, and the AI and online-academy buildout described above.

Name

Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Legal name

Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Website

https://smhs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Coeducational Catholic college-preparatory high school in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, serving 1,600+ students through IB, AP, Options, Eagle Online Academy, and broad athletics programs under the Diocese of Orange.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

Keywords

• College preparatory education
• Catholic secondary education
• International baccalaureate program
• Advanced placement courses
• Performing arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Rancho Santa Margarita

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Domestic Student Tuition: Tuition-based revenue model for domestic students. Financial assistance available.
2. International Student Tuition: International students pay $41,000 tuition plus additional fees including application ($350), technology ($875), registration ($1,500), international student support class ($3,000 if needed), e-books ($700-$1,000), uniforms ($300-$500), medical coverage ($500-$1,000), and graduation fee ($475 for seniors). International students are not eligible for tuition assistance.
3. Summer Programs Revenue: Revenue from athletic camps, summer enrichment courses, theatre summer conservatory, and MUN bootcamp.
4. Campus Store Sales: Eagles Nest Campus Store sells uniforms, spirit wear, and school supplies.
5. Transportation Fees: Bus transportation service serving 17 cities with associated fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Santa Margarita Catholic High School is a coeducational Catholic college-preparatory high school delivering grades 9-12 education to more than 1,600 students on its 42-acre Rancho Santa Margarita campus. Core offerings include AP and International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma tracks, a One-to-One Tablet PC Program, the Eagle Online Academy for asynchronous fully online enrollment, plus 90+ clubs, 30+ CIF sports, and 61 visual and performing arts courses. Supplemental paid offerings include summer camps, athletic camps, theatre conservatory programs, transportation, and the Eagles Nest Campus Store.

Product overview

Santa Margarita Catholic High School is a Catholic college-preparatory institution offering a comprehensive educational portfolio centered around its core on-campus program supplemented by the Eagle Online Academy for flexible online learning. The school provides academic programs including Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Auxiliary Studies Program (ASP) for students with learning differences, alongside technology integration through its One-to-One Tablet PC Program and Microsoft Showcase School designation. The institution also offers the Talon Academy of Performing Arts (TAPA), Talon Theatre, Eagle Television (ETV), and extensive extracurricular activities including Model United Nations (MUN), robotics, esports, and athletic programs. The school's 42-acre campus includes specialized facilities such as the Eagle Athletic Center, Academic Services Center, and Caritas Christi Center for campus ministry and wellness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Santa Margarita Catholic High School (On-Campus Program) Comprehensive coeducational Catholic college-preparatory high school program for grades 9-12 delivered on the 42-acre Rancho Santa Margarita campus to more than 1,600 students, integrating faith formation, AP and IB academics, 30+ CIF sports, 90+ clubs, and 61 visual and performing arts courses.
• Eagle Online Academy 100% online, asynchronous high school education program for grades 9-12 offering the full SMCHS curriculum and faith-based values, with all courses created and taught by SMCHS faculty, designed for students needing flexible scheduling.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program Academically rigorous IB diploma track available to SMCHS students; SMCHS is one of only five Catholic IB World Schools in California and the only Catholic school in Orange County to offer the IB diploma program.
• Advanced Placement (AP) Program College-level courses offering weighted high school credit and potential college credit through AP examinations across multiple subject areas for SMCHS students.
• Auxiliary Studies Program (ASP) Specialized program for students with documented learning differences requiring accommodations, providing individualized educational support to help each student reach their potential on a diploma track.
• Options Program Non-diploma track program for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities to experience and contribute to the Eagle community, focusing on social integration, life skills development, and community participation.
• Talon Academy of Performing Arts (TAPA) After-school performing arts conservatory program offering training in acting, musical theatre, technical theatre, and dance, including the Triple-Threat Musical Theatre track for students seeking intensive arts training.
• Eagle Youth Camps and Summer Programs Summer enrichment courses, athletic camps, and theatre conservatory programs offered to youth and high school students across various experience levels for an additional fee beyond standard tuition.
• Bus Transportation Service Recurring-fee school bus transportation service covering 17 cities across Orange County for SMCHS students who live beyond walking distance of the campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average SAT 1268 and ACT 28 for Class of 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• GoKidminorOthersSchool carpooling platform partnership. GoKid provides a dedicated, secure carpooling platform exclusively for Santa Margarita families to connect with nearby families to coordinate carpools using the mobile app or website.
• JR Education Group Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomestay services provider for international students. JR Education offers a network of homestay families in Orange County with personal interview and home inspection processes to ensure student safety. Provides rich cultural experiences for international students.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cathedral Catholic High School: Catholic college-preparatory high school in San Diego, CA, within the Diocese of San Diego. Comparable in Catholic college-prep curriculum, IB program offerings, athletics, and mission alignment, serving a similar California Catholic family demographic.
• St. Margaret's Episcopal School: Independent college-preparatory school in San Juan Capistrano, CA, serving grades K-12. Comparable in elite private college-prep positioning, South OC location, premium tuition pricing, and overlap with same affluent Orange County feeder families.
• Mater Dei High School: Catholic college-preparatory high school in Santa Ana, CA, within the Diocese of Orange. Comparable in Catholic identity, college-prep academics, and elite athletic tradition, serving a similar Orange County Catholic family demographic.
• Servite High School: All-male Catholic college-preparatory high school in Anaheim, CA, within the Diocese of Orange. Comparable in Catholic college-prep curriculum, athletic tradition, and admissions demographic overlap, drawing from the same Orange County Catholic market.
• JSerra Catholic High School: Catholic college-preparatory high school in San Juan Capistrano, CA, also operated within the Diocese of Orange. Directly comparable in faith-based mission, college-prep curriculum (IB/AP), athletics program, and South OC feeder market with overlapping admissions geography.
• Bellarmine College Preparatory: Catholic Jesuit college-preparatory high school in San Jose, CA. Comparable in elite Catholic college-prep positioning, rigorous academic profile (IB/AP), extensive athletic program, and reputation as a top-tier California private school.
• Loyola High School Los Angeles: Catholic Jesuit college-preparatory high school in Los Angeles, CA. Comparable in elite Catholic college-prep identity, distinguished alumni outcomes, athletic tradition, and top-tier California private school brand.
• De La Salle High School: Catholic college-preparatory high school in Concord, CA. Comparable in Catholic college-prep mission, college placement outcomes, comprehensive athletic program, and premium-positioned private school operating model.

Regional players

• Crean Lutheran High School: Faith-based college-preparatory high school in Irvine, CA. Comparable in faith-based private college-prep positioning serving South Orange County families, though Lutheran rather than Catholic, with somewhat smaller scale and brand prestige.

Emerging players

• K12 Inc. (Stride Learning): Large-scale online K-12 education provider. Directly comparable to SMCHS's Eagle Online Academy in asynchronous online high school delivery model and full-curriculum structure, representing the addressable competitive set for SMCHS's online growth ambitions beyond its physical campus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SMCHSEagles
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SMCHSEagles
• Facebookfacebook.com/SMCHSEagles
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smchseagles
• Instagraminstagram.com/santamargaritaeagles

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Santa Margarita Catholic High School