St. Margaret's Episcopal School

Posted: December 4, 2025

By far, the best school in California.

Posted: December 4, 2025

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Posted: June 4, 2025

They put on a good show when it comes to the school being a community, however, that is very far from the truth. The more money you have the better the outcome for your child here. If you are trying to enroll multiple kids in the school, good luck, as they are known not to take sibling connections into consideration in the application process, which for some may be a plus but most parents find this insanely frustrating.

The students are constantly stressed out about academics, especially the upper school, when in reality the academics aren’t really any better than the surrounding schools. You may have a better chance at getting into a choice college just by going to another high school since all of the students and up applying to the same schools.

The athletics are mediocre with mediocre coaches and leadership. They love to talk about how they have “the best coaches in Orange County,” but that is nowhere near the truth.its pretty much the bottom of the barrel when it comes to athletics. If sports are important to your child skip this school. The students don’t show up to the games and usually expect their teams to lose.

It is definitely not worth $40,000+ (that number is constantly growing) a year. There are other private schools in the area that are actually worth the money. The school feels more like a status symbol for the parents than a place where culture and values are important. The campus is beautiful so that’s a plus.

Posted: June 4, 2025

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Posted: January 8, 2024

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Posted: January 8, 2024

Learning: The education is not better than most OC public schools. Compare where each of the student of last year's graduating class went to college to where kids from local public high schools get admitted - not very different.

Teaching - no formal training is ever required in private schools. A revolving door of teachers,

Students and Parents - Entitled attitudes (both parents and students), quick to label other children, zero tolerance for individuality and to individuals with original ideas and views, expensive without warrant makes such parents and students feel entitled to feel superior

A lot of students who just don't want to be there but are forced to because of their parents.

Posted: January 8, 2024

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Posted: April 21, 2023

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Posted: April 21, 2023

My child was a student at SMES from Kindergarten through grade 12. In all that time, I felt they were supported by a majority of the faculty. While no school is perfect, I feel the education received, both academically and socially, was of a high standard and prepared them completely for college (grateful for the team of college counsellors). While at St. Margaret's, they had many opportunities not always available at other schools.

Apart from their high standard of academics, the school's arts program is top-notch and their athletics has proven strong, winning several CIF championships over the years. They are also based strongly on service and character-building. And, although an Episcopal school, they never crammed religion down the students' throats, accepting students of all faiths (or none) and denominations.

I was impressed with how quickly the school prepared and pivoted to remote learning within only a few days of the State's lockdown in March 2020. They were also one of the first schools to return to in-person learning (September 2020), with the option to continue remotely, if so desired. Everything was navigated with much thought. Parents were clamoring to register their children at SMES because of this.

I highly recommend this school to anyone who is looking for a strong college-prep education for their child.

Posted: April 21, 2023

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Posted: February 14, 2020

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Posted: February 14, 2020

Extremely disappointed with the administration! Sad to know a parent with money can create such force as to persuade administration to dismiss a teacher of 18+ years!! This teacher is loved by students, has shown dedication to their program by updating curriculum to make it more relevant, and has lived their life in what we as Christians all aspire to! If I were teaching at this school, I'd definitely be looking to teach elsewhere as I'd always be looking over my shoulder asking, "Am I next?"

Posted: March 25, 2019

Overall I felt St Margaret's could have prepared our daughter better for college and that they were more interested in their image then what was best for individual child.

Posted: March 25, 2019

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Posted: March 25, 2019

St Margaret's the thrived under the leadership of headmaster Hurlbut but Moseley hasn't been the same since his departure. The school is more interested in money and image then students

Posted: March 25, 2019

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Posted: November 11, 2017

Will Moseley is ill-equipped to teach or oversee an educational system

Posted: November 11, 2017

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Posted: April 26, 2017

The environment allows students to thrive, both educationally and mentally. The school encourages many important character traits.

Posted: April 26, 2017

The homework load is definitely challenging enough, but not too much, it prepares students for the ends level without going overboard and stressing students

Posted: April 26, 2017

I'm always excited to come to school because of the great experience I've received here for the past ten years. I've made friendships that will lags a lifetime and learned lifelong educational skills that have continually improved. The campus is a gorgeous place to learn and the teachers truly care for their students in every way.

Posted: January 27, 2017

My son is very intelligent and is given homework that is effective and never busy work. I can't stand busy work and neither can he.

Posted: January 27, 2017

Our family has experienced public and private Capistrano Unified schools and I can safely say St. Margaret's is hands down a phenomenal school. The opportunities are boundless and good character development is also stressed. The academics are rigorous but so is support of extracurricular activities. They do a great job of communicating their expectations and I truly could not have found a better place for my child. He began there in 6th grade and will graduate high school next year.

Posted: January 20, 2016

A revolving door of teachers plague this school. This has been a problem with all three of our children attending. I have an eighth grader, a sixth, and a third, who all have had first year teachers multiple times. This has lead to problems each year the children have advanced since these teachers had extremely limited experience. The result is that the children have not been properly prepared for the following year, and have struggled each time they have advanced from another new, inexperienced teacher. Money is not a problem for the school, but clearly they are not paying their teachers enough to stay, or care. After 9 years with this school, I am not aware of anything that makes this school any better than any other Orange County school, public or private. Tuition goes up every year, roughly 1000.00 per child. So at 21000.00 per year, per child (this year), it just really doesn't make any sense. I am just not seeing ANY real difference at all.

Posted: June 21, 2015

Overall good. The new Head of School will take SMES to new levels of education. My son made nice friends; friendly and polite kids are the norm.

Posted: June 21, 2015

They are always improving and getting better. I would say that the teachers from circa 2011 that were not so great are being replaced with better teachers.

Posted: June 21, 2015

Speaking from an Upper School experience, not a lot of homework as the kids have free blocks and can study during the school day.

Posted: June 21, 2015

Episcopal traditions, which are the foundation of the school. The Head of School, Will Moseley, expects honesty from all the faculty and staff of the school and this contributes to the mindset that these character traits are necessary to complete the student.

Posted: January 20, 2015

As a parent of a current SMES student I can confidently say Saint Margarets is the total package. Teachers and staff set high standards for the students and are incredibly supportive. The school strives to build bonds between families all with the goal of giving their children the highest educational goals possible. The school also has security roaming around at all entrances on their bicycles and parents must wear an ID badge to enter. The resources the students have at their fingertips allow for scholastic, interpersonal and atheletic learning to happen without boundaries. Everyday after drop off I know that my child's time will be used to its fullest potential. There is never a worry of wasting time, busy work, waiting in long lines, waiting for things to be passed out. The school supports learning for each and every individual student.

Posted: June 12, 2014

One strength of St. Margaret's is the amount of resources it has that is used fairly well to enrich the student and parent experience. Unlike public schools that suffer from government cuts, private schools like this seem to be able to avoid financial issues in taking care of student experience. Another strength of St. Margaret's is school safety. The school makes it a priority to partake in fire, earthquake, and shooter drills to enhance student safety. The biggest reason I wouldn't send my kids to st. Margaret's, as a former student of St. Margaret's, when I get older is because simply, the experience is not worth the tuition. There are some great faculty at St. Margaret's: some. There are so many small infractions hidden in the rule culture of St. Margaret's that it almost would serve better as a disciplinary institution, such as the infamous "no-hugging" policy enacted in the middle school. Many of these rules allow for a school that does not socially prepare students for college. Academic benefits and opportunities are present at times, but disadvantages exist as well. St. Margaret's ultra-competitive nature(in class) hinders communication, teamwork, and group work skills.

Posted: July 22, 2012

I could not imagine a better environment for my child. The mission of SMES is to "educate the hearts and minds of young people for lives of learning, leadership, and service," and that is EXACTLY what SMES does. My children have attended SMES since preschool. They are bright, inquisitive, kind, creative, respectful, and compassionate. The character development and whole-child education is impeccable. Go TARTANS!

Posted: April 12, 2012

My five year old tested in the 90th percentile for language in the country and average to middle of the road in all other areas. We were told that she was not ready for St. Margarets school yet because most five year olds currently attending, " hit the ground running" by the time they arrive on campus. I was shocked that my child was not admitted however I'm shure the program is without question a good one.

Posted: January 24, 2012

I love SMES. This is my first year here as a freshman and it is so much better than the public school here in orange county. I came from the CUSD school system and it is so much different. The students are so much more respectful to the teachers and to the campus. The teachers help in any way they can but still make us be independent. There is a lot of homework, but everyone one is involved with extracurricular activities at school. The teachers are devoted to us learning and so is the entire staff. Everyone is so helpful and I love it much more than the public school systems in orange county.

Posted: October 4, 2010

We are very happy with St Margaret's as a school. Our only complaint is with the arts, and sports. Only the best, are allowed to participate in musicals, and at games. Being a Christian school, everyone should be given a chance. Winning is not everything.

Posted: September 30, 2010

If you can get into this highly selective school you are lucky. It is universally known as the most academic and desirable school in Orange County attracting the most intelligent students as well as many from well known families. The atmosphere is amazing- ethics and values are stressed in conjunction with an exceptional academic curriculum that sets it apart from the rest. The facility is breathtaking and a new middle school and performing arts center will be complete by the end of next year. Set amongst rolling hills- it is the kind of environment I have always dreamed of for my kids. The kids who graduate from this school are sought after everywhere, as they are bright, well spoken and tend to have developed a high ethical code to move them forward in life. Simply the best and worth every penny.

Posted: May 29, 2010

We just left SMES and already miss it. I do not see how anyone could have their children go this school and not notice the level of excellence achieved at all levels. Great Teachers, Great Staff. Great Leadership, Tremendous college counseling...it is clearly one of the top schools in the country. I want to add that it stresses Honor in the curriculum and that is what we liked the most about it, our kids coming home and wanting to talk about what it is to be honorable. We were low income parents but our kid's experienced no prejudice, were given ample financial aid, and the oldest even became valedictorian. SMES is objective, high quality and caring. You can not find a better school in Southern California.

Posted: April 20, 2010

I ADORE SMES!!!! It is honestly the best school i have EVER attended! It has soooo much to offer and everyone is nice. The extra curiculums are AMAZING!!! I have only been going there for 2 years and i never want to leave!!!! I LOVE YOU SMES!!!!!!!!!!! <3

Posted: February 23, 2010

My son has attended St. Margarets for the past 5 years. The school enviroment is excellent, teachers are great, but better education could be found elsewhere. There has been many turnovers including four principles in the last five years, but they are trying to improve. Depite the expensive tution, we are constantly asked to donate.

Posted: December 28, 2007

Posted: October 3, 2007