Admission

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The application for the 2026-2027 school year is now available!

To get started, create a Finalsite account to access the application. Once the application FORM 1 has been submitted, an individualized checklist of the required application components will be generated in your Finalsite account.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the Admission Office by email or phone 949-661-0108 for more information. We look forward to being in touch and welcoming your family to campus!

Application Steps

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  • Early School

    1. Submit FORM 1 and Application Fee
    2. Submit Parent/Guardian Statement and Developmental Information & Enrollment Preference Form for Early School Playgroup and Assessment experience
    3. Attend Playgroup and Assessment experience
    4. Submit Transcript Request to Current School (if currently attending preschool)
    5. Delegate Teacher Comment Form (if currently attending preschool)

    This year, all applicants for Early School will need to align with the following:

    • Applicants for Early School 3’s: need to be 3 years old prior to July 1.
    • Applicants for Early School 4’s: need to be 4 years old prior to July 1.

    **For families with younger children eager for the St. Margaret’s Early School Program and turning three years old during the summer and fall months (July-October), there is the possibility to consider a three-year Early School commitment. Please be in touch with the Admission Office to find out more about this unique offering.

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  • Lower School

    ** Please know, all Applicants to Kindergarten need to be 5 years old prior to July 1.

    1. Submit FORM 1 and Application Fee
    2. Submit Parent/Guardian Statement
    3. Submit Lower School Student Interest Form (Grades 2-5)
    4. Kindergarten & Grade 1 Applicants:  Attend Playgroup and Assessment experience either in December or January
    5. Grade 2 – Grade 4 Applicants:  Attend in-person ISEE assessment at St. Margaret's in January
    6. Grade 5 Applicants: Register for ISEE to take at home and attend 5th Grade visit experience in January
    7. Submit Transcript Request to Current School
    8. Delegate Teacher Comment Form

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  • Middle School

    1. Submit FORM 1 and Application Fee
    2. Submit Parent/Guardian Statement and Student Statement
    3. Register for ISEE
    4. Submit Transcript Request to Current School
    5. Delegate Teacher Comment Form(s)
    6. Register for Applicant Interview (in-person interview)

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  • Upper School

    1. Submit FORM 1 and Application Fee
    2. Submit Parent/Guardian Statement and Student Statement
    3. Register for ISEE
    4. Submit Transcript Request to Current School
    5. Delegate Teacher Comment Form(s)
    6. Register for Applicant Interview

Important Early Review Application Process Now Available!

This year, all motivated Middle School or Upper School applicants are invited to participate in an Early Review Application Process. We would look forward to working with you and getting to know you throughout the months of October and November.

Middle School and Upper School Early Review Deadline: Monday, December 1

All interested applicants need to submit all Application Forms, their ISEE scores and complete their Personal Interview by December 1st. Families would then hear from St. Margaret’s regarding a formal Admission Decision by December 10th. If a student is offered Admission, families would have the opportunity to commit to St. Margaret’s early by submitting an Early Enrollment Deposit by December 15th. Early Financial Aid Review would also be available for families.

To Opt-In for Early Review please email admission@smes.org 

Standard Admission Dates and Deadlines

Form 1 and Application Fee
December 15, 2025

Complete Application 
(All forms, assessments, and interviews)
February 1, 2026

Financial Aid Applications for New Families
February 15, 2026

Birthdate Guidelines

This year, all applicants for Early School and Kindergarten will need to align with the following:

  • Applicants for Early School 3’s: need to be 3 years old prior to July 1.
  • Applicants for Early School 4’s: need to be 4 years old prior to July 1.
  • Applicants to Kindergarten: need to be 5 years old prior to July 1.


**For families with younger children eager for the St. Margaret’s Early School Program and turning three years old during the summer and fall months (July-October), there is the possibility to consider a three-year Early School commitment. Please be in touch with the Admission Office to find out more about this unique offering.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

31641 La Novia Avenue
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 661-0108
 
Translation? ¿Traducción? 翻译?:

An Independent Preschool Through Grade 12 College-Preparatory Day School in Orange County California

Non-Discrimination Policy
St. Margaret's Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, hiring and athletic policies or in other school-administered programs.