Admission
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Thank you for your interest in St. Margaret’s Episcopal School.
We’re delighted that you’re considering St. Margaret’s for your child and are excited to welcome your family into our admissions process.
Applications for the 2027-28 school year are now open.
At St. Margaret’s, we are committed to developing the whole child and educating both the hearts and minds of our students. Through the admissions process, we hope to get to know your child as an individual and learn about the qualities, interests, and experiences that will help them grow as a learner, leader, and member of a community dedicated to service.
Below, you’ll find the application steps and requirements organized by division: Early School, Lower School (Kindergarten–Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and Upper School (Grades 9–12).
We’re excited to learn more about your family and introduce you to the St. Margaret’s community!
All 2027-28 application steps are listed below by division:
Application Steps
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Early School
Step 1: Explore St. Margaret's! (Strongly Encouraged)
Attend a Fall/Winter Discovery Morning to learn more about our community, programs, and our Early School experience. Check out our Visit us page to register!
Step 2: Submit Application FORM1 by December 15
Step 3: Complete your application checklist by February 1
Submit all required application materials through your SMES Admissions Portal.
Step 4: Register and attend a playgroup with your child by February 1
Playgroups and visits may be scheduled through your SMES Admissions Portal.
*Early School offers three entry levels: Early School Twos, Threes, and Fours. Children must be five years old by July 1 to enter Kindergarten. As a result, children who turn three after July 1 (during the summer and fall months) will spend three years in Early School before advancing to Kindergarten.
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Lower School (Kindergarten - Grade 5)
To be considered for Kindergarten, children must be five years old by July 1.
Step 1: Explore St. Margaret's! (Strongly Encouraged)
Attend a Fall/Winter Admission Tour and/or our Kindergarten Open House to learn more about our community, programs, and Lower School experience. Check out our Visit us page to register!
Step 2: Submit Application FORM1 by December 15.
Step 3: Complete your application checklist by February 1.
Submit all required application materials through your SMES Admissions Portal.
Step 4: Register for required applicant or parent visits:- K-2nd grade applicants only: Register for an on-campus playgroup
- Kindergarten applicants only: Register for parent meeting with Admissions team member
- 3rd-5th Grade applicants only: Register for Applicant Visit Experience
Step 5: Register for and complete the ISEE “At-Home” assessment (3rd-5th grades only) by February 1.
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Middle School (Grades 6 - 8)
Step 1: Explore St. Margaret's!
Attend our Open House and a Sneaker Tour to learn more about our community, programs and Middle School experience. Check out our Visit us page to register!
Step 2: Submit Application FORM1 by December 15.
Step 3: Complete your application checklist by February 1.
Submit all required application materials (Parent Statement, Student Statement, Teacher Comment and Transcript Requests) through your SMES Admissions Portal.
Step 4: Register for and complete the ISEE “At-Home” assessment by February 1.
Step 5: Register and attend an in-person applicant interview.
Interviews may be scheduled through your application portal and need to be completed by February 1.
** Motivated Middle School applicants have the option to participate in Early Admission Review, an opportunity to receive an admission decision before the standard notification timeline.
To be considered for Early Admission Review, families must opt in by November 15 by emailing admission@smes.org. All application requirements, including the online application, supporting materials, interview, and ISEE scores, must be completed and received by December 1.
Applicants who complete the Early Admission Review process will receive an admission decision in mid-December.
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Upper School (Grades 9 - 12)
Step 1: Explore St. Margaret's!
Attend our Open House and a Sneaker Tour to learn more about our community, programs and Upper School experience. Check out our Visit us page to register!
Step 2: Submit Application FORM1 by December 15.
Step 3: Complete your application checklist by February 1.
Submit and delegate all required application materials (Parent Statement, Student Statement, Teacher Comment and Transcript Requests) through your SMES Admissions Portal.
Step 4: Register for and complete the ISEE “At-Home” assessment by February 1.
Step 5: Register and attend an in-person applicant interview and visit day.
Interview/Visit Days may be scheduled through your application portal and need to be completed by February 1.
**Motivated Upper School applicants have the option to participate in Early Admission Review, an opportunity to receive an admission decision before the standard notification timeline.
To be considered for Early Admission Review, families must opt in by November 15 by emailing admission@smes.org. All application requirements, including the online application, supporting materials, interview, and ISEE scores, must be completed and received by December 1.
Applicants who complete the Early Admission Review process will receive an admission decision in mid-December.
For the 2026 Admission Season, motivated Middle School and Upper School families have the option to apply for either:
Early Review (12/1 Deadline) or Standard Review (2/1 Deadline)
All helpful information is shared above.
Early Review (12/1 Deadline) or Standard Review (2/1 Deadline)
All helpful information is shared above.
For Relocating Families
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School proudly supports a diverse community with families from around the world. Please note that we are a day school and all students must reside with immediate family members or legal guardians in Orange County.
For English Language Learners:
Please be aware that St. Margaret’s does not offer an ESL (English as a Second Language) program. All students must have fluency with reading, writing, and speaking English. Students should have had at least two years of an English-based curriculum prior to applying.
In-Person visit required:
Every candidate must visit St. Margaret’s campus in person for their interview, assessment, or playgroup in order to complete their application.
Required assessments:
All applicants for grades 2 through 11 need to sit for the ISEE Entrance Exam. (Please note that we do not accept the TOEFL.)
All application forms must be submitted by the St. Margaret’s application deadline of February 1st. For more information about our admissions process, please visit our Apply page.
St. Margaret’s is a SEVP-certified school: if your child requires a Form I-20 student visa, an offer of enrollment must be finalized with the tuition deposit paid - prior to a Visa being issued. At present, St. Margaret’s supports 3-5 families who need Form 1-20.
For English Language Learners:
Please be aware that St. Margaret’s does not offer an ESL (English as a Second Language) program. All students must have fluency with reading, writing, and speaking English. Students should have had at least two years of an English-based curriculum prior to applying.
Notable Admissions Process Requirements
In-Person visit required:
Every candidate must visit St. Margaret’s campus in person for their interview, assessment, or playgroup in order to complete their application.
Required assessments:
All applicants for grades 2 through 11 need to sit for the ISEE Entrance Exam. (Please note that we do not accept the TOEFL.)
All application forms must be submitted by the St. Margaret’s application deadline of February 1st. For more information about our admissions process, please visit our Apply page.
St. Margaret’s is a SEVP-certified school: if your child requires a Form I-20 student visa, an offer of enrollment must be finalized with the tuition deposit paid - prior to a Visa being issued. At present, St. Margaret’s supports 3-5 families who need Form 1-20.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
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