Back to School 2025

What is SOARientation?

This event is for our incoming freshmen and transfer students. SOARientation includes several fun and engaging activities, dynamic presentations, and small group discussions that give new students the opportunity to connect with their classmates and learn everything they need to know about SMCHS. Students will start the school year with an abundance of knowledge and resources that will enable them to successfully begin their SM journey. 

SOARientation for Freshmen: Monday, August 11, 2025
SMCHS campus: 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.

During Incoming Freshman Orientation students will: 

• Engage in activities, dynamic presentations, and small groups led by our upperclassmen Link Crew leaders.
• Go on a campus tour.
• Students will receive their class schedules, do a walk-through to find their classrooms.
• Take their ID and yearbook photos 
•  Attend their first Mass together as members of the SMCHS community.
• Receive pre-ordered Class T-Shirts. 
• Lunch will be provided. Click Here to provide any dietary restrictions or allergies.
  
  Dress code: Students should be in a full school uniform, including a collared shirt and SM uniform bottoms. Formal mass uniform is not required. Footwear must be closed-toe/closed-heel. No hats allowed. Students do not need to be in full Mass dress. Yearbook photos will be taken. 

Welcome Class of 2029 Mass
Parents are  welcome to join their student for the Class of 2029 Mass from 1:45-3:00 p.m. This meaningful Mass marks the beginning of your student's spiritual journey at Santa Margarita. 

SOARientation for Transfer Students: Friday, August 8, 2025
SMCHS campus 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

During Transfer Student Orientation students will: 

• SOARientation will include engaging activities, dynamic presentations, and small groups led by our upperclassmen Link Crew leaders.
• Go on a campus tour.
• Take their ID and yearbook photos 
• Receive pre-ordered Class T-Shirts.
• Seniors will order their cap and gown (included with the graduation fee). 
• Juniors will have the opportunity to order class rings. 
• Lunch will be provided. Click Here to provide any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Dress code: Students should be in a full school uniform, including a collared shirt and SM uniform bottoms. Footwear must be closed-toe/closed-heel. No hats allowed. Students do not need to be in full Mass dress. Yearbook photos will be taken. 

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for our one-to-one tablet distribution and training for the 2025-2026 school year. Each incoming freshman and transfer student must attend one session to receive their Lenovo Yoga Tablet PC and training on the program's essential aspects.

The session dates are July 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31. Each training day will consist of a morning session from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and an afternoon session from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students are expected to be in attendance throughout the 2.5 hours of training.

To begin the signup process, click the link provided below and enter the student-issued username and password assigned to each incoming student and distribute within your scheduling night packet on a white piece of paper at scheduling night. Follow the instructions to reserve an open space at one of the sessions in July or August. Once you have completed the registration process, you will receive a confirmation email and a reminder approximately 24 hours before your session.

If you need to make changes to your registration at any point, revisit the Tablet Distribution and Training sign-up webpage, log in and select a new date.

PLEASE NOTE BEFORE REGISTERING:

• Families with multiple students enrolling at SMCHS must repeat the registration process for each matriculating student.
• If your student is taking MUN and planning to attend the MUN Bootcamp or Freshman Prep, they do not need to register for tablet training. They will receive their tablet as part of these programs. For questions regarding MUN, please contact John Remmell. For questions regarding Freshman Prep, please contact Roza McCartan.  
• You may not reschedule or cancel your training appointment within 24 hours of your scheduled time.
• Students with repeated late cancellations and no-shows forfeit the privilege of receiving a tablet before the beginning of the school year.

If you have any questions, please email edtech@smhs.org or visit the Educational Technology webpage. Additionally, a chatbot is available on the webpage to provide assistance related to tablet training questions.

Sign Up for Tablet Distribution and Training

The SMCHS app and website at www.smhs.org/bellschedule will have specific details on each day's schedule. Download the app by searching Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Each block represents a specific amount of time each day and the period corresponds to your school schedule.

Directions to Add the Bell Schedule to Your Mobile Calendar

• From your smartphone/device, visit the bell schedule webpage by clicking this link.
• At the top of the page there is a calendar with a grey and white RSS icon.
• Click on the RSS icon and you should get a "Subscribe to Calendar" pop up that provides two ways for you to subscribe.
• From there you can get a link  to add directly to your default calendar or copy link to add to your personal calendar.
• You should be set!

For Class of 2029 families:
SM 2029 FACEBOOK GROUP

For our transfer families:

Join these official, school-managed Facebook group pages:

• SM 2028 FACEBOOK GROUP
• SM 2027 FACEBOOK GROUP
• SM 2026 FACEBOOK GROUP 

There are no school supply lists. Individual teachers will go over what is needed during the first few days of school.

Our Microsoft Tablet PC program helps maximize organization and workflow success. With OneNote, students can organize all of their class materials including lecture notes, homework and classwork, essays, and nearly everything they need for class. Teachers will often use OneNote to distribute pages to their students which contain the assignment for the day and they can then grade that work later in real time, right there inside of OneNote. It is truly the ultimate digital three-ring binder and spiral notebook, all rolled into one. Read more about our learning platforms.

Join Mr. Sulick for a President's Roundtable meeting. Come meet him, members of the administration, and other new parents in a small group setting and get a more in-depth look at who we are as a Santa Margarita family and see where we are headed over the next few years. Register online as soon as possible as limited spaces are available. Welcome to the Nest!

Register 

Visit the Counseling Office website by clicking here. The counselors will answer your questions regarding academic planning and assist you in establishing goals for your high school journey as well as college admission.

Santa Margarita Catholic High School uses eCampus as our official textbook provider. Book sales will be available beginning at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 8. Free standard shipping on all orders is available July 8-14. We recommend that you make your purchase as soon as possible. An email with personalized login information and instructions will be sent prior to book sales. You will see your student's class list when you log in to purchase your books. Your students' finalized schedule with teacher assignments and periods will be distributed to students before the first day of school. New students will do a trial run to find their classes on campus during SOARientation in August. Reminder! There are no schedule changes. The only exception is for students who are misplaced in a course or need a level change.

Please note: The first official day of classes for all students is Tuesday, August 12. All school calendar/daily bell schedule items have updated for the 2025-2026 school year and are posted on the SMCHS website. The school year calendar at a glance is also available on this webpage.

View Flyer

There is required summer reading for all incoming freshmen. Advanced level courses also have summer assignments. 

View Summer Assignments

When you log in to purchase your books, you will see your student's class list. Your student's finalized schedule with teacher assignments and periods will be distributed to students prior to the start of school. New students will do a trial run to find their classes on campus during SOARientation in August.

• All teachers are required to hold office hours to provide additional support for students as well as make up assessments.
   
• To accommodate faculty involved in extracurricular commitments, teachers will have the option to hold Office Hours in the morning before classes begin or after school. This flexibility is intended to increase faculty availability and support the timely start of after-school activities.
   
• Students with low grades may be assigned to mandatory attendance at Office Hours to help these students make up missed work, improve their grades, enhance study skills, and develop effective academic habits.
   
• Office Hours will remain open to all students. Any student may attend to seek additional academic support or to make up assessments.

View the course description book. 

Click Here to View the Handbook

There will be two bag drop locations, one location is a flatbed trailer in the front of the school and a storage room located in the back of the school. Once school begins, the flatbed trailer will be moved inside the main campus and placed toward the storage room located in the back of the school. The trailer will be placed in the back of the fire lane. The image is of the flatbed trailer.  

All returning students will attend a mandatory orientation at SMCHS before the first day of classes. 

During orientation, students will:

• Take ID and yearbook photos. Senior families, click here for additional information on senior portraits. 
• Seniors will order their cap and gown (included with graduation fee)
• Juniors will have the opportunity to order class rings.
• Hear important presentations from members of SMCHS.
• Students will also pick up parking permits that have been pre-purchased and other important items for the first day of school. 
• Have the opportunity to visit the Tech Center and Counseling Offices 

All students must be in their full school uniform as outlined on pages 39-44 of the Parent/Student Handbook 

View Important Details and Assigned Times

• Class schedules will be emailed to all SM families the week before school starts. Please keep an eye on your email for this important information. 
• Access codes to the 2025-2026 Aeries Database for all new and transfer students will be emailed to parents and students a few days before school starts. Please keep an eye on your email for this important information. 
• Aeries is the official school grading program which allows parents and students to review current graded assignments and test scores online 24 hours a day from any computer. In addition, it allows parents and students to review the official school records for discipline, attendance, and quarter/semester grades. Aeries can be accessed here. 
• For assistance during the school year with any Aeries account issues, click here.  

The Attendance Policy and Procedures can be found in the Parent Student Handbook. 

For bus information, please visit the SMCHS transportation page:

SMCHS Transportation 

SMCHS is excited to announce a new partnership with Go Kid carpool service to support our school community's transportation needs. 

SMCHS Transportation 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DRESS CODE

The dress code requirements are also located on pages 39 - 44 of the Parent / Student Handbook.

At this time uniforms are not available online and can only be purchased in store.

Store Hours During the School Year: 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily when students are present.
Closed: Monday, August 25

Click here to view uniform / dress code

Spirit Wear:
Spirit wear is available in the Eagles Nest Campus Store and can be purchased online.

• Shop the campus store
• Shop BSN for custom orders

Freshman and sophomore students attend organized events with their religion classes to complete the necessary hours of service. Juniors and seniors work with an organization outside of SMCHS to complete the required number of hours to meet graduation requirements. Learn more about Christian Service at SMCHS. 

UNDERCLASSMEN PHOTO PACKAGE: Click here for information about photo packages! 

• Yearbook information will be posted as it becomes available. 
• Freshmen and transfer students will take their photo during SOARientation.
• Sophomore and juniors take yearbook and ID photos during their orientation days. 

SENIORS:
Seniors will take ID photos during the first week of school. Seniors, please be sure to contact South Coast Photographic to get your senior photos taken for the yearbook. All seniors must have their portrait taken to be included in the yearbook and senior photo banner.
Download Flyer Here 

Please click here for more information on parent organizations.

Click here for more information on volunteering.

Please click here for information on immunization requirements and medications.

View information regarding the school's campus dining program featuring Hanna's on Campus.

Click here to view information about student parking permits. 

View traffic flow maps. 

The Wellness program will provide a range of resources and referrals to support students and their families in meeting the challenges of adolescence through prevention, early-intervention and education. Visit www.smhs.org/wellness to learn more. 

ASB Card Members $0 (Be sure to log into Simpletix to view the discount)

Non-ASB Card Members $30 

Cotton T-shirts sizes XS-2XL 

If you purchase a class T-shirt for more than one student, you must submit the form for each student. Class T-shirts can only be purchased through the online store and are not available through the Campus Store. 

Class t-shirt orders placed before Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. are guaranteed to be picked up at SOARientation and Returning Student Orientation. 

Orders placed after July 27 will be available for pickup during the first week of September. 

August 15 is the last day to order a Class T-shirt for September pickup. 

Click here for more information

SMCHS is excited to announce the 2025-2026 ASB Card, available now to all SMCHS students! Purchasing an ASB Card is not only a great way to support SMCHS Activities and students but also the best way to save money throughout the year. The ASB Card offers discounts to all SMCHS dances, ASB events, class T-shirts, yearbooks, parking permits, and more! 

Purchase your ASB Card

Students are assigned a locker only if they request one through the attendance office. Lockers are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis while supply lasts.

Download the SM app to stay up-to-date on the school calendar and other important information. Search for Santa Margarita Catholic High School in the app store. Look for the icon below. 

Calendar resources, including our master calendar, daily bell schedule and year-at-a-glance calendar, can be found at the link below.

View Calendar Webpage

View Bell Schedule Webpage

We invite new SMCHS parents for an evening to meet fellow parents from their student’s grade and members of the administration. This is a special evening for our parents only on Monday, August 25 at 5:30 p.m. at Moiso Family Pavilion/Grotto.

This event is for all parents who have a NEW student at the school. The event is open to the following parents:

• Freshmen families (who do not already have a student enrolled at SMCHS)
• Transfer families for the 2025-26 school year (who do not already have a student enrolled at SMCHS)

RSVP HERE

Back to School Night is on Wednesday, Aug. 27. More information will be added as it becomes available. The evening is for parents/guardians and will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Refreshments and Schedule Pickup: 5:30 p.m.

Classroom Visits: Beginning at *6:15 p.m.

Eagles Nest Campus Store: Open 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

*Please note the revised start time.

View the full schedule.

View the recorded teacher presentations. 

Please click here for more information

Sept. 4, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Moiso Family Pavilion

SM Mothers Club invites all SM moms to join us for our welcome coffee. Hear from SMCHS faculty, meet new friends, reunite with old ones and learn more about SM Mothers Club.

Advance registration is required. There is no cost to attend.

RSVP Here

If you are looking for an opportunity to support our school and meet some other great parents that share your love of SM, join the Parent Docent Team. Docents support our Admissions Department and assist with checking in families at our Open House and High School Placement Tests. Docents are the first point of contact with our visiting families at those events and their service to the school is invaluable. They will also assist with packing materials for our give away bags and acceptance letter mailings. To join this GREAT group of parents, please come to our Parent Docent Training on Wednesday, Aug. 20 from 9:00 to 11:00 am, in the Admissions Department.

Sign Up

Please refer to the athletics page by clicking here. Individual coaches may be contacted if more information is needed.

The Santa Margarita Catholic High School Athletic Department utilizes a third-party website for athletic registration. Please visit www.smhs.org/sportsmedicine for more information. Student-athletes must be athletically cleared before participating in summer camps or sports programs. If you have any questions regarding athletic clearance, please email the athletic trainers at at@smhs.org.

Parents of student-athletes have received a time-sensitive email inviting them to download the free Healthy Roster app. The app is designed to help parents connect with SM regarding their student's athletic health. Currently, only the athletic trainers are using the app (not the Nurses Office).

The app provides the following:

• Ability to contact medical professionals who can help you with your child's health.
• Track and communicate health updates with everyone connected to the patient.
• Parental controls provide ultimate security and privacy. HIPAA compliant.