PARKING/TrAFFIC FLOW
Please be advised that driving and parking at SMCHS is a privilege, not a right. Parking on campus is provided for student convenience and is not a requirement nor guaranteed. Parking on campus is always at your own risk.
- All vehicles that drive on to campus or parked at/near an SMCHS event are subject to search.
- SMCHS parking permits are required for cars, trucks, motorcycles, electric bikes and electric scooters.
- All student drivers using a motorized vehicle (automobile, electric bike, electric scooter) to commute to campus must register that vehicle with SMCHS Security.
- All student drivers must complete an acknowledgment form to show a basic and full understanding of the SMCHS Student Driving and Parking policy's expectations.
Traffic Flow:
We would like to inform you of an important update to our morning traffic procedures, effective August 12, 2025:
Back Lot Access – Permit Only
The SMCHS Back Lot, located at the corner of Dove Canyon Drive and Plano Trabuco Road, will be restricted to permitted vehicles only during morning drop-off hours. Access will require one of the following valid permits to be clearly displayed:
- SMCHS Back Lot Student Parking Permit
- SMCHS GoKid/Carpool Permit
- SMCHS Back Lot Employee Parking Permit
Front Lot – General Drop-Off
All other vehicles should use the SMCHS Front Parking Lot, located on Antonio Parkway near the athletic fields, for morning drop-off. Please click here for parking and traffic flow maps.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Both the front and back Lots will remain open for general use during afternoon pick-up. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact parking@smhs.org
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support in keeping our campus safe and efficient.
Off Campus Parking:
Those students that do not have an on-campus parking permit and plan on driving to campus, should park on Dove Canyon Drive, which is located just off of Plano Trabuco, on the backside of campus. All students parking off campus are required to register with SMCHS Security and get a free SMCHS Dove Canyon Drive parking permit. DCD parking permits will be distributed at the Strader Grotto near the lunch shelter. Parking on either side of DCD is fine, but please pay attention to the “no parking” area on the downside of DCD. Street sweeping on DCD is completed during the p.m. hours. DO NOT park in the residential areas adjacent to campus.
On Campus Parking:
Important Dates:
- April 1: Junior/Senior Parking Permit Request Form opens.
- April 17: Submission deadline for Junior/Senior request forms.
- April 30: Junior Parking Lottery results released and eligible juniors notified.
- August 1: To help us process applications efficiently, please wait until this date to email the parking office (parking@smhs.org) of any updates to your driver's license, vehicle, or application registration information.
- August 12: Junior Orientation and parking permit purchase/pick-up.
- August 13: Senior Orientation and parking permit purchase/pick-up.
Questions?
Please email parking@smhs.org
Parking Distribution:
A physical Acknowledgement Form must be submitted in person at Junior/Senior Orientation during permit pickup. Acknowledgement Forms will be distributed at a later date.
- Who: Juniors/Seniors who submitted the parking permit request form.
- When: August 12 or August 13
- Time: During your designated Student Orientation time. Orientation details, including assigned times, are forthcoming.
- Orientation is a required school day. Any absence should be reported to the Attendance Office.
- Where: The Strader Grotto (near the Lunch Shelter).
- All students are required to bring their valid driver’s license. No pictures will be accepted. Permit and interim licenses will be accepted.
- Only the student who purchased the permit may pick up the parking permit with the completed acknowledgement form from parent and student. If the student is unavailable, a parent may NOT pick up the parking permit.
- Students who do not have a valid license on orientation day may still pay for the permit; however, the permit will not be issued until a valid license is presented.