St. Margaret’s Episcopal School is in San Juan Capistrano in southern Orange County. Founded in 1979, it is a coeducational Episcopal day school that runs from Early School through grade 12. According to the School Profile (Class of 2027 edition), the school enrolls 1,234 students, 469 of them in the Upper School. This page covers the three divisions below the Upper School: Early School, the Lower School (kindergarten to grade 5) and the Middle School (grades 6 to 8); “Kindergarten to Grade 8” in the page title also includes Early School, which comes before kindergarten. It answers the four questions Irvine families ask most often: how to apply at each grade, how much tuition costs each year, what children study, and how to get to school from Irvine. For Upper School admission, tuition and UC data for grades 9 to 12, see the overview page of this guide.
For the school overview, international students, application timeline and commute, see the St. Margaret’s Episcopal School school page.
The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is an admission test used by many American private schools, with levels such as Primary, Lower, Middle and Upper set by the grade a student is applying for. A playgroup is a small-group play session the school runs so admission staff can observe young applicants.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Early School, Lower School and Middle School
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School has three divisions below the Upper School. Their grade ranges, shown on the division route below, follow the school’s 2026-2027 Tuition and Payment Plan Options.
Above the route: the on-campus step and ISEE level for each entry grade, from the school's Apply page. The Apply page gives the first ISEE grade two ways, grades 3-11 in one place and 2-11 in another; the chart follows the first. Highlighted stops and the Popular tags mark the entry grades the school FAQ calls most popular: Early School, kindergarten, grade 6 and grade 9. Below the route: 2026-27 tuition by division.
The school does not publish enrollment by division. According to the School Profile, 469 of the school’s 1,234 students are in the Upper School, which leaves 765 in Early School through Middle School. The At a Glance page gives a 10:1 student/advisor ratio for the Middle and Upper Schools; the school does not publish average class size for any division.
The school’s FAQ names Early School, kindergarten, grade 6 and grade 9 as the most sought-after entry years; other grades accept applications, but space may be limited. Among the three divisions on this page, Early School, kindergarten and grade 6 are therefore where applications concentrate.
How to Apply to St. Margaret’s Episcopal School from Early School to Grade 8
Every St. Margaret’s Episcopal School division follows the same cycle: for 2027-28 entry, Application FORM1 is due by December 15, 2026, every item on the application checklist and every campus visit must be completed by February 1, 2027, and standard decisions are released in early March. The assessment differs by grade. The school states that every candidate must visit campus in person for an interview, assessment or playgroup, or the application is not complete.
Early School application steps
- Attend a fall or winter Early School Discovery Morning (strongly encouraged by the school)
- Submit Application FORM1 by December 15, 2026
- Complete the application checklist in the admission portal by February 1, 2027
- Attend an on-campus playgroup with your child by February 1, scheduled through the admission portal
Kindergarten application steps
- Confirm that your child turns 5 by July 1 of the entry year
- Attend a fall or winter Admission Tour or the Kindergarten Open House (strongly encouraged by the school)
- Submit Application FORM1 by December 15, 2026
- Complete the application checklist by February 1, 2027
- Register for a parent meeting with a member of the admission team (kindergarten families only)
Lower School application steps, grades 1 to 5
- Attend a Lower School admission tour (strongly encouraged by the school)
- Submit Application FORM1 by December 15, 2026
- Complete the application checklist by February 1, 2027
- Kindergarten to grade 2: register for and attend an on-campus playgroup
- Grades 3 to 5: register for the on-campus Applicant Visit Experience and complete the at-home online ISEE by February 1
Middle School application steps, grades 6 to 8
- Attend the Middle School Open House and a Sneaker Tour
- Submit Application FORM1 by December 15, 2026
- Complete the application checklist by February 1, 2027, including the Parent Statement, Student Statement, teacher comments and transcripts
- Register for and complete the at-home online ISEE by February 1
- Register for and attend an in-person applicant interview by February 1
- Families who want an earlier answer can choose Early Admission Review: opt in by email by November 15, complete all materials by December 1, and receive a decision in mid-December
| Early School entry age | The Apply page lists three entry levels, Early School Twos, Threes and Fours; the admission FAQ says Early School applicants need to be 3 years old before November 1; the tuition schedule lists Early School as P3 to P4. Children who turn three after July 1 spend three years in Early School before moving up to kindergarten |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten entry age | Must be 5 years old by July 1 |
| ISEE starting grade | The division-by-division steps on the Apply page have applicants for grades 3 to 11 take the at-home online ISEE, while the Notable Admissions Process Requirements section of the same page says all applicants for grades 2 through 11 sit for the ISEE. Early School and kindergarten applicants do not take the ISEE |
| Early Admission Review | Open only to Middle and Upper School applicants: opt in by email to admission@smes.org by November 15, 2026, then complete the online application, all materials, the interview and ISEE scores by December 1, with decisions in mid-December. Early School and the Lower School have no early review |
| English proficiency | The school has no ESL (English as a Second Language) program. Applicants must be fluent in reading, writing and speaking English and should have had at least two years of an English-based curriculum. The school does not accept the TOEFL |
| Residency | This is a day school, and all students must live in Orange County with immediate family members or legal guardians; families living outside Orange County who plan to relocate must also complete an in-person interview or assessment on campus |
| International students | The school is SEVP-certified and can issue a Form I-20 (the school document international students need to apply for an F-1 visa), but only after an offer of enrollment is finalized and the tuition deposit is paid; the school states it currently supports only 3 to 5 families who need one |
| Application fee | The Apply page says only that the application fee is non-refundable and does not publish the amount |
The ISEE level is set by the grade a student is applying for. For each level’s format and preparation, see this site’s ISEE Primary 2, Primary 3, Primary 4, ISEE Lower Level and ISEE Middle Level pages.
Admission events must be registered for in advance on the school’s admission calendar. The October 2026 calendar lists these events for the younger grades: a Lower School Admission Discovery Morning on October 6 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., an Early School Discovery Morning on October 20 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., and a Middle School Sneaker Tour on October 21 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Events in other months are posted on the admission calendar.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Tuition, Deposits and Payment Plans for Early School, Lower School and Middle School
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School tuition for 2026-27 is set by division: $37,000 for Early School, $42,460 for the Lower School and $47,800 for the Middle School. According to the school’s 2026-2027 Tuition and Payment Plan Options, tuition includes the Tuition Refund Plan and daily dining in the St. Margaret’s Commons. A deposit of 10% of tuition is due at enrollment; it is non-refundable and non-transferable and is applied to tuition.
| Division | 2026-27 tuition | 10% deposit | Single payment (after deposit) | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early School (P3 to P4) | $37,000 | $3,700 | $33,300, with a 2% credit of $740 in August | $3,700 |
| Lower School (kindergarten to grade 5) | $42,460 | $4,246 | $38,214, with a 2% credit of $849 in August | $4,246 |
| Middle School (grades 6 to 8) | $47,800 | $4,780 | $43,020, with a 2% credit of $956 in August | $4,780 |
The school offers three payment plans. Single payment: the deposit and balance are due by March 12 for new families and February 5 for returning families, and a 2% credit is applied to the student account in August 2026. Two payments: after the deposit, 50% of tuition is due May 31 and 40% August 31; for the Middle School, the two payments are $23,900 and $19,120. Monthly payments: new families pay from the month of enrollment through December, and returning families from March through November.
| Division | School's estimate of other annual costs |
|---|---|
| Early School | Inclusive Activity Fee: $75 |
| Lower School | Books, Supplies, Technology and Inclusive Activity Fee: $600; uniforms: $200 to $400 |
| Middle School | Technology and Inclusive Activity Fee: $825, covering a classroom iPad, field trips, class parties, 8th grade promotion, the yearbook and retreats (excluding Washington, DC); books and school supplies: $100 to $300; uniforms: $300 to $500 |
| All divisions | Parent Teacher Fellowship membership: $175, optional |
Bus service and after-school Extension Programs are charged separately from tuition and the fees above. Bus fees appear in the commuting section of this page; the school does not publish Extension Program fees. Local and regional SEA Term courses in the Middle School carry no extra charge, while long-distance travel courses carry a family cost. The school does not publish the application fee.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Financial Aid for the Younger Grades
All St. Margaret’s Episcopal School financial aid is need-based. The school states that it offers no academic, athletic or other merit scholarships, and it awarded more than $6 million in need-based aid for 2026-27.
| Eligible grades | Kindergarten through grade 12. Early School is not eligible; the Tuition and Financial Support page says Early School families may choose a payment plan instead |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Each family applies every year through the Clarity platform, which opens on October 1, 2026; Clarity charges a processing fee, and the school does not state the amount |
| 2027-28 deadlines | Returning families: November 15, 2026; families in Middle or Upper School Early Admission Review: December 1, 2026; new families: February 15, 2027 |
| Decisions | Families who apply on time receive their aid decision with the admission decision. The school states that the financial aid committee reviews applications only after admission decisions are made, so admission and aid are decided separately |
| Divorced or separated parents | Each parent submits a separate Clarity application, and the divorce agreement is sent to the school's business office |
One deadline needs attention: the deadline table on the Tuition and Financial Support page and the admission FAQ give February 15, 2027 for new families, while the financial aid Q&A on the same page gives February 1 for standard-round applicants. EDUBUS recommends preparing for the earlier February 1 date and confirming with the school’s business office.
Total Tuition at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School from Early School to Grade 8
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School tuition differs by division, so the total for the younger grades depends on the entry grade. The chart below uses 2026-27 tuition; EDUBUS added up the division tuition the school publishes.
Required fees include only the fixed fees the school lists: $75 a year in Early School, $600 a year in Lower School and $825 a year in Middle School. Uniforms, books, bus service, after-school care and long-distance trips are not included. Upper School fees through grade 12 are on the overview page.
Three caveats apply. First, tuition usually changes each year, so the actual total may be higher than a figure based on current prices. Second, the required fees in the chart include only the fixed fees the school lists (the Early School activity fee and the Lower and Middle School technology and activity fees); they exclude uniforms, books, the bus, after-school care and long-distance travel courses. Third, the deposit is applied to tuition and is not counted twice; for families receiving financial aid (from kindergarten up), the amount paid is set by the school based on family resources. For the total from grade 6 through grade 12, see the total tuition section of this guide’s overview page.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Lower School and Middle School Curriculum and Programs
This section summarizes what St. Margaret’s Episcopal School publishes about the curriculum from Early School through Middle School. For Upper School courses, see the Courses and Course Selection page.
| Grade | Main courses on the school's Middle School curriculum page |
|---|---|
| Grade 6 | Reading 6, Writing 6, Pre-Algebra (or an accelerated course based on placement testing), Earth Science, World History; Art and Technology 6 and Health and Well-Being 6; music (Choir, Band or Orchestra, twice a week); physical education through a seasonal sport, dance or a fitness class |
| Grade 7 | English 7, Algebra 1A (or an accelerated course based on placement testing), Life Science, World History; one world language chosen from Latin, Spanish or Chinese; semester electives; physical education as above |
| Grade 8 | English 8, Algebra 1B (or an accelerated course based on placement testing), Physical Science, United States History; continued world language; semester electives; physical education as above |
| Chapel | Required for the whole school and built into the schedule: once a week in Early School, before classes Monday through Thursday in the Lower School (four times a week), and twice a week in the Middle School. The school states that it welcomes families of all faiths and backgrounds; students come from 22 faith backgrounds, and 12% are Episcopalian |
|---|---|
| Religion and Philosophy | Spirituality 6 is required in grade 6, and World Religions is an elective in grade 8. The Upper School adds a requirement of three semesters of Religion and Philosophy |
| World languages | Begin in grade 7 with a choice of Latin, Spanish or Chinese, continued into the Upper School; graduation requires three years of the same language through Level III, at least two of them in grades 9 to 12, with a second-semester grade of C- or better to move up a level |
| Mathematics | Middle School students usually complete Algebra I over two years in grades 7 and 8 (Algebra 1A and 1B), with acceleration based on placement testing. The 2024-25 academic progression chart shows some grade 8 students already in Geometry or Geometry Honors |
| SEA Term | St. Margaret's Exploration Academy, an experiential learning program introduced in 2026-27 and required in grades 6 to 11. Each course meets nine times a year for 90 minutes, followed by five days of immersion in late May; it is graded and reported on a separate transcript |
| Advisory | A 10:1 student/advisor ratio in the Middle and Upper Schools (At a Glance) |
| Athletics | The At a Glance page lists 13 Middle School sports, and 83% of Middle and Upper School students play on a team |
| After-school Extension Programs | For Early School through grade 8: Extended Day, enrichment classes and after-school clubs, the Dance Conservatory, and Parent Night Out events. The school does not publish hours or fees |
Commuting from Irvine to St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for Elementary and Middle School
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School is at 31641 La Novia Avenue in San Juan Capistrano. The chart below gives straight-line distances from several Irvine neighborhoods with many Chinese families, measured by EDUBUS from each neighborhood’s center to the school address; actual driving time depends on traffic.
- Turtle Rock13.0 mi
- Portola Springs14.2 mi
- Woodbury14.5 mi
- Northwood15.6 mi
Destination: St. Margaret's Episcopal School (31641 La Novia Avenue, San Juan Capistrano)
Straight-line distances measured by EDUBUS from each neighborhood's center to the school address; actual driving time depends on traffic.
According to the school’s 2026-2027 Home-to-School Bus Service Schedule, the bus serves students in kindergarten through grade 12 from August 25, 2026 to June 3, 2027. Because the schedule names kindergarten through grade 12 and not Early School, Early School families should confirm drop-off and pickup arrangements with the school.
| Irvine stops and pickup times | Meadowood Park 7:30, Hicks Canyon Park 7:38, Swallows Park 7:30, Trabuco Center 7:40, Michelson at University Drive 7:30, Bonita Canyon Sports Park 7:45 |
|---|---|
| Arrival and dismissal | Arrival at school between 8:10 and 8:15; the afternoon bus leaves campus at 3:25 and reaches the Irvine stops between 3:55 and 4:15; on minimum days it leaves at 12:35 |
| Cost | Round trip: $2,790 per year, paid in full or in nine monthly payments of $310 |
| Notes | Parents and riders must be at the stop 5 minutes early; stops, times and availability depend on the school's arrangements each year |
EDUBUS recommends driving the route from home at the morning arrival time on the day you visit the school. Younger students who stay after school can use the Extension Programs, which affects pickup times for parents.
Questions to Ask When Visiting St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Early School, Lower School or Middle School
The following questions have no clear answer on St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s public pages, or two official sources disagree, so they are worth confirming during a visit or meeting.
- Early School entry age and levels: the Apply page lists Twos, Threes and Fours, the admission FAQ requires age 3 before November 1, and the tuition schedule lists only P3 to P4; ask whether a Twos program is offered and whether its tuition is the same.
- ISEE starting grade: the same Apply page says grades 3 to 11 in one place and grades 2 to 11 in another; families applying for grade 2 especially should confirm.
- Kindergarten campus visit: the kindergarten steps list only a parent meeting, while the Lower School steps list a playgroup for kindergarten through grade 2; ask whether the child also attends a playgroup.
- New-family financial aid deadline: the same page gives both February 15, 2027 and February 1.
- Application fee and the Clarity processing fee: neither amount is published.
- Average class size in each division: the school publishes only the 10:1 student/advisor ratio for the Middle and Upper Schools.
- Whether the Lower School offers a world language: the Middle School curriculum page says world languages begin in grade 7, and the pages checked for this guide do not describe the Lower School.
- Dates, content and acceleration criteria for the grade 6 to 8 math placement test.
- Hours and fees of the after-school Extension Programs, and drop-off and pickup arrangements for Early School families.
- Religious observances beyond Chapel: the Chapel page and the Religion and Philosophy Department Overview give only Chapel frequency and course requirements, and do not explain how Episcopal observances such as Ash Wednesday are handled.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School K-8: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the age requirements and admission assessments for Irvine families applying to Early School or kindergarten at St. Margaret's Episcopal School?
The school's Apply page says Early School offers three entry levels (Early School Twos, Threes and Fours), the admission FAQ says Early School applicants need to be 3 years old before November 1, and the tuition schedule lists Early School as P3 to P4. Because these three sources do not fully agree, families should confirm with the admission office. Kindergarten applicants must be 5 years old by July 1, so children who turn three after July 1 spend three years in Early School before moving up to kindergarten. Early School applicants attend an on-campus playgroup with their child by February 1, 2027; kindergarten families register for a parent meeting with a member of the admission team, and the Lower School steps add an on-campus playgroup for kindergarten through grade 2. Neither Early School nor kindergarten applicants take the ISEE. Application FORM1 is due by December 15, 2026, and standard decisions are released in early March.
From which grade do Irvine students applying to the St. Margaret's Episcopal School Lower School need to take the ISEE?
The school's Apply page is not consistent. The division-by-division steps say applicants for kindergarten through grade 2 attend an on-campus playgroup, while applicants for grades 3 to 5 attend an on-campus Applicant Visit Experience and complete the at-home online version of the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) by February 1. The Notable Admissions Process Requirements section of the same page says all applicants for grades 2 through 11 sit for the ISEE. Irvine families applying for grade 2 should confirm with the admission office whether the test is required. The school does not accept the TOEFL in place of the ISEE.
How much is tuition per year for Irvine families at St. Margaret's Episcopal School from Early School through Middle School?
According to the school's 2026-2027 Tuition and Payment Plan Options, 2026-27 tuition is $37,000 for Early School (P3 to P4), $42,460 for the Lower School (kindergarten to grade 5) and $47,800 for the Middle School (grades 6 to 8). Tuition includes the Tuition Refund Plan and daily dining in the St. Margaret's Commons. A deposit of 10% of tuition is due at enrollment; it is non-refundable and non-transferable and is applied to tuition. The school also estimates these annual costs: a $75 Inclusive Activity Fee for Early School; a $600 Books, Supplies, Technology and Inclusive Activity Fee and $200 to $400 for uniforms in the Lower School; and an $825 Technology and Inclusive Activity Fee, $100 to $300 for books and supplies, and $300 to $500 for uniforms in the Middle School. Round-trip bus service costs $2,790 per year.
Can Irvine families applying to Early School at St. Margaret's Episcopal School apply for financial aid?
No. Financial aid is available from kindergarten through grade 12, and Early School is not included; the Tuition and Financial Support page says Early School families may choose a payment plan instead. All aid is need-based, the school offers no academic, athletic or other merit scholarships, and it awarded more than $6 million for 2026-27. Families apply through the Clarity platform, which opens on October 1, 2026; the deadline is February 15, 2027 for new families and December 1, 2026 for families in Middle School Early Admission Review.
Is there a bus from Irvine to St. Margaret's Episcopal School for elementary and middle school students?
Yes. In 2026-27 the bus serves students in kindergarten through grade 12 from August 25, 2026 to June 3, 2027; the schedule does not include Early School. Irvine stops are Meadowood Park, Hicks Canyon Park, Swallows Park, Trabuco Center, Michelson at University Drive and Bonita Canyon Sports Park, with morning pickup between 7:30 and 7:45 and arrival at school between 8:10 and 8:15. The afternoon bus leaves campus at 3:25 and reaches the Irvine stops between 3:55 and 4:15. Round-trip service costs $2,790 per year, or nine monthly payments of $310. The school's after-school Extension Programs serve Early School through grade 8 and include Extended Day, enrichment classes and the Dance Conservatory.
Irvine Chinese families ask: does St. Margaret's Episcopal School teach Chinese in elementary or middle school?
The school's Middle School curriculum page says world languages begin in grade 7, with a choice of Latin, Spanish or Chinese; the grade 6 schedule has no world language course. The school requires three years of the same language through Level III, at least two of them in grades 9 to 12. The school pages checked for this guide do not say whether the Lower School offers a world language, so families who want their child to study Chinese in elementary school should ask during a visit.
