“St. Margaret’s is known for its theatrical prowess” says reporter Peter Schelden from The Orange County Register in a feature story on the Upper School Spring Musical Production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods, in which more than 75 students made up the cast and crew of acting, vocal, orchestra, costume design, stage management and audio and visual technical roles.
In the article, Performing Arts Chair and Woods Director Darcy Rice described the show as a “very sophisticated piece of theater” and said he wanted to do something to challenge his …

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School has been recognized as a “Top School” for the state of California in the 2009 Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Talent Search. CTY looks at the top schools by state to determine the number of student enrollments it receives into its annual Talent Search, and St. Margaret’s achieved this prestigious distinction.
Since 1979, CTY offers gifted students, and their families and schools as well, a wide range of programs and services to nurture their intellectual abilities, enhance personal development and foster better understanding …

St. Margaret’s victorious Battle of the Books (BOB) teams won first-place and fourth-place victories at the second annual Orange County Battle of the Books competition Tuesday. Our teams competed against 16 other teams from nine Orange County schools, in a Jeopardy-style competition hosted by St. John’s Lutheran School in Orange. Arriving home after their big win, the team members from grades 4, 5, and 6 were greeted by St. Margaret’s Librarians and students waiting at the front of the school, furiously waving pompoms at their approaching bus.
For the second year …

Last Saturday, the streets of historic downtown San Juan Capistrano were lined with thousands of families gathered to watch the 52nd annual Swallows’ Day Parade. St. Margaret’s has participated for more than 20 years in this celebration of the swallows, which is the nation’s largest non-motorized parade. St. Margaret’s has also been a proud supporter of the parade as a division sponsor for more than 10 years. This year, St. Margaret’s was the Parade Sponsor. Throughout the parade, St. Margaret’s Girl Scouts troupe member volunteers carried Division and other banners.
Headmaster …

Last Saturday, hundreds filled the St. Margaret’s campus, supporting the Lemon-Fest community fair and concert to benefit earthquake victims in Haiti. This student-led event raised more than $11,000. At the fair, there were booths to decorate lemon cookies, buy a yellow friendship bracelet or hair ribbon crafted by the cheerleaders, and toss a pie at a Lower School teacher, as well as an extensive offering of goods baked by the Middle School for sale. Vendors included Z-Pizza, Subway, Hot Dog on a Stick, Tom’s Shoes, and others. At the concert, …

High school students passing by Siller’s Hall last Friday were heard exclaiming, with obvious nostalgia, “Pioneer Day Rocks!” On Friday, March 12, St. Margaret’s third graders and their parents came together for the 26th annual Pioneer Day. This beloved, interactive and educational event created by teacher and founding faculty member Susan Remsberg remains a highlight of the Lower School experience.

This year, our traditional celebration of our historic local community integrated new curriculum elements, service opportunities as part of Celebrating Community.
The day’s events were updated to reflect changes in the grade

At Science Night in the Middle School, students showcase their independent scientific thinking and problem-solving skills. They present their work in a poster session with the opportunity for parents, teachers and other students to ask questions. Judges evaluate the projects, and the winners will present their projects in the Orange County Science Fair, with a chance to continue to the state level.
The science fair is a venue for students to apply the scientific method to ask creative questions, such as whether dogs or humans have more germs in their mouths, …

In a culmination of weeks’ worth of preparation and study, the four grade 5 classes demonstrated for the parents the vocabulary and politics of the Revolutionary War. According to grade 5 teacher, Mr. David Beshk, the students have been immersed in studying the events that led up to and occurred throughout the Revolutionary War in their collaborative lessons.
The “Walk Through the Revolution” program held in Sillers Hall last Thursday was an educational and interactive experience led by California Weekly Explorers, Inc. The event brought to life the curriculum being taught …

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School received unanimous approval from the San Juan Capistrano City Council on Tuesday evening for its campus master development plan. Before the vote at the City Council meeting, council members praised St. Margaret’s administrators for their friendly, collaborative and responsive approach to the City’s process and for the important contributions the school makes to the San Juan community.
“We are elated. The unanimous support and praise from our City Council was more than we expected. These plans are very important to the future of our school and pave …

Kenley Farace, a seventh grader at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, won the Orange County Spelling Bee and will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in early June, an event televised by ESPN.

Kenley competed against 70 other local students, the largest field in Orange County history, and triumphed in round 13 with the word “secessionist” first to edge out the remaining contender and then with “evulsion,” meaning to pull out or to extract, to capture the trophy.