Public · Santa Barbara Unified School District · Est. 1958
San Marcos High School
Last updated 2024. How we source this →
Quick facts
- Grades served
- 9-12
- Enrollment
- 1,943
- Founded
- 1958
- Student–teacher ratio
- 20.82:1
- Mascot
- Royals (Lancelot the Lion)
- School colors
- Scarlet and royal blue
- Principal
- Dare Holdren
- Phone
- (805) 967-4581
- Website
- sanmarcos.sbunified.org
About
Opened in 1958, San Marcos High School serves the western Santa Barbara/Goleta-edge community along Hollister Avenue. It is known for its academic and career academies, including the Health Careers Academy, the Accelerated Academic Program for Leadership and Enrichment (AAPLE), and an Entrepreneurship Academy. The Royals compete in the CIF Southern Section Channel League alongside the district's other two comprehensive highs.
Academics & public data
Academic indicators
- Niche grade
- A (2026, Niche; carried from prior data, not re-verifiable this session — Niche returned HTTP 403)
- Average SAT/ACT
- Average SAT ~1270 (2026, Niche, self-reported); ACT not separately published. U.S. News does not publish SAT/ACT for this school.
- Graduation rate
- 96% (2023, U.S. News; CA avg 87%)
- AP exam pass rate
- 26% passed at least one AP exam (2025-26 rankings cycle, data from 2023-24, U.S. News; 37% took at least one AP exam)
- College-going rate
- 82.7% college-going (393 of 475 completers enrolled in college within 12 months) (2022-23, CDE DataQuest College-Going Rate); CA Dashboard College/Career Indicator 'Prepared' 57.7% (Class of 2024, caschooldashboard.org, Green)
- A-G completion rate
- 64.4% of regular-diploma graduates met UC/CSU a-g requirements (300 of 466); 59.9% of the 501-student cohort (2022-23, CDE DataQuest cohort outcome)
- GreatSchools rating
- 8/10 (2024, GreatSchools)
- US News national rank
- #4,695 nationally; 605th in California (2024, U.S. News)
- CAASPP ELA proficiency
- 59% met/exceeded (2023, PublicSchoolReview via CDE)
- CAASPP Math proficiency
- 36% met/exceeded (2023, PublicSchoolReview via CDE)
- US News AP participation rate
- 37% (2024, U.S. News)
Funding
- Per-pupil spending
- $16,835 per student, district-wide (Santa Barbara Unified, ~2021-24, U.S. News/NCES; not school-specific)
- District budget context
- Part of Santa Barbara Unified School District
Data as of 2024.
AP & advanced coursework
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP English Literature and Composition
- AP U.S. Government and Politics
- AP U.S. History
- AP World History
- AP Human Geography
- AP Microeconomics
- AP Psychology
- AP Precalculus
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Statistics
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics 1
- AP Environmental Science
- AP Computer Science A
- AP Computer Science Principles
- AP Spanish Language and Culture
- AP Studio Art: Drawing
- AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
- AP Studio Art: 3-D Design
~28 AP-designated catalog entries (2025-26, courses.sbunified.org filtered to San Marcos); the school states it offers '40+ AP and dual-enrollment classes.' AP participation ~37% (2024, U.S. News). AP exam pass rate and average SAT/ACT are SARC-only metrics and the SARC backend was unreachable this session (null).
Academies & signature programs
Health Careers Academy (HCA)
Academic and technical foundation for post-secondary health-care education and the health-care industry; hands-on learning, job-readiness, and partnerships with healthcare professionals/institutions.
A career academy preparing students for health-care pathways. Expanding beginning Fall 2026 to admit both incoming freshmen and sophomores.
AAPLE Academy (Accelerated Academic Program for Leadership and Enrichment)
Accelerated, honors-level academics with leadership and enrichment.
Described as the most competitive and exclusive academy in the district, with a single cohort of ~30 students per grade level.
Entrepreneurship Academy
Marketing and entrepreneurship, culminating in 'Entrepreneurship in Action' with a local-company internship.
The largest open academy in the district, with 300+ students. Begins with marketing in sophomore year and ends with an applied entrepreneurship/internship capstone.
Athletics
Fall
Football
Boys · Multiple
Made CIF-SS playoffs in 2024 (snapping a 19-year drought) and again in 2025. Longtime head coach Ralph Molina (22-29-1 over 5 seasons) announced Dec 2025 he would not return; head coach position vacant pending a hire.
Girls Volleyball
Girls · Multiple
Won outright Channel League title and reached CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals in 2025 (12-0 in league). Head coach Erica Downing (SMHS alum, former UCSB All-Big West player) returned in 2025, confirmed via Noozhawk.
Boys Water Polo
Boys · Multiple
League record 18-15 noted but overall record not cleanly verified.
Cross Country
Coed · Multiple
Boys and girls teams; scored by meets/invitationals rather than win-loss records.
Girls Tennis
Girls · Multiple
Winter
Boys Basketball
Boys · Multiple
Strong recent program: 22-7 (12-2 league, 2nd) in 2025-26 and 21-8 in 2024-25.
Girls Basketball
Girls · Multiple
Devin Uyesaka took over as head coach (hired alongside girls soccer's Miguel Vences, per Noozhawk). 16-9 overall in 2025-26.
Boys Soccer
Boys · Multiple
13-7-2 overall, 8-4-2 league (3rd) in 2025-26. Head coach not independently confirmed.
Girls Soccer
Girls · Multiple
Miguel Vences (with the program since 2017, multiple JV Channel League titles) is head coach per Noozhawk. 6-9-3 overall in 2025-26. Program has a tradition of CIF, City, and Channel League championships.
Girls Water Polo
Girls · Multiple
Wrestling
Coed · Multiple
Eric Flores listed as head coach on MaxPreps. School fields both boys and girls wrestling.
Spring
Boys Volleyball
Boys · Multiple
Recently swept Santa Barbara for an outright Channel League title (per Noozhawk). Head coach David Goss per MaxPreps. Season win-loss totals not cleanly verified.
Baseball
Boys · Multiple
16-12 (10-4 league) in 2026, up from 9-19 in 2025. Head coach Richard Schroeder let go May 2026; position vacant pending a new hire.
Softball
Girls · Multiple
Emily Dietz listed as head coach on MaxPreps. League record 15-12 noted for 2026; overall record not cleanly verified.
Boys Lacrosse
Boys · Multiple
Ike Chafkin listed as head coach on MaxPreps. Rebuilding program: 0-13 in 2026.
Girls Lacrosse
Girls · Multiple
Track & Field
Coed · Multiple
Boys and girls teams; scored by meets/invitationals rather than win-loss records.
Boys Tennis
Boys · Multiple
Intramural sports
As with most California public high schools, San Marcos centers competitive interscholastic athletics (CIF Southern Section / Channel League) rather than formal intramural leagues; recreational play happens through clubs such as Surf, Lacrosse, and Martial Arts.
Championships & athletic honors
- Standout programs
- Deep CIF-SS golf tradition (a dozen section team titles 1961-2023) plus championship water polo (boys 1994 & 2023, girls 2018) and a 2021 (Div 5) girls-soccer CIF title; also recent league-champion volleyball (girls 2025) and an Olympic-talent pipeline (water polo, beach volleyball).
- League championships
- Channel League. Girls Volleyball won the OUTRIGHT Channel League title in 2025 (12-0 in league); Boys Volleyball recently won an outright Channel League title (swept Santa Barbara). Girls soccer program has a tradition of Channel League titles (multiple JV league titles noted). (data/sports.json, sourced from Noozhawk/MaxPreps.)
- Olympians & pro athletes
- Paige Hauschild (Olympic water polo). Todd Rogers (Olympic beach volleyball — gold 2008, with Phil Dalhausser). Adam Duvendeck (Olympic track cyclist). Mark Warkentin (Olympic open-water swimmer). Terry Schroeder (U.S. men's national water polo head coach; Olympic player). Dax Holdren and Brook Billings (volleyball). Alex Mack (NFL center). Chuck Liddell (former UFC Light Heavyweight champion). (Wikipedia: San Marcos High School.)
- CIF Southern Section titles
- GIRLS SOCCER CIF-SS champions in 2021 (Division 5, def. Paraclete 1-0 on a 61st-minute Caroline Mikkelson goal at Warkentin Stadium) — described in the title story as the program's first CIF title since 2006, so an earlier 2006 CIF-SS girls-soccer title is also indicated though its division was not confirmed (Santa Barbara Independent; Noozhawk). BOYS GOLF CIF-SS team champions in 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2023 (Division 2, 366 def. La Serna 368 at River Ridge GC, Oxnard, May 15 2023) — twelve CIF-SS team titles per the cifss.org Boys Golf team-champions record book + Santa Barbara Independent (NOTE: a '2015 and 2016' claim appears only in a search summary and is NOT in the CIF record book, so it is not asserted). BOYS WATER POLO CIF-SS champions in 1994 (Div IV, def. Santa Barbara 10-6) and 2023 (Div 2, def. Dos Pueblos 9-6). GIRLS WATER POLO CIF-SS champions in 2018 (Division 1, def. Dos Pueblos 4-3) (cifss.org water polo record books).
Compare across schools: Water Polo · Volleyball · Football · Basketball · Soccer · Baseball · Softball · Tennis · Track & Field · Cross Country · Lacrosse · Golf
Notable alumni
- Eric Stoltz (actor)
- Anthony Edwards (actor, 'ER', 'Top Gun')
- Randolph Mantooth (actor, 'Emergency!')
- Cady Huffman (Tony Award-winning actress)
- Kathy Ireland (model and entrepreneur)
- Chuck Liddell (former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, UFC Hall of Fame)
- Colleen Ballinger (comedian, 'Miranda Sings')
- Glen Phillips (lead singer, Toad the Wet Sprocket)
- Dean Dinning (bassist, Toad the Wet Sprocket)
- Todd Nichols (guitarist, Toad the Wet Sprocket)
- Tim Lopez (guitarist, Plain White T's)
- Eric Anzalone (singer, Village People)
- Alex Mack (NFL offensive lineman, 3x Pro Bowl)
- Todd Rogers (Olympic gold medalist, beach volleyball)
- Paige Hauschild (Olympic medalist, water polo)
- Mark Warkentin (Olympic open-water swimmer)
- Adam Duvendeck (Olympic cyclist)
- Terry Schroeder (US men's water polo head coach, Olympic medalist)
- Robert C. Orr (UN Assistant Secretary-General)
Clubs & activities
Academic
Statewide scholarship honor society recognizing academic achievement.
How to join: Apply each semester based on GPA criteria
Honor society for scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
How to join: Apply; selective based on GPA and service
Simulated UN diplomacy, debate, and global affairs competition.
How to join: Attend a meeting / sign up at club rush
International honor society for high school journalists.
How to join: Apply; for student journalists meeting criteria
Reading and discussing books together.
How to join: Attend a meeting
Arts
Creating and sharing visual art.
How to join: Attend a meeting
Cultural
Diversity and inclusion initiative fostering an inclusive campus community.
How to join: Attend a meeting
Faith-based community for student athletes and others.
How to join: Attend a meeting
Learn and practice American Sign Language and Deaf culture.
How to join: Attend a meeting
Spanish language and Hispanic culture.
How to join: Attend a meeting
French language and culture.
How to join: Attend a meeting
Focus on global issues, current events, and cultural understanding.
How to join: Attend a meeting
Service
Kiwanis-sponsored student service organization doing community volunteering.
How to join: Attend a meeting / sign up at club rush
Rotary-sponsored youth service club focused on community and international service.
How to join: Attend a meeting / sign up at club rush
Upperclassmen mentors who welcome and support incoming freshmen.
How to join: Apply to become a Link Crew leader
Environmental awareness, sustainability, and conservation projects.
How to join: Attend a meeting / sign up at club rush
Special Interest
Official student spirit/cheering section supporting Royals athletics.
How to join: Attend a meeting / show up to events
Fans of anime and related media.
How to join: Attend a meeting
Practice and instruction in martial arts.
How to join: Attend a meeting
Surfing outings reflecting the coastal location.
How to join: Attend a meeting
Recreational/club lacrosse.
How to join: Attend a meeting
STEM
Agricultural education, leadership, and career development.
How to join: Attend a meeting / enroll in ag courses
FIRST Robotics Competition team that designs and builds competitive robots.
How to join: Sign up / join through the engineering & robotics program
Facilities
- Stadium— On-campus stadium with football field and track
- Gymnasium— Gym opened 2007 (Measure V funded) with new floor, mechanical bleachers, sound system, renovated locker rooms, and full wheelchair accessibility
- Pool/Aquatics— On-campus pool for aquatics programs
- Tennis courts— On-campus tennis courts
- Athletic fields— Football, baseball, and multi-use athletic fields
- Culinary kitchen— Culinary/teaching kitchen supporting the Culinary program (since 2014)
- Library Makerspace— Library with a makerspace
- Theater/Amphitheater— Theater and outdoor amphitheater used for performances and events
Leadership opportunities
- Associated Student Body (ASB) / student government
- Link Crew (upperclassmen mentoring freshmen)
- Leadership class
- Club officer roles across many student clubs
- Blue Crew spirit leadership
- Academy leadership (AAPLE, Health Careers, Entrepreneurship)
College & career support
San Marcos provides counseling and a college/career center, A-G support, and AVID for college readiness, complemented by PEAC (Program for Effective Access to College) supporting first-generation students with tutoring, counseling, college visits, and mentoring. Its bell schedule is aligned with Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) to enable concurrent/dual enrollment, and career academies (Health Careers with on-campus SBCC classes and CNA certification, AAPLE, Entrepreneurship, Culinary) provide industry-aligned pathways.
Community
Parent–Teacher Association
Active San Marcos PTSA (membership ~$15). Source: sanmarcos.sbunified.org (verify board/officers yearly).
Athletic boosters
Active San Marcos Royals Athletic Boosters Club — organizes fundraising and transportation for all sports via booster memberships. Sources: smathleticbooster.club and sanmarcos.sbunified.org/about/parent-organizations/athletic-boosters. A separate San Marcos Robotics Booster Club (smhsroboticsboosterclub.com) supports the robotics team.
Frequently asked questions
- What grades does San Marcos High School serve?
- San Marcos High School serves grades 9-12.
- How many students attend San Marcos High School?
- San Marcos High School enrolls approximately 1,943 students, based on the most recent published figures.
- Is San Marcos High School a public or private school?
- San Marcos High School is a public high school in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.
- What is San Marcos High School's mascot?
- San Marcos High School's mascot is the Royals (Lancelot the Lion), and its school colors are scarlet and royal blue.
- When was San Marcos High School founded?
- San Marcos High School was founded in 1958.
- What sports does San Marcos High School offer?
- San Marcos High School fields 20 sports teams. See the Athletics section above for the full list by season.
- Where is San Marcos High School located?
- San Marcos High School is located at 4750 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA, 93110.
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