San Marcos Senior High School

Posted: January 29, 2025

San Marcos is a comprehensive high school in Santa Barbara, California, that excels in academics, athletics, and performing arts. We have a fantastic staff, excellent teachers, and engaged students. The campus is lovely and sits roughly halfway between downtown Santa Barbara and Goleta.

Posted: June 5, 2016

In three days, my son will graduate from this school and it couldn't be sooner. Yes, some students do thrive here, but most fall through the cracks. There is no sense of community and the parents who run the school explain what it means to be a "Royal." What a joke of a school and our other child chose DP after witnessing the dysfunction of SMHS. Stay away!

Posted: June 12, 2015

They don't hold bad behavior accountable and don't care if children are threatened or harmed.

Posted: June 12, 2015

My son was beat up by 4 West side gang members after school. The administrators did nothing about it. Because he only knew one of the guys, they did not even try to find out who the others were. I feel like if my son had been a minority and the gang members white, it would have been a different story.
The campus police said he didn't want to ruin his rapport with the one boy we did identify. I've never seen anything like this. I had to go above the school to the board and local legislature before anyone took it serious. They tried to make my son, the victim, feel bad, instead of the perpetrators. Kind of like blaming a rape victim for getting raped. His vice principal never would return my calls or emails unless I cc'd the principal. We are from Nashville, and I just had a lot higher expectations out here.

Posted: November 19, 2013

I love San Marcos High School! It is the best high school in Santa Barbara because 1. the teachers and staff are nice 2. they are competent and helpful 3. they love their subject and job 4. the kids are low-key 5. they balance their academic with sports and activities 5. the students are proud to be Royals 6. the atmosphere is happy 7. You learn a lot and well! 8. You are prepared for the university. I JUST LOVE IT!

Posted: September 29, 2013

Best kept secret in Santa Barbara. Great teachers and great kids. So happy we transferred districts to be here. The other high schools just don't come close to comparing.

Posted: September 11, 2013

The AAPLE Program is amazing. My daughter is so well prepared for university. Equally as important is that my daughter has loved the program, the school and really enjoys everything about SMHS. I went to SBHS and was a bit sad when my daughter didn't want to follow family tradition, but I feel she got everything that she needed and wanted. She loves going to school each day and loves her teachers (in particular AP Chemistry, AP History, Year Book and Tennis). Nothing is more important to a parent than this balance in education--excellent teachers, administrators, students, program/curriculum and the school grounds are looking so, so good. Way to go SMHS--go Royals. Cheers for the principal, Mr. Behrens and the AAPLE director, Mr. Nielson.

Posted: November 14, 2012

I graduated from San Marcos High School and I have to say my experience was amazing. Great campus, teachers, and classes. San Marcos was a great medium. It didn't have the pompous feel of DP and the less than adequate curriculum of SB.

Posted: January 22, 2012

Awesome school. Fantastic staff. The block schedule really prepares students for college. Their test scores are improving every year.

Posted: February 16, 2009

Posted: July 13, 2008

Posted: November 15, 2007

Posted: February 3, 2007