San Marcos was first opened in 1958, with the first graduates donning the iconic blue and red graduation caps and gowns in 1961. While the first students roamed the hallways of the future Brooks Institute campus on the Santa Barbara Riviera, the school eventually settled into its current picturesque campus surrounded only by orange groves and farms. Set in an area halfway between Santa Barbara and Goleta, the San Marcos Campus has always reflected a charming balance between urban and rural. Since those early days, San Marcos has grown to its current population of approximately 1950 students, but still strikes a balance that benefits all students with a protective environment that prepares them for the real world.

San Marcos has the largest mural in Santa Barbara County and reflects the culture of the school well.

The students and staff at San Marcos work collaboratively to support one another and have created an impressive resume of achievement. San Marcos was named a California Distinguished School in 1994 and 2005, and was also named a Gold Ribbon School in 2015. The Royals are currently on a four year streak of improving average test scores in both English and math, something no other school in the area can claim. Athletically, San Marcos has won the most Channel League Championships in each year for the past 10 years, and last year they took home 4 CIF Academic Championships. In Performing Arts, San Marcos’ vocal music program, theater program, and instrumental program are the best in the area. San Marcos currently boasts 3 past county teachers of the year, 8 former olympians (including 4 gold medalists in different sports), the reigning Teen-Star Santa Barbara, and a vast expanse of distinguished alumni in a variety of fields, including Chuck Liddell, Anthony Edwards, Kathy Ireland, and Todd Rodgers - all of whom were tops in their field.

San Marcos’ Water Polo is one of the top 5 programs in Southern California.

Programmatically, San Marcos boasts over forty Advanced Placement and dual enrollment classes, multiple pathways, and three academies. The AAPLE Leadership Academy is the most competitive and exclusive academy in the district, with a single cohort of 30 students per grade level. Students go on field trips, complete service projects, and develop leadership skills. Incoming candidates go through a rigorous application process in their 8th grade year. The Entrepreneurship Academy is the largest open academy in the district, with over 300 students mastering skills in marketing, business, and entrepreneurship. This relatively new academy begins with students signing up for marketing in their sophomore year, and ends with Entrepreneurship in Action, which involves an internship with a local company. Last but not least, the Health Careers Academy is intended to help students enter the growing health care field. Expanding to 9th grade in the 2026-27 school year, prospective 8th graders must complete an application and, upon acceptance, will engage in a rigorous program that will prepare them for a career in health care. Students will complete courses in the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences Pathway, will complete an internship in the area of their choice, and graduates of the Academy with a 3.3 GPA or above will qualify for guaranteed admission at Westmont College, plus $15,000 in site aid at a minimum. In addition, a new mini-campus for the Health Careers Academy is set to break ground this June.

In 2023, San Marcos’ Vocal Music Department was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall.

While many students choose to participate in an academy, just as many simply take on the robust course selections open to all students. San Marcos has a large number of electives, including ceramics, video production, newspaper, yearbook, dance, woodworking, leadership, Spanish, French, psychology, child development, culinary arts, and many more. San Marcos students also have the choice of 24 sports, over 60 clubs, and many dances, rallies, and other activities. The culture of San Marcos is strong, with students scoring the school in the 90th percentile nationwide for supportive relationships, cultural awareness and action, and in the 80th percentile for school safety, on the Panorama platform measuring social emotional data. San Marcos is truly experiencing a Golden Age.

San Marcos is known for their school spirit and engaged student body.