HISTORY
OUR ROOTS
An independent, coeducational K-8 school welcoming families of all faiths, Marymount of Santa Barbara’s roots run deep. Founded as a secondary school for girls in 1938 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (R.S.H.M.), Marymount has emerged as one of Santa Barbara’s foremost independent schools. Marymount seeks to instill knowledge, cultivate values, and foster community.
THE HISTORIC RIVIERA ESTATE
In 1942, Marymount of Santa Barbara moved from Montecito to a new campus in the city’s historic Riviera district overlooking the Santa Barbara Mission. Formerly an estate known as “El Cerrito,” the new campus offered considerable space and amenities, including extensive garden areas, graceful buildings in the Old Spanish style and a swimming pool that continue to be enjoyed by Marymount students today.
In the sixties, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary re-examined the nature and purpose of their order following the Second Vatican Council. Although the school continued to thrive and was treasured as a community resource, the nuns reluctantly announced that they would be forced to close its doors in 1971.
K-8, INDEPENDENT, COEDUCATIONAL
That same year, a group of dedicated parents, eager to keep Marymount’s tradition of excellence alive, decided to form an independent non-profit corporation. Marymount of Santa Barbara became an elementary and middle day school, run by trustees to this day. Boys and young men brought their own brand of youthful energy to the campus when the school became entirely coeducational in 1976. The faculty also transitioned, bringing with them exceptional qualifications and nonreligious backgrounds. Today, every Marymount classroom teacher and associate teacher possesses a California State teaching credential, and many have masters or doctorate degrees as well.
NEW HORIZONS
Today, Marymount students have the option of a traditional Catholic study program for their religion class or “Kaleidoscope,” which explores all the major world religions. Whichever course of study a Marymount student chooses, the greater issues of values, ethics, and service to others will always be part of a Marymount education.
The last three decades of the twentieth century saw Marymount emerge as one of Santa Barbara’s premier independent schools as campus facilities became state-of-the art and grew to provide even greater opportunities for educational excellence. Outstanding arts and athletic facilities enrich the strong college preparatory curriculum that strives to provide a global education.
Marymount has changed; yet its essential nature remains the same. The very first Marymount was a result of Mother Butler’s efforts to explore a new standard of excellence in education. New buildings, new programs, and new traditions have been a part of Marymount of Santa Barbara since it first opened its doors seventy years ago. The spirit of community that has always defined Marymount remains joyfully and firmly in place.
