Our New Name/FAQs

List of 17 frequently asked questions.

• WHY IS THE SCHOOL’S NAME BEING CHANGED?

  The Marymount name comes from the network of private Catholic schools founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) in France in 1849. Marymount of Santa Barbara was founded as a private Catholic all-girls school in 1938. In 1972, the School was privately bought from the Sisters of the RSHM and was established as an independent school, run by a Board of Trustees. The School was designated formally as a coeducational (boys and girls) day school in 1976. 

  
  

  Over the decades, our School has evolved, designed, and delivered curricula to meet the needs of each successive generation. Accordingly, the School’s Mission Statements have evolved to emphasize a true independent school where all students are welcomed and valued, regardless of their religious affiliation or beliefs. Today, we maintain our commitment to the Mission, Vision, and Values of our School while embracing the study of all religious, moral, and ethical traditions along with all spiritual beliefs, as prioritized in our signature Kaleidoscope Program.

  
  

  As we are no longer a Catholic school, the Marymount name, being exclusive to schools with a Catholic identity and affiliation, is not an accurate representation of who we are. The name has also been a large source of confusion among prospective families and the community at-large for many years. Therefore, a change of name was in order to clarify and disassociate from any confusion or connection to a brand name we no longer are affiliated with. We look forward to continuing our journey, now as The Riviera Ridge School.

• IS THE SCHOOL’S PHILOSOPHY CHANGING?

  While our name is changing, we remain unchanged. We are the same faculty, staff, and school community! This name change is the natural progression of our updated Mission, Vision, and Values. Moving forward, our School, programs, and educational philosophy will now be even more aligned with and reflective of our purpose:

   

  WHAT WE DO: MISSION

  We provide student-centered individualized learning in a joyful and nurturing community, inspiring academic excellence and valuing difference.

  
  

  WHY WE DO IT: VISION 

  To empower individual potential, inspire purpose beyond self, and cultivate social responsibility.

  
  

  IDEAS WE LIVE BY: VALUES

  Academic Excellence, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Diversity, Ethical Responsibility, Joy, Kindness, Resilience.

• WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE DECISION TO CHANGE THE NAME?

  Guided by a professional brand and identity consulting team, the Board of Trustees, Strategic Planning Committee members, Head of School, Enrollment Management Committee, and members of the administration and academic leadership teams were deeply involved and worked tirelessly through the past few years on this work.

• HOW WAS THE ROLE AND LEADERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES INCORPORATED IN THIS DECISION?

  The Board of Trustees is tasked with overseeing the strategic and fiduciary duties of the School, and as such was integral in developing the strategic planning initiatives and re-branding plan. Over the course of this multi-year endeavor, the Trustees dedicated themselves to ensuring the School would maintain its stellar reputation, and continue in perpetuity.

  
  

  The decision to change the name of the School was thoroughly researched and deliberated upon, and the Trustees considered the importance and significance of their decision carefully. Their dedication and thoughtfulness is a testament to their commitment and support of the School, and we are forever grateful for their service.

• HOW WAS THE NEW NAME, THE RIVIERA RIDGE SCHOOL, SELECTED?

  While honoring our history, geographical location, and long-time connection to the Santa Barbara community, we wanted and needed a name that was a departure from the Marymount brand, but still embraced who we have been, and who we are as a community: past, present, and future. 

  
  

  After thorough research and extensive work with a brand and identity agency throughout this past year, The Riviera Ridge School name was ultimately selected by the Board of Trustees. We appreciate that our new name, The Riviera Ridge School, speaks deliberately and thoughtfully to our unique location on Santa Barbara’s Riviera and our historic address on Mission Ridge Road, where we have been located for 80 years.

• HOW WILL THE HISTORY, TRADITIONS, AND LEGACY OF MARYMOUNT BE HONORED?

  We cherish our history as much as we look forward to our future, and we are honoring the Marymount name in meaningful, lasting ways. When you visit campus, we welcome you to walk through (or sit and spend some time in) our Meditation Garden, designed as a space to reflect upon our history and heritage. We will continue to celebrate our traditions as we always have, including honoring our special Marymount “M” Award recipient at graduation, celebrating our alums at-large with the Distinguished Alumni Award, inviting alumni back to campus each year for their class reunions, participating in opening and closing circles, and celebrating the Interfaith Prayer Service at our Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day. These are just some of the many cherished traditions that will continue and be honored.

• WILL THERE BE CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL’S CURRICULUM AND PROGRAMS?

  No, to the contrary, the new name even further embodies all of our academic programs, particularly our signature Kaleidoscope Program. Through this lens, our students are given the unique opportunity to experience and study the traditions, moral teachings, and ethical values of world religions and diverse cultures through a global and unifying perspective.

• WILL THERE BE PHYSICAL CHANGES TO THE CAMPUS?

  As the administration and Board of Trustees continue the work of the strategic initiatives, we remain committed to continuing to see our campus develop and improve to reflect the current teaching and learning community. This summer we have been painting and sprucing up our physical campus to welcome all of our students back to campus and in-person this August. We have also begun the work to update signage reflecting our new name and logo around campus. Our website, email addresses, and social media platforms are also in the process of being updated before the start of the 2021-22 school year. But, otherwise - it’s business (ahem, school!) as usual.

• ARE THE SCHOOL COLORS OR MASCOT CHANGING?

  Our School colors will remain BLUE AND WHITE  and we are the Mustangs! We are excited to include our students and families in future discussions about what is next. We’ll be sure to include our community in this if/when we have more information to share.

• I’M AN ALUMNI/ALUMNI PARENT - WHAT SCHOOL DO I SAY I/MY STUDENT ATTENDED?

  Whether a current student or alumni, we’re proud of the School we’ve been and we’re proud of the School we are now and will continue to become. The Riviera Ridge School is an evolution of an incredible school that’s been a leader in education for nearly a century now. Wear your alumni pride on your sleeve, whether it says Marymount or The Riviera Ridge School.

• WHAT WILL BE LISTED ON THE CLASS OF 2022’s DIPLOMAS?

  The individual members of the Class of 2022 will have the opportunity to decide if they want a Marymount diploma or one that says The Riviera Ridge School (or both!).

• HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE THE SCHOOL NAME CHANGE TO OUR CHILDREN/STUDENTS?

  Here are a few statements to share with your students...

  • Every once in a while schools make changes to the school to further grow as an inclusive and safe place for all students and families. 

  • It is amazing that the school is changing its name. Not every school gets an opportunity to change their name that fits who the school is. Riviera Ridge School represents our beautiful location on the Santa Barbara Riviera and is located along Mission Ridge Road.

  • Riviera Ridge is a new name we are giving to our same, wonderful school. 

  • The name Marymount was given to our school when it was founded as an all-girls Catholic school. There are many more Marymount schools in the world, and all of them are Catholic schools.  Over the years, our school has grown and changed a lot, making it the place that you know now. 

  • Our new name reflects our location in the community (on Mission Ridge Road in the Riviera). Since we are a very special school, this new name belongs just to us. Isn’t that exciting?

  • Name changes around the globe signify strength in one knowing who they are and how they’d like to be known.  

• WHAT IS THE SCHOOL’S POLICY REGARDING THE DRESS CODE?

  While we no longer require uniforms, please see our updated dress code policies here: 2021-22 | JK-4th & 5-8th grade | Dress Code Policies

• ARE TUITION AND FEES CHANGING?

  No, our tuition and fees for the upcoming school year of 2021-2022 are unchanged. In addition, over one million dollars is given each year in support of scholarships and tuition assistance, making sure that the pursuit of academic excellence and the preparation for high school and college readiness is accessible to as many families in Santa Barbara as possible. For information on this as well as assistance, please visit Affording Riviera Ridge.

• HOW CAN FAMILY MEMBERS VOLUNTEER AND SUPPORT THE SCHOOL?

  We are proud to invite all new and returning families to volunteer this school year for The Riviera Ridge Family Association (RRFA). The function remains unchanged, other than it will now be The Riviera Ridge Family Association (RRFA). We are inviting all parents to get involved! All parents are RRPA members as dues are included in school fees. Stay tuned for a meeting in August with our divisional coordinators and members of the administrative team to find out how you can get involved.

  
  The RRFA (formerly Marymount Family Council) is an important part of our School community - the purposes of this volunteer organization is to aid the Head of School and faculty in promoting parent participation and communication, to provide financial and organizational help in areas that are not provided in the school budget, and to assist in organizing and running community activities and events particularly when our families are involved.

• SAVE THE DATE!  ANNUAL EVENTS!

  We look forward to our annual school and community events such as The Gary Messineo Classic Golf Tournament on Friday, October 22nd, and our annual Gala Auction being held outdoors and in-person at our beautiful School on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

• DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU DIDN’T SEE ADDRESSED HERE?

  We welcome the opportunity to discuss our exciting news further with you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us via email at info@rivieraridge.org or participate in-person or online in one of our aforementioned meetings to learn more.