Marymount of Santa Barbara, an independent day school for children in junior-kindergarten through eighth grade, is The Riviera Ridge School beginning in the 2021-2022 school year.

The name change aligns with the strategic vision and purpose of the school located at 2130 Mission Ridge Road in Santa Barbara, and is critical in clarifying the school’s identity, officials said. 

The “Marymount” name had historical connections to a Catholic tradition of education, which was creating confusion among prospective families and others, officials said. 

A name change will help clarify confusion and disassociate from connection to a brand name the school is no longer affiliated with, according to the school’s website.

The school on the Riviera has evolved over the past several decades to be inclusive of all moral and ethical teachings, as well as spiritual beliefs, according to Head of School Christina Broderick.

“All of the wonderful things we have continued to do and we have done for 83 years will remain the same, but now the name reflects a name that doesn’t provide confusion for people,” Head of School Christina Broderick told Noozhawk Monday.

In 1938, Marymount of Santa Barbara was established as a private all-girls Catholic School.

The name — “Marymount” — comes from the network of private Catholic schools founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in France in 1849, according to the school. 

The name has been affiliated with other Catholic schools across the country and world, Broderick said.

The school was privately bought from the Sisters of the RSHM nearly 50 years ago, and was established as an independent school, run by a board of trustees, according to the school’s website. 

The school was formally designated as a coeducational day school in 1976. 

The new name embodies the school’s academic programs, particularly its Kaleidoscope program that prioritizes the study of historical, cultural, ethical and moral perspectives through a reflective view of world religions. 

“This school, as it has evolved over the years, 90% of our current population are not Catholic students and do not choose our school for Catholicism,” Broderick said. “But they do choose us for our world religions and comparative religions program called Kaleidoscope, and our social and emotional learning component, which has been here since 2007.”

At this time, officials are not considering changes to the school colors of blue and white, or changes to the mascot, the Mustangs, Broderick said.

“Our intent was to keep everything the same, so that the kids, families and alumni feel supported that the community and the heart and soul of the educational experience at our school remains identical to what we have been doing for many years,” Broderick said.

The school’s Board of Trustees, administration members and academic leaders embarked on a 10-year strategic plan after earning a seven-year accreditation from the California Association of Independent Schools in 2018.

With the completion of the strategic plan, the trustees determined it was time to clarify the school’s identity, President of the Board of Trustees Alexis Weaver said in a statement.

“This name change represents the natural progression of the school’s evolution,” Weaver said. “The Riviera Ridge School name reflects its idyllic location on the Santa Barbara Riviera, and speaks to the love of our local community. 

“And, most importantly, while the name of the school is changing, the school itself remains unchanged. It is the same incredible faculty, staff and school community that have always been the heart of the school.” 

The Board of Trustees selected the new name — The Riviera Ridge School.

The school adopted its new mission, vision and values in 2020 to “reflect the importance of personalized learning, philanthropic studies, and instilling the importance of seeking a ‘purpose beyond self’ in all that they do and learn,” according to a news statement. 

— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.