Top Rankings
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 10%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 1%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 8,630 students in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. This district's average testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 75% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
17 Schools
10,369 Schools
# Students
8,630 Students
5,826,838 Students
# Teachers
452 Teachers
268,018 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, which is ranked #106 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 98% has increased from 92% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#104 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
29%
Graduation Rate
98%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
8%
12%
% Hispanic
30%
56%
% Black
7%
5%
% White
48%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $30,981 is higher than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $43,289 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$267 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$374 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$30,981
$19,974
Spending / Student
$43,289
$18,396
Best Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2400 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 828-2814
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 828-2814
Grades: K-5
| 612 students
Rank: #22.
Webster Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3602 Winter Canyon
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 456-6494
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 456-6494
Grades: K-5
| 205 students
Rank: #33.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
801 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 395-0941
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 395-0941
Grades: K-5
| 588 students
Rank: #44.
Grant Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2368 Pearl St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 450-7651
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 450-7651
Grades: K-5
| 570 students
Rank: #55.
Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1501 California Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 393-9227
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 393-9227
Grades: 6-8
| 884 students
Rank: #66.
Edison Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2402 Virginia Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-0335
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-0335
Grades: K-5
| 395 students
Rank: #77.
Malibu High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
30215 Morning View Dr.
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-6801
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-6801
Grades: 9-12
| 390 students
Rank: #88.
Santa Monica High School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
601 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 395-3204
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 395-3204
Grades: 9-12
| 2,573 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2401 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-5011
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-5011
Grades: K-5
| 393 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2525 Fifth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Grades: K-8
| 219 students
Rank: #1111.
Malibu Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
30237 Morning View Dr.
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-6801
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-6801
Grades: 6-8
| 247 students
Rank: #1212.
Malibu Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6955 Fernhill Dr.
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-9370
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-9370
Grades: K-5
| 191 students
Rank: #1313.
Will Rogers Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2401 14th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2364
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2364
Grades: K-5
| 523 students
Rank: #1414.
John Adams Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2425 16th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2326
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2326
Grades: 6-8
| 808 students
Rank: #1515.
John Muir Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2526 Sixth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 399-7721
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 399-7721
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Rank: #1616.
Olympic High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
721 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-2494
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-2494
Grades: 9-12
| 32 students
Rank: n/an/a
1651 16th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 450-8338
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 450-8338
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District?
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District manages 17 public schools serving 8,630 students.
What is the rank of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District?
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is ranked #106 out of 1,925 school districts in California (top 10%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 10%), Highest math proficiency (Top 10%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%), Highest science proficiency (Top 10%), Highest graduation rate (Top 1%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District?
48% of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District students are White, 30% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Asian, 7% of students are Black, and 7% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District?
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 19:1, which is lower than the California state average of 22:1.
What is Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $43,289 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Recent Articles

Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.

2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.

Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.