ÿÈÕ³Ô¹Ï

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District

1717 4th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401-3319
(District boundaries shown in map)
10/
10
Top 10%

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 10%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 2,995 students in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 82% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District have a Graduation Rate of 94%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Santa Monica High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
17 Schools
2,813 Schools
# Students
8,630 Students
2,140,343 Students
# Teachers
452 Teachers
100,763 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, which is ranked #122 of all 1,908 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 94% has increased from 91% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (CA)
#119 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 10%)
57%
34%
75%
47%
55%
29%
94%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.67
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
8%
11%
% Hispanic
30%
56%
% Black
7%
5%
% White
48%
22%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
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 22% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $43,289 is higher than the state median of $18,395. The school district spending/student has grown by 27% over four school years.
This School District
This State (CA)
Total Revenue
$267 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$374 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$30,981
$19,974
Spending / Student
$43,289
$18,395

Best Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Public High Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Santa Monica High School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
601 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 395-3204
Gr: 9-12 | 2,573 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #22.
Malibu High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
30215 Morning View Dr.
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-6801
Gr: 9-12 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
Olympic High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
721 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-2494
Gr: 9-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 84%

Recent Articles

Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 17 schools
  • Grades: K-12
  • Enrollment: 8,630 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 52%
  • : 94% (Top 10% in CA)
  • : Top 10%
  • : 57% (Top 10%)
  • : 75% (Top 5%)
  • : 55% (Top 10%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Quick Links