The Santa Monica Alternative School House is an alternative school in Southern California that was founded in 1973 to emphasize "non-authoritarian, non-competitive, non-sexist methods".
Serving 219 students in grades Kindergarten-8, Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) ranks in the top 20% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 60-64% (which is higher than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 70-74% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Alternative school
- Grades: Kindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 219 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 46%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in CA
- Math Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 70-74% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 50-59% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Most improved public schools
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Student Attention
School Overview
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)'s student population of 219 students has declined by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 10 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
Total Students
219 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
10 teachers
School Calendar
School Rankings
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) ranks within the top 20% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) is 0.65, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1004 out of 9523 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-74%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
29%
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
10%
12%
Hispanic
19%
56%
Black
5%
5%
White
54%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
12%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Eligible for Free Lunch
12%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)'s ranking?
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) is ranked #1004 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in California.
What schools are Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) often compared to?
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)is often viewed alongside schools like Grant Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
60-64% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 70-74% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
How many students attend Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)?
219 students attend Santa Monica Alternative (K-8).
What is the racial composition of the student body?
54% of Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) students are White, 19% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Two or more races, 10% of students are Asian, and 5% of students are Black.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)?
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) offer ?
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-8
What school district is Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) part of?
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) is part of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
In what neighborhood is Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) located?
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) is located in the Ocean Park neighborhood of Santa Monica, CA. There are 2 other public schools located in Ocean Park.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
I love this School for my children! We moved out here from an excellent school system in another state and tried one other school before finding SMASH. The LA County, including SMMUSD, isn't anything to brag about. But SMASH has excellent Parent involvement, Teacher involvement, low numbered student body and it's learning environment is so welcoming and distinctively different from most other schools in the area. The kids have so many opportunities from art, music, sports and they just added a Foreign Language to the curriculum. Everything is laid right out for you as a Parent so you don't have to guess and the are informative, kind and it's just great. I love the facility too.
Review Santa Monica Alternative (K-8). Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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