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 2026-27 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 3,005 students in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% 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 56% 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
2,790 Schools
# Students
8,616 Students
2,122,151 Students
# Teachers
464 Teachers
101,015 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 1,903 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.
Overall District Rank
#119 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
29%
Graduation Rate
94%
86.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)20.6%
27.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.63
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
8%
12%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
30%
56%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
7%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
48%
21%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $36,467 is higher than the state median of $26,022. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $42,093 is higher than the state median of $22,604. The school district spending/student has grown by 20% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$314 MM
$150,628 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$363 MM
$130,845 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$36,467
$26,022
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$42,093
$22,604
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Public High Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 2,588 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #22.
Malibu High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
30215 Morning View Dr.
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-6801
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-6801
Gr: 9-12 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #33.
Olympic High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
721 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-2494
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-2494
Gr: 9-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
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