Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District

1651 16th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404-3891
(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 2025 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 2,158 students in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public middle schools in California.
Public Middle Schools in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 73% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
17 Schools
3,501 Schools
# Students
8,630 Students
1,854,363 Students
# Teachers
452 Teachers
87,821 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 1,910 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
0.64
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
8%
11%
% Hispanic
30%
55%
% Black
7%
5%
% White
48%
22%
% 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.
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
$18,396

Best Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Public Middle Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1501 California Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 393-9227
Gr: 6-8 | 884 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #22.
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2525 Fifth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Gr: K-8 | 219 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
Malibu Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
30237 Morning View Dr.
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-6801
Gr: 6-8 | 247 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #44.
John Adams Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2425 16th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2326
Gr: 6-8 | 808 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 68%

Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.

Quick Facts (2025)

  • District size: 17 schools
  • Grades: KG-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