Best Schools in Malibu, California
9 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Malibu?
Use this page to compare every school in Malibu by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Malibu Elementary
Elementary · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Malibu Middle
Middle · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Malibu High
High · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Malibu for 2026 are Malibu Elementary (8.3/10), Malibu Middle (7.2/10), and Malibu High (7.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
4 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
4 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +5.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Malibu schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Malibu
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malibu Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Malibu Middle | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Malibu High | 7.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Webster Elementary | 5.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $191,080
- Median home value
- $2,000,001
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 71%
- Avg commute
- 33 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Malibu compares
California rank
#237 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$191k
192% of California median
Schools in this city
6
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified runs Malibu's public schools
4 public schools. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Malibu is a Santa Monica-Malibu Unified school (4 of 4).
Among 4 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.1 to 8.3 — the spread is inside Malibu, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Malibu, California
Malibu, California is home to 9 schools, including 4 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.6 out of 10, schools in Malibu show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Malibu is Malibu Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Malibu is served by 1 school district: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified. These districts collectively serve 8,641 students.
Malibu's community shows 71% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $191,080. The poverty rate in the area is 10.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 191 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 205 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Our Lady of Malibu SchoolPrivate 86 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Sycamore SchoolPrivate 42 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Mckinna Learning AcademyPrivate 15 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 247 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 390 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Life Grove, Llc.Private 6 students · 12th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Point Dume SchoolPrivate 16 students · 1st–9th | Not Rated |
Schools in Malibu
Malibu, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$191,080
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
Population
15,914
College Educated
71%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Community Profile
Malibu has a median household income of $191,080. It is a well-educated community where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Malibu, California
How many schools are in Malibu, California?
Malibu has 9 schools, including 4 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Malibu, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Malibu is 6.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Malibu, California?
The top-ranked school in Malibu on MySchoolScout is Malibu Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Malibu, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Malibu on MySchoolScout is Malibu Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Malibu, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Malibu on MySchoolScout is Malibu Middle with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best high school in Malibu, California?
The top-ranked high school in Malibu on MySchoolScout is Malibu High with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Malibu, California?
Malibu is served by 1 school district: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified.
What is the education level in Malibu, California?
According to Census data, 71% of adults in Malibu have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Malibu, California?
The median household income in Malibu is approximately $191,080 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Malibu, California?
Yes, Malibu has 5 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Our Lady of Malibu School with a score of 6.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Malibu, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Malibu is 9.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Malibu, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.