Best Schools in Santa Monica, California
36 schools · 23 Elementary · 2 Middle · 9 High · 2 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $122,095
- Median home value
- $1,556,680
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 71%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 32%
73% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Santa Monica compares
California rank
#61 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$122k
123% of California median
Schools in this city
22
About Schools in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California is home to 36 schools, including 12 public schools and 24 private schools. The city's schools span 23 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 9 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Santa Monica perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Santa Monica is Edison Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Santa Monica is served by 2 school districts: Los Angeles Unified, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified. These districts collectively serve 428,570 students.
Santa Monica's community shows 71% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $122,095. The poverty rate in the area is 12.1%.
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
23 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 395 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.3 | ||
| 2 | 570 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 3 | 393 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 | ||
| 4 | 219 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.9 | ||
| 5 | 612 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 6 | 588 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 7 | 387 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 8 | 523 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.2 | ||
| Private Schools 15 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | CARLTHORP SCHOOL
Private
280 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 221 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH SCHOOL
Private
91 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | ST ANNES SCHOOL
Private
142 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL
Private
208 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | St. Matthew's Parish School
Private
277 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Westside Waldorf School
Private
72 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | 21 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 9 | SmartStart Academy
Private
9 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 10 | Sycamore Community School
Private
116 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 11 | St. Anne Elementary
Private
117 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 12 | Carlthorp
Private
286 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 13 | PS1 Pluralistic School
Private
201 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 14 | Lighthouse Church School
Private
118 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 15 | WALDORF EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
Private
15 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 884 students · 6th–8th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 808 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
High Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,573 students · 9th–12th | 9.2 | ||
| 2 | 32 students · 9th–12th | 4.5 | ||
| Private Schools 7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ST MONICA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Private
371 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | PACIFICA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
Private
262 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
44 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | DRAGON ROCC ACADEMY
Private
262 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Lighthouse Christian Academy
Private
40 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | 1,202 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | New Roads School
Private
545 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NEW ROADS SCHOOL
Private
548 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | 1,213 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Santa Monica
Santa Monica, California · 36 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 5 ZIP codes
Median Income
$122,095
Median Home Value
$1,556,680
Median Rent
$2,419/mo
Population
93,880
College Educated
71%
Homeownership
32%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Community Profile
Santa Monica has a median household income of $122,095. 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 $1,556,680, with a median rent of $2,419/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 36
- Elementary
- 23
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 9
- Districts
- 2
- Avg Rating
- 7.3/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Santa Monica, California
How many schools are in Santa Monica, California?
Santa Monica has 36 schools, including 12 public and 24 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Santa Monica, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Santa Monica is 7.3 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Santa Monica, California?
The top-ranked school in Santa Monica on MySchoolScout is Edison Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Santa Monica, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Santa Monica on MySchoolScout is Edison Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Santa Monica, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Santa Monica on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Middle with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best high school in Santa Monica, California?
The top-ranked high school in Santa Monica on MySchoolScout is Santa Monica High with a composite score of 9.2/10.
How many school districts serve Santa Monica, California?
Santa Monica is served by 2 school districts: Los Angeles Unified, Santa Monica-malibu Unified.
What is the education level in Santa Monica, California?
According to Census data, 71% of adults in Santa Monica have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Santa Monica, California?
The median household income in Santa Monica is approximately $122,095 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Santa Monica, California?
Yes, Santa Monica has 24 private schools alongside 12 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Monica Catholic High School with a score of 7.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Santa Monica, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Santa Monica is 14.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Santa Monica, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.