Very Good
#234 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 13% of private schools
Carlthorp School
Elementary School
438 SAN VICENTE BLVD, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 12 schools in Santa Monica. Learn more
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Santa Monica
#2 of 10
public schools
California elementary schools
#124 of 1,102
Academic performance
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Carlthorp School
Carlthorp School serves 280 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Santa Monica, California. This elementary school stands out with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 5.0 to 1, supported by 56 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive significant individual attention. The school has earned strong recognition, ranking #203 out of 1,790 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 89th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10.
This high performance reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence during these crucial early learning years. Students at Carlthorp School benefit from being part of a highly educated community where 79% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 90402 ZIP code has a median household income of $171,844 and a low poverty rate of 6.9%, indicating strong community resources and family support for education.
The median home value of approximately $2 million reflects the area's desirability and investment in quality of life. Located on San Vicente Boulevard in this affluent Santa Monica neighborhood, Carlthorp School operates within a small city setting that combines the benefits of urban amenities with a more intimate community feel, providing students with both educational opportunities and a supportive environment for their elementary school experience.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Carlthorp School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Carlthorp School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $46,377
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $50,299
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.08x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 75%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $49.6M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 280 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Carlthorp School compares to 10 public schools serving similar grades in Santa Monica, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carlthorp School (this school) | 7.5 |
| Canyon Charter Elementary | 6.3 |
| Roosevelt Elementary | 7.3 |
| Lincoln Middle | 9.0 |
| Franklin Elementary | 7.7 |
| McKinley Elementary | 8.0 |
| Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) | 7.9 |
| Will Rogers Elementary | 5.2 |
| John Adams Middle | 8.1 |
| Edison Elementary | 9.3 |
| Grant Elementary | 8.1 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
438 SAN VICENTE BLVD, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carlthorp School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Palisades Charter Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Pacific Palisades), which scores notably higher. Another option is Franklin Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Roosevelt Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Monica, see our Santa Monica schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Carlthorp Santa Monica | 0.0 mi | — |
| Canyon Charter Elementary Santa Monica | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Santa Monica | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| ST MONICA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Santa Monica | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| ST MONICA CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Monica | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Sycamore Community School Santa Monica | 1.0 mi | — |
| DRAGON ROCC ACADEMY Santa Monica | 1.1 mi | — |
| Lincoln Middle Santa Monica | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pacific Palisades | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| VILLAGE SCHOOL Pacific Palisades | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Seven Arrows Elementary Pacific Palisades | 1.4 mi | — |
| SEVEN ARROWS ELEMENTARY Pacific Palisades | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Palisades Charter Elementary Pacific Palisades | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| PACIFICA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Santa Monica | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL Santa Monica | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| PS1 Pluralistic School Santa Monica | 1.5 mi | — |
| Franklin Elementary Santa Monica | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Lighthouse Church School Santa Monica | 1.5 mi | — |
| WALDORF EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Santa Monica | 1.5 mi | — |
| Westside Waldorf School Santa Monica | 1.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90402 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$182,688
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$2,698/mo
Population
11,178
College Educated
79.5%
Homeownership
73.8%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
7%
Median Age
50.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carlthorp School has a median household income of $182,688. It is a well-educated community where 80% 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 $2,698/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ada W. Harris Elementary Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA | 7.5 |
| Angeles Mesa Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 7.5 |
| Aspen Valley Prep Academy Fresno, CA | 7.5 |
| Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego San Marcos, CA | 7.5 |
| Corvallis Elementary San Leandro, CA | 7.5 |
| Del Rey Elementary San Lorenzo, CA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carlthorp School
What grades does Carlthorp School serve?
Carlthorp School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Carlthorp School?
Carlthorp School has an enrollment of approximately 280 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carlthorp School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carlthorp School is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Carlthorp School rank in CA?
Carlthorp School is ranked #234 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Carlthorp School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carlthorp School has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Carlthorp School a private school?
Yes, Carlthorp School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Carlthorp School a religious school?
No, Carlthorp School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 65 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 39 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 88 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (5,630/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Monica). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 280
- Gender Split
- 51% M / 49% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 169 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- LOS ANGELES
- Phone
- (310) 451-1332
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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