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Very Good

#1936 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 20% in state

Franklin Elementary

Elementary School · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

2400 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403

Enrollment

612

Student-Teacher

21.1:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Monica

#8 of 12

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,358 of 5,817

In district

#11 of 15

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Franklin Elementary

Franklin Elementary stands as one of California's top-performing elementary schools, serving 612 students in kindergarten through fifth grade with a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1. Located on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, the school has earned an exceptional 9.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #123 out of 9,566 California elementary schools, placing it in the 99th percentile statewide. Academic achievement at Franklin Elementary is remarkable, with 84% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 83% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics.

These outstanding results reflect the dedication of the school's 29 full-time equivalent teachers and the strong educational foundation provided to students across all grade levels. The school serves families in the 90403 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $123,391 and an impressive 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. This highly educated community, with a median home value of $1,597,800, demonstrates a strong commitment to academic excellence that aligns with Franklin Elementary's superior performance.

Franklin Elementary operates within Santa Monica's small city environment, offering students the benefits of both excellent urban amenities and a close-knit community atmosphere that supports learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Franklin Elementary is 21.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.6%
Math vs. State Avg+37.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+41.8 pts
Overall Proficiency84%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+13.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,739

Franklin Elementary — Students at Franklin Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

8.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 84.2%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 85.0%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
87%
ELA
89%
2024
Math
83.5%
ELA
84%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Franklin Elementary Compares

See how Franklin Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
80th percentile in CA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
9%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

2400 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Franklin Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Roosevelt Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Santa Monica, see our Santa Monica schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Lighthouse Church School Santa Monica 0.6 mi
LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH SCHOOL Santa Monica 0.6 mi 7.2
PACIFICA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Santa Monica 0.7 mi 7.1
Lincoln Middle Santa Monica 0.8 mi 9.0
McKinley Elementary Santa Monica 0.7 mi 8.0
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Monica 0.9 mi 7.1
Lighthouse Christian Academy Santa Monica 0.9 mi
Brentwood Science Los Angeles 1.0 mi 7.1
WALDORF EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Santa Monica 1.1 mi
Westside Waldorf School Santa Monica 1.1 mi
ST ANNES SCHOOL Santa Monica 1.0 mi 7.0
St. Anne Elementary Santa Monica 1.0 mi
St. Matthew's Parish School Santa Monica 1.1 mi
PS1 Pluralistic School Santa Monica 1.2 mi
PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL Santa Monica 1.2 mi 6.7
Tarbiyatul ILM Academy Global Los Angeles 1.0 mi
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Los Angeles 1.1 mi
CROSSROADS SCHOOL FOR ARTS & SCIENCES Santa Monica 1.2 mi 6.3
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences Santa Monica 1.2 mi
Roosevelt Elementary Santa Monica 1.2 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$121,512

Median Home Value

$1,553,500

Median Rent

$2,443/mo

Population

25,087

College Educated

71.5%

Homeownership

28.7%

Avg Commute

28.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

44.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Franklin Elementary has a median household income of $121,512. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,553,500, with a median rent of $2,443/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Altamont Elementary Mountain House, CA 7.7
Anthony G. Bacich Elementary Kentfield, CA 7.7
Armada Elementary Moreno Valley, CA 7.7
Arroyo Elementary Tustin, CA 7.7
Bay Elementary San Lorenzo, CA 7.7
Benjamin Franklin Elementary Glendale, CA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Franklin Elementary

What grades does Franklin Elementary serve?

Franklin Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Franklin Elementary?

Franklin Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 612 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Franklin Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Franklin Elementary is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Franklin Elementary rank in CA?

Franklin Elementary is ranked #1936 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Franklin Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Franklin Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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.

What are the test scores at Franklin Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Franklin Elementary has 84.2% math proficiency and 85.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Franklin Elementary a charter school?

No, Franklin Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Franklin Elementary a Title I school?

No, Franklin Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Franklin Elementary?

8.8% of students at Franklin Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
63 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
55 Good Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,630/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Monica). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
612
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
8.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
District Enrollment
8,641
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,994
District Rank
#11 of 15

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 methodology

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