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
Enrollment
612
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Franklin Elementary — Students at Franklin Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
8.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 83.44% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 84.59% (2024).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (310) 828-2814
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified- District Enrollment
- 8,641
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,994
- District Rank
- #11 of 15
Other Schools in This District
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
- 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.