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Very Good

#1587 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 17% in state

Santa Monica Alternative (k-8)

Elementary School · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

2525 Fifth St., Santa Monica, CA 90405

Enrollment

219

Student-Teacher

21.9:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Monica

#7 of 12

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,116 of 5,817

In district

#10 of 15

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

Equity

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Santa Monica Alternative (k-8)

Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) serves 219 students from kindergarten through eighth grade as an alternative elementary school in Santa Monica, California. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.9:1, providing a more intimate learning environment than many traditional schools. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 676th out of 9,566 California schools, placing it in the 93rd percentile statewide.

Students achieve notable proficiency rates of 72% in English Language Arts and 69% in mathematics, reflecting the school's academic effectiveness across core subjects. Located at 2525 Fifth Street, Santa Monica Alternative sits in the affluent 90405 neighborhood, where 68% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $101,713. The surrounding community's educational values and resources create a supportive environment for student learning, with median home values of $1.68 million reflecting the area's desirability.

The school operates within Santa Monica's small city setting, offering families an alternative educational approach while maintaining high academic standards. This combination of strong performance metrics and community support makes it an attractive option for parents seeking specialized educational programming in one of Los Angeles County's most desirable coastal communities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) is 21.9:1, 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 Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.4%
Math vs. State Avg+23 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.6 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,739

Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) — Students at Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 68.9%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 73.0%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 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
67%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
69.1%
ELA
72.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.7/10.

How Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) Compares

See how Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

2525 Fifth St., Santa Monica, CA 90405

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Westminster Avenue Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Venice), which scores notably higher. Another option is Broadway Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Venice), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Grant Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Monica, see our Santa Monica schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Olympic High (Continuation) Santa Monica 0.2 mi 4.5
SmartStart Developmental Learning Center Santa Monica 0.3 mi
SmartStart Academy Santa Monica 0.3 mi
Santa Monica High Santa Monica 0.5 mi 9.2
Will Rogers Elementary Santa Monica 0.7 mi 5.2
John Adams Middle Santa Monica 0.9 mi 8.1
Westminster Avenue Elementary Venice 1.1 mi 9.2
PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL Santa Monica 1.2 mi 6.7
PS1 Pluralistic School Santa Monica 1.2 mi
Westside Waldorf School Santa Monica 1.3 mi
WALDORF EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Santa Monica 1.3 mi
DRAGON ROCC ACADEMY Santa Monica 1.3 mi
Animo Venice Charter High Los Angeles 1.2 mi 8.3
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences Santa Monica 1.4 mi
CROSSROADS SCHOOL FOR ARTS & SCIENCES Santa Monica 1.4 mi 6.3
Sycamore Community School Santa Monica 1.3 mi
Broadway Elementary Venice 1.2 mi 8.3
St. Anne Elementary Santa Monica 1.5 mi
ST ANNES SCHOOL Santa Monica 1.5 mi 7.0
Grant Elementary Santa Monica 1.4 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90405 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$114,489

Median Home Value

$1,940,700

Median Rent

$2,311/mo

Population

26,809

College Educated

69.8%

Homeownership

31.1%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

42.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) has a median household income of $114,489. It is a well-educated community where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,940,700, with a median rent of $2,311/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% 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
Aspen Meadow Public Fresno, CA 7.9
BETHANY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Westminster, CA 7.9
Burckhalter Elementary Oakland, CA 7.9
Charles Hoffman Elementary Lake Arrowhead, CA 7.9
Freese Elementary San Diego, CA 7.9
Hooper Avenue Primary Center Los Angeles, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Monica Alternative (k-8)

What grades does Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) serve?

Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Santa Monica Alternative (k-8)?

Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) has an enrollment of approximately 219 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Monica Alternative (k-8)?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) rank in CA?

Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) is ranked #1587 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Santa Monica Alternative (k-8)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Santa Monica Alternative (k-8)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) has 68.9% math proficiency and 73.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) a charter school?

No, Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) a Title I school?

No, Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Monica Alternative (k-8)?

12.8% of students at Santa Monica Alternative (k-8) 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
92 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
60 Good Transit
Bike Score
82 Very 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 – 8th
Enrollment
219
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.8%
Type
alternative
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
#10 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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