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
Enrollment
219
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 68.75% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72.41% (2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (310) 396-2640
- 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
- #10 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.