Excellent
#67 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 1% in state
Santa Monica High
High School · Santa Monica-malibu Unified · Santa Monica, CA
A Santa Monica-malibu Unified high school where students score 13 points above what's typical for similar communities.
601 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Math 57% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 84% vs CA 52% (2024)
- 97.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Santa Monica High score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 6 points since 2017, reaching 70% in 2024.
Show all 12 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 60% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 75% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
30.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Santa Monica High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Los Angeles map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 94Walker's Paradise
- Transit 76Excellent Transit
- Bike 91Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety: High5,630/100K
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Santa Monica), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$114,489
Median home value
$1,940,700
Median rent
$2,311/mo
College educated
69.8%
Homeownership
31.1%
Poverty rate
9.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 90405; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic High (continuation)Enrollment path unverified | 4.3 | 9–12 | 0.6 mi | 32 | Compare → |
| Dragon Rocc AcademyPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K–12 | 0.7 mi | 262 | Compare → |
| Crossroads School for Arts & SciencesPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K–12 | 1.1 mi | 1,202 | Compare → |
| Crossroads School for Arts & SciencesPrivate · tuition | 6.3private | K–12 | 1.1 mi | 1,213 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Santa Monica-malibu Unified
- Schools in district
- 17
- Rank in district
- #1 of 15
- District spending per student
- $24,994NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 8.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
Santa Monica High is listed in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Santa Monica High
Santa Monica High is a public high school in Santa Monica, CA, part of Santa Monica-malibu Unified, serving approximately 2,573 students in grades 9th-12th with a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10 and ranks #67 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
What's said publicly about Santa Monica High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Santa Monica High
What grades does Santa Monica High serve?
Santa Monica High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Santa Monica High?
Santa Monica High has an enrollment of approximately 2,573 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Monica High?
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Monica High is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Santa Monica High rank in CA?
Santa Monica High ranks #67 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Santa Monica High's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Monica High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Santa Monica High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Santa Monica High has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Santa Monica High a charter school?
No, Santa Monica High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Santa Monica High a Title I school?
No, Santa Monica High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Monica High?
30.8% of students at Santa Monica High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,573
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 135
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.8%
- Phone
- (310) 395-3204
- 4-Year Graduation
- 97.0%
- Area population (ZIP 90405)
- 26,809
- Area average commute
- 27.4 min
- Area median age
- 42.2
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 90405; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
Related 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.