Santa Monica High

Santa Monica High serves 2,573 students in grades 9 through 12 as a regular public school. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — labeled Exceptional by MySchoolScout — and ranks 15th among 1,892 public high schools in California. That puts it well inside the top 1% statewide.

Academic performance drives that standing. The school's academic score of 9.2 and growth score of 8.7 reflect both strong attainment and sustained year-over-year improvement. Santa Monica High outperforms 99% of public schools across California — a distinction that extends well beyond local comparisons.

Within Santa Monica, it ranks second among 12 public schools, making it the clear top-tier option for families staying in the district. Each teacher serves roughly 19 students on average, a classroom load typical of large urban high schools. For parents evaluating California's public high school landscape more broadly, Santa Monica High sits at #137 out of 9,533 public schools statewide — a position that makes it one of the most competitive public options in a state with nearly 10,000 of them.

Families weighing schools across the Los Angeles metro will find this school difficult to outrank at any comparable public institution. --- **Word count: 186**

Santa Monica High is a large school with 2,573 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.