Below Average
#1581 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Sycamore School
Elementary School
3504 LAS FLORES CANYON RD, Malibu, CA 90265
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Malibu
#2 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#964 of 1,102
About Sycamore School
Sycamore School serves 35 students in kindergarten through fifth grade with an exceptionally small class environment featuring a 6.5:1 student-teacher ratio and 5 full-time equivalent teachers. This intimate elementary school has earned strong recognition, ranking #528 out of 1,790 schools statewide and placing in the 71st percentile among California elementary schools, with an impressive 9.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school's small enrollment allows for highly personalized attention and individualized learning experiences that many families find appealing.
With fewer than 40 students total, children develop close relationships with both peers and teachers throughout their elementary years. Located on Las Flores Canyon Road, Sycamore School sits in an affluent Malibu community where 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $186,264. The surrounding ZIP code 90265 maintains a low poverty rate of 8.1% and features median home values exceeding $2 million, reflecting the area's exclusivity.
This small public elementary school operates within one of California's most prestigious coastal communities, offering families an intimate educational setting in the heart of scenic Malibu's large suburban landscape.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 35 students, Sycamore School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, Sycamore School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Sycamore School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $22,214
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $28,439
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.28x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 0%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $1.1M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 35 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Sycamore School compares to the 4 public schools in Malibu, CA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Malibu
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sycamore School (this school) | 4.9 |
| Webster Elementary | 9.4 |
| Malibu Elementary | 5.8 |
| Malibu High | 8.5 |
| Malibu Middle | 8.4 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
3504 LAS FLORES CANYON RD, Malibu, CA 90265
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sycamore School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Webster Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Topanga Elementary Charter (rated 9.1/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Topanga), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marquez Charter (rated 8.8/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Pacific Palisades), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Malibu, see our Malibu schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Topanga Elementary Charter Topanga | 3.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Webster Elementary Malibu | 3.4 mi | 9.4 |
| Our Lady of Malibu Malibu | 3.5 mi | — |
| OUR LADY OF MALIBU SCHOOL Malibu | 3.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Manzanita School and Institute Topanga | 4.6 mi | — |
| MANZANITA SCHOOL AND INSTITUTE Topanga | 4.6 mi | 7.5 |
| WESTSIDE WALDORF SCHOOL Pacific Palisades | 4.9 mi | 7.4 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pacific Palisades | 4.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Viewpoint School Calabasas | 6.2 mi | — |
| VIEWPOINT SCHOOL Calabasas | 6.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Marquez Charter Pacific Palisades | 5.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles-Pac Pali Pacific Palisades | 5.4 mi | — |
| Calabasas High Calabasas | 6.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Bay Laurel Elementary Calabasas | 6.6 mi | 6.8 |
| ST MATTHEW'S PARISH SCHOOL Pacific Palisades | 5.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Chaparral Elementary Calabasas | 6.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Alice C. Stelle Middle Calabasas | 6.8 mi | 6.3 |
| MONTESSORI OF CALABASAS Calabasas | 7.0 mi | — |
| Louisville High School Woodland Hills | 7.3 mi | — |
| LOUISVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Woodland Hills | 7.3 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90265 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$191,080
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
Population
15,914
College Educated
71.4%
Homeownership
78.5%
Avg Commute
32.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Median Age
50.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sycamore School has a median household income of $191,080. It is a well-educated community where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| ARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Gabriel, CA | 4.9 |
| KINDERLAND MONTESSORI Chula Vista, CA | 4.9 |
| MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Laguna Niguel, CA | 4.9 |
| SANTA LUCIA SCHOOL Templeton, CA | 4.9 |
| UNITED AUBURN INDIAN COMMUNITY TRIBAL SCHOOL Loomis, CA | 4.9 |
| EL CAJON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Cajon, CA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sycamore School
What grades does Sycamore School serve?
Sycamore School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Sycamore School?
Sycamore School has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sycamore School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sycamore School is 6.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Sycamore School rank in CA?
Sycamore School is ranked #1581 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Sycamore School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sycamore School has a composite rating of 4.9 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.
Is Sycamore School a private school?
Yes, Sycamore School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Sycamore School a religious school?
No, Sycamore School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,329/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Malibu). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 35
- Gender Split
- 71% M / 29% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 170 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- LOS ANGELES
- Phone
- (310) 456-1980
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.