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Below Average

#1581 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Sycamore School

Elementary School

3504 LAS FLORES CANYON RD, Malibu, CA 90265

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Sycamore School compares to the 4 public schools in Malibu, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.5:1
This School
vs
16.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
35
This School
vs
258
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.9
This School
vs
8.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 88.6% vs 0%
Black 5.7% vs 0%
Asian 5.7% vs 0%
Sycamore School Malibu Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,020
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 3.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 21%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 35
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)

White 88.6%
Black 5.7%
Asian 5.7%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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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