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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Monica Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 7,944 students in Santa Monica, CA (there are 18 private schools, serving 3,927 private students). 71% of all K-12 students in Santa Monica, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%). Santa Monica has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in California.
The top-ranked public schools in Santa Monica, CA are Canyon Charter Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School and Grant Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Monica, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 75% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Santa Monica have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Santa Monica, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Canyon Charter Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
421 Entrada Dr.
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 454-7510
Gr: K-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #22.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2400 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 828-2814
Gr: K-5 | 597 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #33.
Grant Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2368 Pearl St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 450-7651
Gr: K-5 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #44.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
801 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 395-0941
Gr: K-5 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #55.
Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1501 California Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 393-9227
Gr: 6-8 | 914 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #66.
Edison Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2402 Virginia Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-0335
Gr: K-5 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #77.
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2525 Fifth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Gr: K-8 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #88.
Santa Monica High School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
601 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 395-3204
Gr: 9-12 | 2,588 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #99.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2401 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-5011
Gr: K-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1010.
Will Rogers Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2401 14th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2364
Gr: K-5 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1111.
John Adams Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2425 16th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2326
Gr: 6-8 | 806 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1212.
Olympic High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
721 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-2494
Gr: 9-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1313.
John Muir Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2526 Sixth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 399-7721
Gr: K-5
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Monica-malibu Preschool
1651 16th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 450-8338

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Santa Monica, CA?
How many public schools are located in Santa Monica?
14 public schools are located in Santa Monica.
What percentage of students in Santa Monica go to public school?
71% of all K-12 students in Santa Monica are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Monica?
Santa Monica public schools minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Santa Monica are often viewed compared to one another?

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