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MalibuAirPhoto: The original uploader was Tillman at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.0
A
Schools in Malibu · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District

Malibu’s public schools outscore 89% of California districts

On the state math tests, 58% of Malibu’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Malibu, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#77of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
75%
▲ 28 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
58%
▲ 25 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95%
▲ 9 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$22.8K
▲ 8% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.6
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
1,063 students on the public path
In brief

Malibu’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 158 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Malibu’s, its schools beat 69%, lower than their 89% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 75% and math 58% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $22,837 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Malibu Middle, then Malibu High. Enrollment is down 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Our Lady of Malibu School (private), Sycamore School (private) and Point Dume School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Malibu’s grade

A Test scoresB+ Graduation

A: better than 89% of California school districts, #77 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 89%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (158)Better than 69%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 4,580 test results and a graduating class of 785 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Malibu’s students in the tested grades sat them (4,590 in math, 4,571 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Malibu, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–8Malibu MiddleSanta Monica-Malibu Unified School DistrictNo scores
9–12Malibu HighSanta Monica-Malibu Unified School DistrictA

Malibu’s public schools are run by Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, which also serves Santa Monica. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 15 schools · 8,616 students, down 13% since 2020–21 · 18.6 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$22,837CA $21,206 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading75%
State average 46.7% · 4571 students tested
Math58%
State average 33.1% · 4590 students tested

Malibu vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Malibu’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MalibuASanta Monica-Malibu Unified
Los AngelesB−Los Angeles Unified

Every school in Malibu

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Malibuby address
Malibu Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
242 students19:1Rate it →
Webster Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
178 students14:1Rate it →
Malibu Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
256 students14:1Rate it →
Malibu High
High · Grades 9–12
A
387 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Our Lady of Malibu School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
91 students6:1Rate it →
Sycamore School
Elementary · Grades K–5
Private · Nonsectarian
42 students6:1Rate it →
Point Dume School
Grades 1–9
Private · Special education
16 students3:1Rate it →

Questions about Malibu’s schools

Are Malibu’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Malibu children attend outscore 89% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #77 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 69%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Malibu in?

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 8,616 students in 15 schools (2024–25).

Where do Malibu kids go to high school?

Malibu High, with 387 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Malibu’s graduation rate?

95% of the class of 2023 in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Malibu spend per student?

$22,837 in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Malibu?

Yes: Our Lady of Malibu School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 91 students), Sycamore School (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 42 students) and Point Dume School (special education, grades 1–9, 16 students).

Parents talk

What Malibu families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Malibu → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.