Photo: Evanthomas1 at English Wikipedia · Public domainManhattan Beach’s public schools outscore 95% of California districts
On the state math tests, 73% of Manhattan Beach’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Manhattan Beach, 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.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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.
Manhattan Beach’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 180 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Manhattan Beach’s, its schools beat 83%, lower than their 95% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 82% and math 73% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,571 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Manhattan Beach Middle, then Mira Costa High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
American Martyrs School (private), Manhattan Academy (private), Montessori School of Manhattan Beach - Peck (private), Journey of Faith Christian School (private), Manhattan Academy (private) and Beach Cities Learning Center (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.
What’s behind Manhattan Beach’s grade
A+: better than 95% of California school districts, #29 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Manhattan Beach, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,175 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,175 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,175 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Manhattan Beach
Mira Costa High
Grades 9–12 · 2,473 students · 25:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Manhattan Beach
Mira Costa High
Grades 9–12 · 2,473 students · 25:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Manhattan Beach
Mira Costa High
Grades 9–12 · 2,473 students · 25:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Manhattan Beach
Mira Costa High
Grades 9–12 · 2,473 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Manhattan Beach’s public schools are run by Manhattan Beach Unified School District. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Manhattan Beach vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Manhattan Beach’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan Beach | A+ | Manhattan Beach Unified |
| Hermosa Beach | A+ | Hermosa Beach City Elementary |
| El Segundo | A | El Segundo Unified K–12 · Wiseburn Unified K–12 |
| Redondo Beach | A | Redondo Beach Unified |
Every school in Manhattan Beach
13 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Manhattan Beach Preschool).
Questions about Manhattan Beach’s schools
Are Manhattan Beach’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Manhattan Beach children attend outscore 95% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #29 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 83%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Manhattan Beach in?
Manhattan Beach Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 5,887 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Manhattan Beach kids go to high school?
Mira Costa High, with 2,473 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Manhattan Beach’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Manhattan Beach Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Manhattan Beach spend per student?
$18,571 in Manhattan Beach Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Manhattan Beach?
Yes: American Martyrs School (Catholic, grades K–8, 712 students), Manhattan Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 221 students), Montessori School of Manhattan Beach - Peck (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 175 students), Journey of Faith Christian School (religious, grades PK–K, 130 students), Manhattan Academy (nonsectarian, grades 1–5, 55 students) and Beach Cities Learning Center (special education, grades 6–12, 31 students).
Parents talk
What Manhattan Beach families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Manhattan Beach → 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.