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Schools in Pepperdine University · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District

Pepperdine University’s public schools outscore 89% of California districts

58% of students in Pepperdine University’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Pepperdine University, 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
0
8,370 students on the public path
In brief

Pepperdine University’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 150 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pepperdine University’s, its schools beat 65%, 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 ↓

Eight elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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 Pepperdine University’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 (150)Better than 65%
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 Pepperdine University’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 Pepperdine University, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–58 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–83 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC−
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressA

Pepperdine University’s public schools are run by Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, which also serves Malibu and 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

Pepperdine University vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Pepperdine UniversityASanta Monica-Malibu Unified
MalibuASanta Monica-Malibu Unified

Every school in Pepperdine University

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).

Also serving Pepperdine Universityin other towns
Franklin Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Santa Monica
597 students20:1Rate it →
Grant Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Santa Monica
562 students20:1Rate it →
Roosevelt Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Santa Monica
552 students18:1Rate it →
Will Rogers Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Santa Monica
522 students19:1Rate it →
Edison Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Santa Monica
404 students19:1Rate it →
McKinley Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Santa Monica
362 students17:1Rate it →
Malibu Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Malibu
242 students19:1Rate it →
Webster Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Malibu
178 students14:1Rate it →
Lincoln Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Santa Monica
C−
914 students21:1Rate it →
John Adams Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Santa Monica
806 students18:1Rate it →
Malibu Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Malibu
256 students14:1Rate it →
Santa Monica High
High · Grades 9–12 · Santa Monica
2,588 students20:1Rate it →
Malibu High
High · Grades 9–12 · Malibu
A
387 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Pepperdine University’s schools

Are Pepperdine University’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Pepperdine University 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 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Pepperdine University in?

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

Where do Pepperdine University kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Santa Monica High and Malibu High.

What is Pepperdine University’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 Pepperdine University 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.

Parents talk

What Pepperdine University families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pepperdine University → 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.