May 14, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

SMMUSD Schools Recognized as Top in California and Nation

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has a long history of ranking well among high schools in the state and nation, as well as schools earning state and national distinctions as National Blue Ribbon School, California Distinguished School and Gold Ribbon School.

The trend continued this past school year with the announcement of several awards placing SMMUSD schools once again in the top tier in the state and nation.

U.S. News & World Report, a global authority in education rankings, ranked the top-performing high schools in the state and country in April 2017, placing both Malibu High School and Santa Monica High School in Gold and Silver categories, respectively, out of 22,000 schools reviewed. Malibu High School ranked #279 in the nation and #45 in California and Samohi ranked #606 nationally and #105 in California. These are tremendous accomplishments at both schools. The U.S. News rankings highlight public schools that best serve all of their students, including disadvantaged populations.

The Washington Post ranked Malibu High School #531 nationally in its annual Most Challenging High Schools list in May 2017, based on a formula that includes advanced placement tests divided by the number of seniors who graduated that year.

“Our students, parents, administrators and staff can all be proud of what we have accomplished together for our students,” Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati said. “Our Excellence through Equity plan provides a focused approach going forward toward ensuring that all students have opportunities for success and are college and career ready.”

Edison Language Academy earned a National Blue Ribbon award this past year and was named as a 2016 Star Honor Roll School and STEM Honor Roll School recipient. These annual awards are given by the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE) and recognizes public schools that demonstrate consistently high levels of student academic achievement, improvement over time and reduction in achievement gaps. Edison is a TK-5 dual immersion language school that is open to all students throughout the district. Visit the Edison website for more enrollment information.

Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH) earned Scholar Honor Roll school designation by ERP and CBEE for recognition of being high performing, without significant 2 levels of low-income students. SMASH is a school of choice open to all students in SMMUSD.

Visit the SMASH website for more enrollment information. Franklin Elementary School was also named a Scholar Honor Roll school by ERP and CBEE. Franklin serves students in a determined boundary within Santa Monica.

“We are proud to be recognized in California and nationally by national media, education and business organizations,” Dr. Drati said. Please visit www.smmusd.org, follow @SMMUSD on Twitter, or like on Facebook.

Related Posts

Beverly Hills to Conduct Emergency Siren Test Across City This Week

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Sirens Will Sound as Part of Safety Program Checkup Three-minute activation of Beverly Hills’ Outdoor Warning System will take place...

Governor Newsom Unveils Homelessness Policy Model, Offers Billions to Spur Local Solutions

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

$3.3 Billion in Prop 1 Funds Released Alongside Governor’s Model Ordinance Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a model ordinance Tuesday designed...

Getty Center Extends Hours and Launches Summer Lineup With Music, Pride Exhibits

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Museum Gets a Vibrant Summer Makeover With LGBTQ+ Exhibits, and Live Music Beginning June 17, 2025, the Getty Center will...

Brentwood Art Center: Creative Art Camps for Kids and Teens this Summer

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The beloved Brentwood Art Center is hosting summer camps at its new location at Olympic & 17th in Santa Monica. ...

Ten Hospitalized in Listeria Outbreak Linked to Los Angeles Company’s Ready-to-Eat Foods

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

FDA: Contaminated Sandwiches, Snacks Sold in California, Produced in LA Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria...

Loyola High School, Community Honors Braun Levi, 18, After Tragedy in Manhattan Beach

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Scholarship Fund Launched; Suspect with Suspended License Held Without Bail Tributes poured in over the weekend for Loyola High School...

Saint Monica Prep: Mariner Sports Camps Focus on Fundamentals

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Coaches that led Saint Monica Preparatory’s Mariner sports teams to win league and division titles are offering opportunities for the...

Century City Office Tower Nears Full Occupancy With New Lease by Artists First

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Talent Agency Relocates to a Newly Revamped Century City Tower Talent management and production firm Artists First has signed a...

Cheviot Hills Kidnapping: Armed Intruders Seize Resident, Dump Victim 20 Miles Away

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

LAPD Seeks Suspects in Armed Home Invasion and Kidnapping Cheviot Hills was the scene of a kidnapping that unfolded in...

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Slash Price on Beverly Hills Megamansion

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Celebrity Couple’s Former Estate Hits the Market Again at $59.95 Million Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have lowered the price...

Brentwood Luxury Home Market Booms as Petra Ecclestone Lists $41.95M Estate

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Formula One Heiress’ Home Hits the Market After Fires Impact Local Community Petra Ecclestone and Sam Palmer have listed their...

Dump Truck Plows Into Historic Music Club, Disrupts Sunset Boulevard Commute

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Traffic Snarled and Power Out After a Truck Crash on the Sunset Strip  Traffic came to a standstill on Sunset...

Laughter Heals: Sober & Standing (Up!) Returns to El Rey Theatre for Mental Health Month

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Comedians in Recovery Take the Stage to Raise Funds for Phoenix House California Laughter will once again echo through the...

Sunshine Beach Volleyball Camps: Register Open for Summer Camps

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Summer is coming. For young volleyball athletes, that means registration for the Sunshine Westside Beach Camp and South Bay Beach...

Santa Monica’s Own Takes Home Top Beer Honors with a World-Class Brew

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Basil, Citrus, and Craftsmanship: See Which Local Brewery Just Won Big Santa Monica Brew Works (SMBW) just took home a...