Back in motion: Helping you get to school safely

August 5, 2025 4:30 PM
by Edgar Mejia

With the 2025-26 school year fast approaching, we want to wish all our students a successful and inspiring school year ahead!

Pali High School students will be back to their Santa Monica campus on Aug. 13, one week ahead of Samohi and the rest of Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District's Aug. 21 start.

We know that returning to school after summer break, especially if you’re starting at a new school, can feel a bit hectic. That’s why we’ve been working with local partners to make at least one aspect of the new routine smoother: getting to school safely.

Getting our community where they need to go safely is our top priority, especially for students and their caretakers walking, biking and taking public transit to school.

Here are some of the ways we promote safe travel to and from our local schools:

  1. Crossing guards. Our beloved crossing guards will be back this year at every Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) campus to help manage critical intersections. Be sure to wave and say thank you the next time you see your local guard! Click here for a map of crossing guard locations.

  2. Free public transit. Skip the drop-off and parking queues and take public transit. SMMUSD and Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) participate in the regional GoPass program, which provides free transit rides to all K-12 students. This includes rides on Big Blue Bus and LA Metro trains and buses. With a registered GoPass, students at participating schools can ride Big Blue Bus and LA Metro to and from school or for any other purpose, including on weekends. Contact your school to obtain your pass and use the Transit app to plan your trip. Learn more about riding Big Blue Bus and LA Metro to school.

  3. Pedestrian improvements at schools. We’ve completed construction on the Pedestrian Improvements at the Six Schools project, consisting of the following schools: Edison Language Academy, Santa Monica Alternative Schoolhouse (SMASH), John Muir Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Grant Elementary and Franklin Elementary.


    4. After starting construction in August 2024, the city completed construction of important pedestrian safety improvements in May 2025, which include:

    • 19 curb extensions
    • 37 ADA curb ramp upgrades
    • 1 flashing beacon
    • 3 new trees
    • Updated roadway stripping and markings, including 50 refreshed crosswalks


    The project was funded by Transportation Impact Fees and other local funding sources. Moving forward, the city will continue to work with SMMUSD and school staff to monitor school access and make additional adjustments as needed. 

    Relatedly, thanks to the passage of Measure K on November 5, 2024, the city is excited to resume Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programming. This initiative promotes active modes of transportation to schools by equipping local school staff, parents, and students with education and tips on best practices. SRTS initiatives are also instrumental in identifying walking and biking infrastructure improvements near schools, similar to past efforts like the Four Schools Project and the Six Schools Project.

  4. School safety tips. Please check out these school safety tips from the Santa Monica Police Department, including information for drivers as they navigate the streets around our schools.

  5. Active transportation for healthy students and communities. Parents and students are strongly encouraged to carpool, walk, bike, or take transit. Parents can get involved in their community and support their children’s wellbeing by creating bike buses or walking school buses. City staff from the Department of Transportation will be present at the 9th Grade Registration Day event at Samohi on Aug. 12 to answer questions and provide information on how students can obtain a GoPass.

  6. Take the Friendly Road newsletter. Stay informed and empowered by signing up for Take the Friendly Road, the city’s transportation newsletter featuring updates on capital improvement projects, opportunities to share feedback, and tools for safe travel in our community.

We know the first few weeks of school can be a whirlwind as families settle into new routines. Thank you for your patience with any construction-related detours as we continue making improvements across the city.

Please plan ahead, stay safe, and remember to show one another a little extra grace – we’re all in this together!

Authored By

Edgar Mejia
Transportation Planning Assistant

Categories

Getting Around, Programs, Transportation Planning, Ways to Get Around, Youth And Seniors