Santa Monica Schools Recognized as Top in California and Nation

July 11, 2017 5:44 PM
by Joseph Vandenorth

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2017 edition of Seascape

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District schools have once again received multiple awards in annual state and national rankings.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the top-performing high schools in the state and country in April, highlighting both Malibu and Santa Monica high schools out of 22,000 schools reviewed. Malibu High ranked #279 in the nation and #45 in California, while Samohi ranked #606 nationally and #105 in California. These standings highlight public schools that best serve all of their students, including disadvantaged populations.

“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, honored earlier this year as a National Blue Ribbon School, was named as a 2016 Star and STEM Honor Roll School by the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE). These awards recognize public schools that demonstrate consistently high levels of student academic achievement, improvement over time and reduction in achievement gaps. Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH) and Franklin Elementary School both earned Scholar Honor Roll school designations from ERP and CBEE in recognition of being high performing, without significant levels of low-income students.

“We are proud to be recognized in California and nationally by education and business organizations,” Dr. Drati said. “We are looking forward to a great start to the 2017-18 school year.”

Learn more at smmusd.org, and follow SMMUSD on Twitter and Facebook

Authored By

Joseph Vandenorth
Public Information Coordinator