As a parent, you want the best for your children. A safe neighborhood. A friendly community. Top-notch medical care. But what about their education?
Some parents will move to a particular district because of their excellent schools. But what if you are drawn to a town because of other attributes?
For instance, what do you think when people mention Malibu? Surf? Sand? Celebrities? Perhaps, but I bet you were unaware Malibu is home to some well-performing schools?
Don’t believe me? Well, read along as we discover the best Malibu schools this seashore city has to offer.
Public Malibu Schools
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is home to 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high public schools. Each school gives your child the education and experience for success in the years ahead.
However, Point Dume Elementary and Juan Cabrillo Elementary will merge into Malibu Elementary School. More information is available on the SMMUSD website.
John L. Webster Elementary School
John L. Webster Elementary School is home to grades K-5. The school sits on lush land with the appearance of a neighborhood park.
Students not only receive an excellent education, but they also have a variety of activities to partake in. Their Visual & Performing Arts program includes instruction in visual art and theatre for students K-5.
3rd graders learn General Music once-a-week for 40 minutes. 4th and 5th graders select from “the choir, string instruments, or wind instruments and are taught twice-a-week during the school day,” according to the SMMUSD website.
Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School
Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School gives students in K-5 a challenging curriculum and a variety of after-school extras.
Your child can choose from the following to keep them busy:
- Gymnastics
- Mind Your Manners
- Imagine Art with Ivo
- Engineering with LEGOS
- Awesome School Project Reports Using Microsoft Office
Juan Cabrillo Elementary School
Juan Cabrillo Elementary School wants its students to ease into the academic environment. This is why they have “Bridges, the new Transitional Kindergarten program…is part of SMMUSD’s Early Learning Pathway.”
The school’s before and after school program also makes Juan Cabrillo Elementary a top contender for your child’s scholastic needs.
Malibu Middle School
Malibu Middle School is the hub for teaching inbetweeners to prepare them for high school. It’s nestled on the same property as the Malibu High School but allows your ‘tween to prosper among their age group.
The school offers a “progressive” curriculum which includes the opportunity for select students to take Honors Mathematics.
The learning continues through the summer with a required reading list. Students choose two novels to read from the list and prepare to write an essay for one and answer questions about the other.
Malibu High School
Malibu High School is home to the Sharks. Students show their school pride by wearing black and teal. The courses range from college preparatory, honors and AP.
Extracurricular activities such as Choral Music, Instrumental Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts allow students to diversify their high school careers and balance out school work with a social life.
If your son or daughter prefers athletics, MHS offers football, tennis, volleyball, track & field, softball, lacrosse, and golf. However, for a comprehensive list of available sports, please visit the Malibu High School website.
Olympic High School
Olympic High School offers an alternative learning environment for students who need smaller sized classes and extra attention. Each of the students has an Individualized educational program “with a strong emphasis on a standards-based curriculum, intensive guidance/counseling, and project-based learning.”
Private Schools
Sometimes what you seek is not offered by the public school system. Malibu California Schools have privately run options for your child’s needs.
Some of the best include Our Lady of Malibu, The Sycamore School, and McKinna Learning Center.
Our Lady of Malibu
Our Lady of Malibu is a Catholic school which provides a challenging curriculum including three foreign languages, robotics, and technology. They encourage their students to excel.
Students scores on the Iowa Basic Skills testing is well above the national average. Our Lady of Malibu wants its students to take part in the many activities and sports offered.
The school sports teams include:
Boys Basketball, Cheerleading, Track, and Volleyball
Girls, Basketball, Equestrian, Gymnastics, Surfing
Tuition for the 2018-2019 school year is $12,950. If you want your children to enjoy smaller classes and structured learning, then Our Lady of Malibu is a good choice.
The Sycamore School
The Sycamore School’s mission is “to help children develop into self-directed learners and autonomous problem solvers & to facilitate each child’s quest to create meaning in a complex and evolving world.”
They serve children in grades K-5. The curriculum includes Communication Literacy, Patterns & Modeling (Mathematics), Themes & Projects, and Play.
The structure of the school day allows children not only to learn but enjoy a hands-on, relaxed day.
Tuition for 2019-2020 will be $21,000, and children must get vaccinated before admission. They do not accept exemptions.
McKinna Learning Center
The McKinna Learning Center teaches children in grades 2-12. Their specialized academics include “one-to-one educational therapy, subject-based tutoring, after-school Homework Club, and complete academic assessments.”
If your child requires something more unique, the McKinna Learning Center is willing to create a homeschool experience.
Home School Options
An estimated 2 million children in the United States are homeschooled between 2012 and 2016. That number is expected to increase.
Some of the benefits of homeschooling are smaller student-teacher ratio, academic flexibility, no bullying, and fewer distractions from peers.
Students can work through the material at their pace but can graduate earlier. This is, in turn, makes them available to enter the workforce sooner and apply to college.
But what about homeschooled high schoolers who want to earn dual credit for college? Many dual credit programs are already used in public high schools across the US. There is no reason a homeschool student should miss out on this opportunity.
If you have or know a student who would benefit from an online dual credit program, please learn more here by visiting the ed4credit website.
Be The Best
When all is said and done, Malibu Schools provide an exceptional education. The scenic landscapes and affluent community are perks to the learning environment.
But what’s clear is to be the best student a child must thrive in the best classrooms.
If you enjoyed this article, please visit the Malibu Times website doe more lifestyle advice.
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