Webster Elementary School

3602 Winter Canyon Road

School District

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 09, 2023

Under new principal Ted this school is an absolute gem. Our son just completed kindergarten and teachers, support staff, facilities and the principal were all top notch. Our son made excellent academic progress and looks forward to going to school each day. We could not be happier with the experience. A great PTA that provides additional resources to the school. The partnership with the boys and girls club also provides enrichment and after school care. Overall, very impressed.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2022

We moved from private to Webster when my son was in 3rd grade. We have nothing but good things to say about Webster. It’s a natural environment, there is a lot of thought and investment in all areas of children’s lives and academic growth. The teachers are excellent
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2021

This place s amazing. I loved it so much.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2021

Webster would be our home school for both of our kids. We tried Webster and were disappointed. It was ok under the prior principal, but is not as good under the current one. While the school is finally back to in person full time classes, we were able to have in person classes all year across the street at Our Lady of Malibu. Webster claimed to “meet students where they are” academically, but it was a ton of work to try to actually get work at our kid’s level. We only partially succeeded, despite many meetings and an outside consultant. We moved to Malibu in part because of the good reputation of the schools. We are disappointed to have to go to private school to get academics that are tailored to the student and to get an emphasis on character.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2021

If your child is squat in the middle academically and you feel great about that, Webster is the place for you. If you are concerned about academics, then shop elsewhere. The Webster teachers are usually good. The support staff are absolute gems. Over the past few years Webster has focused increasingly on teaching non-academic topics to children, and this has led to basic education being placed on the back burner. This year the 3rd graders were instructed in class to choose their gender pronouns without the parents ever being consulted- one of many times when the school has used academic instruction time to teach divisive non-academic topics. To compensate for lost instruction time, Webster relies heavily on "educational" computer games like Lexia and Prodigy both during and after school. If your child is above or below grade level, the school will not change a thing on the lesson plan. My child's teacher got angry when my child refused to watch remedial Khan Academia videos. Another child who is about to enter third grade still cannot read, and the school is finally evaluating the child for a learning disability even though the mother started asking for such an evaluation in kindergarten. Computers can't detect learning disabilities. Educators can and should- yet this requires them to focus on academic instruction. Education is officially a second priority at Webster, as the school has decided that childhood literacy is less important than their own personal soapboxes.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2019

Great school! Has a very unique vibe! Parents are very involved! It is like one big family!
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2018

I can not recommend Webster enough. It's a wonderful elementary school with caring and involved parents and school staff.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2018

A great school. But don't even bother sending your kid unless you speak English. A few Spanish speaking kids have left soon after joining,
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2018

Webster went downhill after getting a new principal in September 2017. Bullying is tolerated and rewarded. Very sad for all children.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2016

Webster Elementary was a fabulous school for both my children. The education was incredible, every one of their teachers were engaging & connected with the children & truly brought out the best in each child. It was like an old fashioned, warm, nurturing yet highly academic environment where our kids loved going to school & loved learning. It exceeded my expectations of what elementary school would be like. Especially in such an affluent area, I didn't except such a down to earth atmosphere, we were at Webster 9 years in total & could not have been happier.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2015

K-4th so far, and we’ve found that each teacher has been fabulous and engage the children in their own special way. Everyone works together to make this school great. Love the campus, especially the huge play yard. Our children are fortunate indeed!
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2014

It is a gift to have Webster as our public school. The campus is spacious & gorgeous. The teachers, staff, and very involved parents are all fabulous. From K-3 we have had nothing but the best experience- even through a principal change of the beloved Phil Cott to the lovely Dr. Susan Samarge-Powell.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2013

Webster Elementary School is a school that students skip into and cheerily skip out to greet their parents. Individual attention is provided to each student for whatever learning and developmental stage is naturally appropriate. Art, music, physical activity, leadership are offered by experienced and professional teachers. School spirit is evident from K-5th. Webster students shine because of amazing parent and grandparent volunteers. Students thrive in reading rich environments from access to a modern library and teachers, like Stacy Harris, that focus upon engaging the student to find the joy in reading hardback and electronic books. Webster Whales arrive and leave school happy!