John Muir Elementary School

2526 6th Street

School District

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
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 December 24, 2019

After touring two private schools, one charter school, and two public schools, we chose John Muir, our neighborhood school. There are only two classes per grade so the school feels like a village, not a small city. The small size also means that the entire teaching team coordinates closely. We have a very intellectually curious child who loves learning. She is doing great here, and has loved all her teachers so far. Like all the SM schools, the curriculum uses CGI math and Readers and Writers Workshop. Muir students also have P.S. Science, P.S. Arts, and music almost EVERY week, which is awesome. (Recently our daughter brought home art inspired by the sculptor Giacometti.) Homework is not excessive-- it seems to vary by teacher but in 2nd grade it is to do at least 20 minutes of reading every weeknight, and on Fridays turn in a list of the titles of the books you've read. Kindergarten was homework optional in my daughter's class. After school, our daughter takes Musical Theater and Chess, which are two of the CREST classes offered to Muir and SMASH students. We also love how global the school is – in addition to English, Muir has students who speak Swedish, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Arabic, Hebrew, Bulgarian, Portuguese, Amharic, Finnish, and Czech! Last but not least, walking to school (and to play-dates in the neighborhood) is a huge bonus in terms of quality of life for our whole family.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2019

10/10 We feel very lucky to have found this school. Our son loves it!!
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2018

Most of the kids do not even live in the area. Lots of kids that were somehow bussed in or have problems and need special help. Why did I spend 2 million on a house to live here and the local school is so mediocre.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2017

My son is in first grade. His kindergarten year was amazing. Such a loving teacher. This year has been awesome. He loves his school. And he's reading!! It happened so fast. I feel so lucky to be in this school district. We've made so many new friends from this school. If you're looking for a school that has staff and teachers who truly care about your child's education and wonderful families who participate in PTA events, then you should consider John Muir. I'm glad that I took the time to understand how scores are factored. If not, my son would have missed out on attending a wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2017

Our daughter has been at John Muir since Kinder and is about to enter 3rd grade in the Fall 2017. We have been very happy at the school and feel that she is part of a beautiful, nurturing community with a quaint campus that is fostered by parent involvement. John Muir is a neighborhood gem made of students, teachers, faculty, parents, caregivers who truly care about the education and well being of its community. Proud to be a John Muir parent.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2016

My son is in the special needs class with Skye Davis. She has done an amazing job with that class and provided my son with the direction and care he needs.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2016

I've had two sons go through John Muir since kindergarten (my youngest is about to graduate) and we couldn't love the school more. The teachers are incredible (Mr. Brizuela, Ms. Griffin, Ms. Sheinbaum to name a few), the art program is sensational (thank you Ms. Yamashiro!), and the music program couldn't be better (both children are continuing with trumpet in middle school at JAMS). I also want to give a special shout out to Ms. Kunkel who is a wonderful speech therapist. If you are lucky enough to live in this neighborhood, do yourself a favor and send your child to this school.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2015

John Muir is a neighborhood gem! While we could have afforded a private school, we fell in love with this school from the start. This is my son's third year and each year continues to surprise us with stellar educators, supportive staff, diversity, and enriching experiences through PS Arts, music, science, and reading programs. The principal has a gift in selecting truly wonderful teachers. There is a wonderful community feel to this school-the smaller campus means parents and students actually get to know one another and parents seem to enjoy lingering after drop-offs to catch up. The campus itself is also gorgeous-with edible gardens, a large beautiful field, tiled artwork, and open spaces. My child is a highly motivated and successful student-do not let only scores guide your decision in choosing a school for your child.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2015

My daughter has gone to school here since kindergarten and is now is 2nd grade. I fortunately went here as a child as well and had such a great time I knew there was no question I wanted to enroll her here. What I think is so great about the school is that it's small and the children get a great amount of attention. The area of Santa monica the school is in is now very wealthy due to the tech boom but still has a good mixture middle class families and ethnic diversities which I love. Fundraising goes to provide science , art and music for children of all grades which I love because my child is well rounded. I've always felt the teachers were very involved with their children and my daughter has always loved each one of her teachers very much. They are great with communicating issues that are happening in the school, community and classroom daily. All in all if you are new to the area or looking for a great school , John Muir is a great school to keep your child in the mix with various types of children from all backgrounds and they will learn subjects such as art and science that most public schools don't have for children under fourth grade.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2015

My daughter is in 4th grade at John Muir and my son will begin Kindergarten in the fall. We have been so happy with each of her five teachers so far. As a group they are intelligent, creative, and approachable. I have found the principal to be approachable too, open to ideas, and diplomatic. I love the small size of the school (two classrooms per grade), the emphasis on the arts, and the abundance of cultural events. Our grade has some amazing parents that lead after school enrichment clubs/classes. If more parents would bring their time, energy, and/or enthusiasm to the school, it would be even better.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2015

This is our 3rd year at John Muir and every teacher we've had so far has been amazing. Very positive, patient and encouraging. Pr Komlos has a gift in finding great teachers. My daughter is making huge yearly leaps academically and she is happy to go to school each day. We love how small the school is, how diverse it is and above all how we know families from all grades. It's a little gem.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2015

My son is in Kindergarten at John Muir and this first year of our has been amazing. He loves his teacher, Ms.Hodges, and so do we. She truly reaches all children in the class. She makes learning fun and I can t believe how much our son has grown and learn this first year in school. We are a family from Sweden and have been in Santa Monica for 2,5 years and have now decided to stay another 2 years - and the wonderful school experience made the choice to stay som much easier. We love that it s a small school. A warm and welcoming community.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2015

My children have been with John Muir since 1st grade. The teachers are just wonderful. There is a great community feel and it is very diverse. The main thing is my children go to school with smiles on their faces! I'm very happy we picked Muir!
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2015

This is our 3rd year at John Muir and every teacher we've had so far has been amazing. Very positive, patient and encouraging. Pr Komlos has a gift in finding great teachers. My daughter is making huge yearly leaps academically and she is happy to go to school each day. We love how small the school is, how diverse it is and above all how we know families from all grades. It's a little gem.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2014

We absolutely love John Muir! It is a small school with a lovely campus and GREAT teachers. There is definitely a good amount of parent involvement. Most importantly, my kids are enjoying learning and making good friendships along the way. So happy to be part of this quaint neighborhood school.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2014

This school has a problem. There is one teacher who terrorizes students on a daily basis. You can hear this teacher scream at the students for basic things like talking out of turn or forgetting a pencil. This teacher will drone on about subjects completely unrelated to schoolwork. The actual work assigned is boring and tedious. Incoming parents should take note: 1. This school has one of the lowest test scores in SMMUSD and more troublesome declining test scores. 2. Principal needs to be replaced. She has no rapport with teachers or staff so is basically useless. She does not stand up to this teacher or enforce the zero bullying policy among students. 3. Most of the teachers are ok but there are a few bad apples like this one who intimidates children and a few others who are indifferent. For these reasons, many good families have left for nearby schools in recent years. One positive note: there is a WONDERFUL teacher there who does not get enough credit. This teacher teaches respect to our children, teaches outside of the box and most importantly inspires and gets kids excited to learn. For elementary school this is the type of teacher I wanted for my child.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2014

My child is in Mr. Wheeler's class. He is an amazing teacher and an amazing role model for all of these children! I also love the community! The parents are very supportive and kind. Although our test scores may be lower than some schools, my child scored Advanced in Math and ELA last year. I think it shows how diverse our school is, and I think that there is much more to learn from diversity than the school's overall test scores.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2014

John Muir is mediocre at best. In my opinion, the most unorganized school in Santa Monica. The school boasts about "community", but fails to enrich the children in basic fundamentals. The teachers are nice, but with the student to teacher ratio so high, have a difficult time actually teaching (which I thought is what they are there to do). There is a small group of parents there that really try to better the school but unfortunately their efforts are done in vain. The school really has great potential, but it needs a lot of help. To make it a great school, more parent participation is needed along with stronger leadership.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2013

I got my child out of this school just in time. Going from scoring basic on standardized testing to almost advanced in both areas. This school def. needs an overhaul. They need to start with the principal who does nothing to help the parents or kids. Most teachers are nice but several are not teaching the standards. It's really sad. Don't cheat your child. Go elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2013

My son was being cheated out of a great education when attending John Muir. He was also bullied with no help from the principal. He went from scoring basic on the standard tests to scoring advanced. Thank you to my current school. I'm not even sure they have any neighborhood kids attending John Muir because of its poor reputation.