McKinley Elementary School

2401 Santa Monica Boulevard

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 other on February 25, 2025

I am dismayed to see that a school with a longstanding reputation for its provision of high quality educational services to its students is currently not providing a safe and nurturing environment in which the children can learn. Repeated incidents of disruptive behavior with ineffective and and, in some cases, seeming nonchalant administration response to address situations is concerning. Troublesome actions of screaming and throwing furniture by some of the students has created an uncomfortable and fearful environment making it difficult for students to show up for school each day with positive attitudes and eagerness to learn without the mental distraction of the uncontrolled and undisciplined negative actions of others. In spite of these circumstances, the teachers appear to be continuing to work hard and teach the students in this difficult environment, and I am hoping that they can get the appropriate support they need to navigate these conditions and deliver their best teaching for the students.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2025

As much as I loved McKinley for many years, I could not wait for my child to finish in June. It is still very hard for me to think about the final months there. Once a new principal came in January of 2024 there was a huge change, and not for the better. Racial and homophobic slurs became a regular part of our child's school experience. The negative behaviors and harmful language were not addressed. The lack of support and action for my child, our family, and others like him was truly heartbreaking. It still is. Because he had been with his friends for so many years, we decided to stick it out. We can only hope that was the right choice.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2025

I am writing as a longtime member of the McKinley Elementary community, having watched several of my children grow and thrive here. This school has always been a place of excellence, tradition, and strong values that now feel increasingly at risk.During a recent visit for a school performance, I was deeply troubled by the behavior of students, which went unaddressed. Even more concerning was the apathy displayed by the Principal, who showed little leadership in maintaining the standards that once defined McKinley Elementary. It was a stark contrast to the school I once knew - a place where accountability, respect, and excellence were upheld.Leadership sets the tone, and I fear the current direction is eroding the school’s foundation. A place that once felt like a family now feels fractured. I share these thoughts not out of bitterness, but out of love for this institution and its future. I urge you to listen to the many voices that share this concern and work toward a path that honors both progress and the values that made McKinley Elementary great.Please take my words to heart. Thank you.Sincerely,A Concerned Parent
Submitted by other on February 20, 2025

McKinley Elementary has long prided itself on providing a high-quality education, but lately, it has fallen short of its own standards. Concerns have grown among parents and staff about declining academic performance, inadequate resources, and a lack of strong leadership. Many students are not receiving the support they need to thrive, and the once-vibrant school community is feeling the strain.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2025

Our family has loved McKinley since kindergarten, but now we are unsure if our child will attend through 5th grade. The change in the last year has been sad and drastic for our child and other students. Our child once loved going to school, but is now afraid because of all of the bullying and disruptive behavior. With the previous principal, our child did not have these worries, but now our child regularly shares that it is not uncommon to hear another student called terrible things, and nothing happens. Our child deserves better. All children deserve better.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2025

My child was unhappy everyday they were in attendance. It was an unsafe environment that caused trauma for not only my child, but for me as well. The change in leadership negatively impacted the progress that was made by the previous principal.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2025

McKinley is proud of its diversity and Title 1 status. We enroll the majority of the district's special education population. Our school is also the catchment zone for most of Santa Monica's deed restricted affordable housing. And yet also, we enroll families who can afford million dollar condos and people who seem to be independently wealthy and don't have to work. Go figure. Where else can our students who are from disadvantaged backgrounds or households where the parents did not even finish high school sit in the same classrooms as the offspring of UCLA professors, a butcher, city staff, doctors, lawyers, economists, computer programmers, bankers, hotel executives, housekeepers and bellmen, office assistants, nurses, scientists, artists, landscapers, teachers, a tennis coach, and small business owners? Having grown up as the daughter of low-income immigrants, being able to have my children at a school where they experience this form of socioeconomic and racial diversity is truly distinctive. I wish I had been at a school where I got exposed to this medley of occupations, and I'm grateful I can do this for my child by being at this school. We are incredibly fortunate to also be part of SMMUSD, which has the resources necessary to educate our children. An area of improvement is shoring up academic outcomes for our vulnerable students.
Submitted by other on May 28, 2024

It gave me emotional trauma and there have been multiple vandalism incidents.
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2019

McKinley is a great school. Excellent leadership, great teachers, and fun community events.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2018

Our child is in kindergarten at McKinley and we’ve been impressed with the school from day 1. Great community of involved parents, and wonderful, engaging teachers who are invested in the kids’ development. The school diversity adds so much value that it’s a shame it would also bring down the Great Schools rating. The number of low income and ESL families brings more challenges than other more affluent schools face. McKinley works hard to create an inclusive environment where all children thrive, although those with extra support at home always have a leg up.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2018

McKinley is an amazing school. I am not sure I understand the new score but it is for sure unfair. The school has a core of extremely committed administrators, teachers, and staff who work very hard to create an inclusive and welcoming environment. The new Principal Dr Benjamin, is working with both teachers and parents to adress issues that arose last year due to the former negligent Principal Dr Yakitch. Teachers work really hard to help all students succeed. The school offers music, arts, theatre, and science classes. There is significant emphasis on character building through periodic assemblies that reinforce positive values and attitudes. The school has a zero tolerance for bullying and students feel safe and contained. My daughter is already in her third year attending McKinley and she is a happy, well rounded, strong girl who can’t wait to go to school on Mondays. Finally, a word about the parents and PTA leadership. There is a new leadership and they are amazing. They listen to suggestions and welcome everybody’s participation. The number of parents who are involved in the school leadership is not as large as in other SM schools but they work really hard and are very committed to the school. Thanks so mich McKinley!
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2018

A hidden gem in Santa Monica. Great new principal, beautiful campus, diverse students, dedicated teachers.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2018

Incredible. Welcoming, supportive school committed to equity.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2018

This is an excellent school committed to inclusion of all community members, those who are brown, white and have different abilities.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2018

We love our school! It's a wonderful community full of diverse students and families. Events at the school are fun and enriching and create a welcoming environment for all parents. Teachers have been outstanding and I feel my child is nurtured, challenged and well prepared for the future.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2018

Excellent school for engaged students.If parents make sure their children get to school on time every day, and do all their homework (which there is a lot of - even at K level), then they will excel academically. Our daughter is in kindergarten and can read almost anything by herself. Other schools with less diversity may do score better on a great schools rating, but that is nonsense. For the children of engaged parents, McKinley offers perhaps a better education that other, higher ranked schools. The great schools rating is shockingly worthless with regards to the children of actively involved parents.
Submitted by other on October 17, 2017

Shocked at this unfair rating! I am the parent of two children that are currently at this school and I can truly say that we love it here! The teachers are helpful and committed to having each child achieve his/her goals. In addition and supporting classroom instruction, all students receive science, art and music instruction once a week. PE everyday and theater has been added already well educational experience. You are always informed of everything that is happening in the school and in your child classroom. You can easily e-mail the teacher if you have any questions or concerns and you will receive a quick response. The kids enjoy all the events that happen throughout the year at the school and I am glad that my children are very happy and doing really well. The PTA works very hard on the school's behalf. We have a new Principal this year, she was assistant principal at a very well regarded school here in Santa Monica. She is very visible and has exciting ideas to support McKinley.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2017

This is an awesome school. 10/10 if you are an engaged parent. Greatschools.com has really screwed up with their new overall score as it unfairly rates it lower than it should be. We debated this school or (sucking it up to pay a higher mortgage) Franklin. It was helpful to see the breakdown of test scores by ethnicity and low-income as we could see that the child of professional parents will do very well at this school. So are low-income families not supported here? No. There are so many opportunities for all families to be involved and engaged so the difference in test scores are not a school failing. In fact, the school’s Title 1 status allows for grant money for a lot of additional programs other schools don’t get - PS Art and Science programs, a school psychologist on staff, free snacks for kids in aftercare are a few perks. And there are lots of opportunities like Literacy nights and Math Nights (the latter held by our wonderful teacher) that are available as long as parents take the time. No school can make up for parents who don’t prioritize their kids education and instill in them a love of learning. But if you do these things at home, your child can get a 10/10 education at this school. And they’ll benefit by diversity more representative of the real world than in more homogeneous schools. In fact, I also really like that my son has made several international friends here.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2017

I have had a great experience at McKinley Elementary. The administration and staff are very welcoming, helpful and supportive. I really like how the school communicates through different mediums (flyers, emails, school website) to parents on the great school activities that will be happening. I feel that my child is receiving the best education at this school and also be part of the wonderful school activities like the "School Garden" and "Green Team." There is a great relationship between administration and parents at this school. Parents are very involved which also makes me feel comfortable to be part of this community.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2017

Schoo's (tiny) library room reeks like mildew , mold was found and taken care of at the school office but somehow the library, where every student spend a good amount of time still smells awful. School principle and the rest of the administration are careless about this and other serious issues. Students well-being is not part of their agenda. The kids at Mckinley get away with constant bulling , verbal and physical of other students , parents that donate to the school are high on the principle priority and the kids are treated differently. The school psychologist left after a small child fell off the school fence hitting her shoulder and causing her a nerve damage, what was the child doing on top of the fence during school hours its a good question Dr. Susan Yakish and her staff needs to ask them selfs.