Located in the scenic, sea-side communities of Santa Monica and Malibu, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is a preK-12 school district serving approximately 9.666 students. SMMUSD is a diverse community dedicated to extraordinary achievement for all while simultaneously closing the achievement gap, and committed to pursuing excellence through equity. Current priorities include social justice standards, restorative justice, project-based learning, innovative teaching and a high level of student engagement. Our schools are supported by involved parents and communities. The District has nine elementary schools, three middle schools, one alternative school (K-8), two high schools, one continuation high school, child development services and adult education programs. The first classroom opened with 52 students in March 1876. U.S. News and World Report has named both Santa Monica High School and Malibu High School as Top High Schools in the nation and state, awarding a silver medal to Samohi with the ranking of 606 in the nation and 105 in the state and a gold medal to Malibu High School for rankings of 279 and 45, respectively in 2017. Three schools have been re...cognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools: Edison Language Academy, Will Rogers Learning Community and Lincoln Middle School. Lincoln Middle School has earned the Gold School designation in 2015 and is one of nine schools recognized as a California Distinguished School. The others are: Franklin, McKinley, Roosevelt, Will Rogers, Webster and Point Dume elementary schools and Malibu and Santa Monica high schools. The SMMUSD Mission Statement, Extraordinary achievement for all students while simultaneously closing the achievement gap, guides the work of the Excellence through Equity plan that includes the following three priorities: All graduates are ready for college and careers; English learners will become proficient in English while engaging in a rigorous, standards-aligned curriculum and all students engage in schools that are safe, well-maintained and family-friendly. Students attending Santa Monica High School and Malibu High School have a graduation rate of about 95%, with the majority of students moving forward with post-secondary education options.