Santa Monica High School - A Closer Look
When you think about places that really shape a community, a school often comes to mind, and that is absolutely true for Santa Monica High School. It’s a place with a long story, actually going back to eighteen ninety-one, and it has been a really important part of Santa Monica life for a very, very long time. You know, it’s not just a building where lessons happen; it’s more like a central gathering spot for a lot of people, a spot where young people spend some really important years growing and learning.
So, you might wonder what makes this school, often called Samohi by folks who know it well, stand out. Well, it’s a public school, situated right there in Santa Monica, California, and it serves students from ninth grade all the way through twelfth. It’s pretty big, too, with quite a few students, about two thousand five hundred seventy-three, to be precise, and it is, in fact, one of the larger public high schools in California, and even nationally, which is kind of interesting when you think about it.
There's a lot to talk about when it comes to Samohi, from its academic offerings to the many ways students can get involved outside of their classes. It’s a place that seems to really focus on giving its students a pretty special time during their four years there, making sure there are plenty of ways for everyone to feel like they belong and can find something that truly sparks their interest, you know, whether that’s in a classroom, on a field, or maybe in a club. It is a really vibrant community, in some respects.
- Chamberlain College Of Nursing
- World Food Trucks
- Duomo Milan
- Orlando Sanford International Airport
- Louis Dreyfus Company
Table of Contents
- What Makes Santa Monica High School Stand Out?
- The Long Story of Santa Monica High School
- How Does Santa Monica High School Support Its Students?
- A Place for Every Learner at Santa Monica High School
- What About Life Beyond the Classroom at Santa Monica High School?
- The Spirit of Santa Monica High School Athletics
- Who Helps Lead Santa Monica High School?
- Connecting with Santa Monica High School
What Makes Santa Monica High School Stand Out?
Well, when you look at what sets Santa Monica High School apart, you might consider a few things that truly give it a distinct feel. For one, it has a history that stretches back a really long way, to eighteen ninety-one, which means generations of families have probably walked through its doors. This long history, you know, gives the place a kind of enduring quality, a sense of being firmly rooted in the area, and that is actually quite special for a public school.
Beyond its age, the school gets some good marks from financial rating groups, like Moody’s and S&P, which, in a way, speaks to how well things are managed. It is something that can bring a sense of confidence to the community, knowing that the school district is handling its money in a way that is, well, pretty responsible. This kind of financial health can mean good things for the school and its ability to keep offering good programs for students, which is pretty important, actually.
And speaking of good things, there’s also the fact that the school district, SMMUSD, has managed to create some significant savings for local taxpayers, something around twenty-two million dollars, which is a very considerable amount of money. This means that the community’s financial resources are being used thoughtfully, which, you know, can free up funds for other important local needs or just generally lighten the load for families, which is a nice thing to hear, basically.
The Long Story of Santa Monica High School
To really get a feel for Santa Monica High School, it helps to look back at its beginnings. It was established in eighteen ninety-one, which means it has seen a lot of changes in Santa Monica over the years. This long past means that the school is more than just a place of learning; it’s a piece of the city’s story, a constant presence that has seen countless students come and go, each adding their own bit to its ongoing tale. It’s almost like a living archive of the community’s growth, in some respects.
Over all these years, Santa Monica High School has truly become a central part of Santa Monica itself. It’s a spot where traditions are made, where memories are formed, and where young people get ready for whatever comes next in their lives. The school’s history isn’t just about dates and events; it’s about the lives it has touched and the role it has played in shaping the character of the area, which is pretty cool, if you think about it.
You can even find out about the school’s musical side, too, which has a long history, as well as its academic journey over the decades. Learning about these parts of Santa Monica High School gives you a better idea of how it has grown and adapted, always aiming to provide a solid place for students to learn and develop their talents. It’s a story of continued effort and commitment, truly.
How Does Santa Monica High School Support Its Students?
So, you might be wondering how Santa Monica High School really helps its students grow and learn. Well, it’s clear that they put a lot of thought into the kinds of classes and programs they offer. For example, they have what are called AP courses, which are like college-level classes that high school students can take, and that is a pretty big deal for students looking to challenge themselves and get a head start, you know, on their future studies.
Beyond that, the school also has something called the Project Lead the Way curriculum, which is a bit different. This program often focuses on hands-on learning, especially in areas like science, technology, engineering, and math. It’s a way for students to get practical experience and really dig into subjects that are becoming more and more important in the world today, which is very helpful for their future paths, honestly.
And for those students who might need a bit more, or perhaps a different kind of challenge, there’s also a gifted and talented program. This means that Santa Monica High School tries to make sure that every student, no matter their learning style or speed, can find something that fits them well and helps them reach their full potential. It’s about creating a place where everyone can thrive, which is, you know, a pretty good goal for any school.
A Place for Every Learner at Santa Monica High School
It seems that Santa Monica High School truly aims to offer a wide range of learning experiences for all its students. They have what they describe as a very strong and varied set of classes, which means there’s a good chance students can find subjects that really interest them and help them discover what they’re good at. This variety is pretty important, because not everyone learns the same way or wants to study the same things, obviously.
The school also has a lot of different clubs and activities, which is a great way for students to get involved outside of their regular classes. These groups offer chances to meet new people, explore hobbies, and even learn new skills that might not be part of the everyday curriculum. It’s about building a sense of belonging, you know, and finding your place within the larger school community, which they call the "viking family."
And when it comes to how many students are there, Santa Monica High School has quite a few, about two thousand five hundred seventy-three students spread across grades nine through twelve. This means it’s a fairly sizable school, actually, and it has a student-to-teacher ratio of about nineteen students for every one teacher, which gives you a sense of the class sizes and how much individual attention students might receive, more or less.
What About Life Beyond the Classroom at Santa Monica High School?
Beyond the books and lessons, what does life look like for students at Santa Monica High School? Well, there’s a lot going on outside of class, especially when it comes to sports and other group activities. The school puts a lot of thought into making sure these activities are a positive part of student life, which is really important for a well-rounded experience, you know.
For anyone involved in school sports, whether they are a student playing on a team, a coach, a parent, or even a staff member, there’s a clear set of rules that everyone is expected to follow. This code is in place to make sure that all the sports activities are, in a way, in step with the main goals of Santa Monica High School. It’s about making sure that playing sports also helps students grow in other important ways, not just on the field, which is a good thing.
The school really emphasizes that academic success is the most important thing for its sports teams. So, while winning games is nice, it’s even more important that student athletes are doing well in their classes. This focus means that sports are seen as a way to help students develop not just their physical abilities, but also their minds, their social skills, and their sense of what’s right, which is a pretty broad and thoughtful approach, actually.
The Spirit of Santa Monica High School Athletics
The athletics at Santa Monica High School are a big part of the school’s overall spirit, and it’s pretty clear that they are about more than just games. The school has a strong belief that participating in sports should help students grow in many different ways. This means that every practice, every game, and every team meeting is, in a way, meant to help students become better thinkers, stronger individuals, and more responsible members of their community, which is a very holistic view.
They truly make it a point that doing well in school comes first for all athletes. This helps to make sure that students are balancing their time effectively and that their education remains their top concern. It’s a way of saying that being a good athlete also means being a good student, and that both parts of their lives are important for their overall development, which is quite sensible, really.
And you know, there’s even a school song that captures some of this spirit, especially for the "mighty Samohi." It speaks to a deep sense of loyalty and belief in the school, saying things like, "our faith in thee ne'er will fail, for the love that we give is thy power to live, to thee, all hail." This kind of sentiment shows a real connection that students and the community feel towards Santa Monica High School, and it is pretty moving, actually.
Who Helps Lead Santa Monica High School?
It’s often helpful to know a little about the people who help guide a school, and at Santa Monica High School, there are a few key individuals mentioned. For instance, Jane Han was named as a new house principal for Samohi, which is a pretty important role in helping to manage and support students and staff within a specific part of the school. This kind of leadership is very important for the day-to-day running of things, obviously.
There’s also a mention of Dr. Antonio Shelton, along with a message from the Board of Education to a specific graduating class, the Class of 2025. This suggests that there are leaders at various levels who are involved in the school’s direction and who also connect with the students as they move through their time there. It’s a way of showing that the leadership team is engaged with the student body and their journey, which is quite reassuring, you know.
Knowing who is in these leadership roles gives you a sense of the people who are making decisions and setting the tone for the school’s environment. It’s about having dedicated individuals who are committed to the school’s overall goals and who work to make sure that the experience for students is a good one. This kind of consistent guidance is, in fact, pretty essential for any educational setting, basically.
Connecting with Santa Monica High School
If you’re looking to get in touch with Santa Monica High School, or just need some basic information, it’s pretty straightforward to find what you need. The school’s address is 601 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, California, and the zip code is 90405. This makes it easy to locate if you’re visiting or sending mail, obviously.
While a full phone number wasn't provided in the text, there is a code, 053320, mentioned specifically for things like SAT, ACT, and other testing purposes. This suggests that there are specific contact points for different kinds of inquiries, which can be pretty helpful for parents and students trying to get specific information, you know, about academic assessments.
The school also offers multilingual instruction, which is a really important detail for a diverse community like Santa Monica. This means that they are working to make sure that students and families who speak different languages can still get the support and information they need to be successful. It’s about being inclusive and making sure everyone feels welcome and understood, which is a truly valuable aspect of any school, in some respects.

Santa Monica High School - Counsilman-Hunsaker

Santa Monica High School - Counsilman-Hunsaker

Santa Monica High Calendar - Adena Arabela