Manhattan Beach Unified, CA

Original Research by School Decision on Manhattan Beach Unified

Manhattan Beach Unified is a small district serving kindergarten through high school in the south Los Angeles County coastal communities of Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. The district has experienced steady enrollment and serves a student body that is predominantly white and Asian, with growing Hispanic representation. The median home value in the area is substantially above state and national benchmarks, and rental costs are correspondingly high, placing this among the most expensive housing markets in the region.

The district's academic performance is a strength across the tested grades. In English language arts, proficiency runs consistently strong across middle grades, with particularly high results in grades four and five. Mathematics proficiency is solid through the elementary years and remains above the midpoint in middle grades, though results show a typical decline as students progress through grades six and eight. Science proficiency is lower, particularly in grade eight, where results show meaningful room for improvement. Overall, the district's proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile among Los Angeles County districts, and chronic absenteeism is also in the top quartile countywide.

The data available does not include a graduation rate, free-or-reduced-price-lunch participation, counts of students with disabilities or English learners, or information on program breadth, advanced coursework, or career pathways. The district maintains eight schools: five elementary buildings, a middle school, a high school, and a preschool program. The schools carry the names of community figures and geographic landmarks, reflecting the district's local roots.

A notable context for families is the district's per-pupil spending, which is in the lower half of the county range despite serving an affluent area. To address this funding gap, Manhattan Beach voters approved the renewal of Measure MB, a parcel tax, in March 2024 for an additional six years, providing stable local revenue designated for teacher recruitment and retention, smaller class sizes, and academic and STEM programs. More recently, voters also approved Measure EE, a bond measure to replace an aging gymnasium facility at Mira Costa High School, representing a long-term facilities investment that adds to local property tax obligations.

For families considering this district, the appeal centers on strong K-8 academic results in a small-district setting within an affluent, coastal community. The reliance on local parcel taxes to supplement state funding, while providing necessary program support, underscores the reality that per-pupil resources lag behind many comparable districts. Housing costs in the service area are among the highest in the region, a factor any prospective family will need to weigh carefully against school and community quality.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

5,925

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 14%

Black 1%

White 58%

Asian 13%

Two+ 14%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

63%

—

Gr 3

71%

80%

Gr 4

73%

91%

Gr 5

67%

91%

Gr 6

65%

81%

Gr 7

64%

86%

Gr 8

48%

82%

Gr 11

62%

—

Math

Gr ALL

49%

—

Gr 3

71%

83%

Gr 4

73%

90%

Gr 5

64%

87%

Gr 6

52%

75%

Gr 7

54%

76%

Gr 8

41%

74%

Gr 11

30%

—

Science

Gr ALL

35%

—

Gr 5

52%

81%

Gr 8

41%

68%

Gr 11

26%

—

Gr HS

35%

—

Gr UG_SEC

26%

—

Schools in this District

8 schools are officially reported under this district.

Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary

Grand View Elementary

Meadows Avenue Elementary

Pacific Elementary

Opal Robinson Elementary

Mira Costa High

Manhattan Beach Middle

Manhattan Beach Preschool

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

82%

Grade 3

89%

Grade 4

86%

Grade 5

74%

Grade 6

74%

Grade 7

72%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

80%

Grade 3

90%

Grade 4

90%

Grade 5

80%

Grade 6

84%

Grade 7

80%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

79%

Grade 5

66%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

89%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$3.26M

Year-over-year change+5.0%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$2.3M to $3.3M

vs. state typical4.20x

vs. national typical8.85x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
90266	Manhattan Beach	$3.3M	+5.0%	100.0%
90254	Hermosa Beach	$2.3M	+3.1%	0.0%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$5,610/mo

Year-over-year change-1.6%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$3,915 to $5,611/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
90266	Manhattan Beach	$5,611	-1.6%	100.0%
90254	Hermosa Beach	$3,915	+3.4%	0.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$16,451/mo

Home price / national median income38.9x

Annual rent / national median income80.4%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$10,841/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$776,233 (-1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.