Original Research by School Decision on Pbl High
PBL High, located on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, is no longer operational. The school has closed, so current enrollment data, academic performance metrics, and test results are not available. The school exists in the historical record of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District but is not accepting students.
For families looking for high school options in Santa Monica, the district operates Santa Monica High School, which serves middle and high grades and sits on a hilltop campus near downtown. The district is also home to Olympic High School and, until the pending separation takes effect, serves Malibu High School as well. The district has recently emphasized American Cultures and Ethnic Studies (ACES) as a core graduation requirement across its high schools, reflecting a districtwide commitment to social justice standards.
Santa Monica itself is an upscale beach community with diverse residential neighborhoods ranging from dense condos and apartments downtown to single-family homes in inland areas like Sunset Park. The city is highly walkable in its commercial core and along the Third Street Promenade, though other neighborhoods require more driving. Housing costs in the area are substantial, and the city is currently experiencing significant development, with multiple high-density housing projects underway as developers respond to state mandates for new units.
The district is navigating a major structural change: Malibu schools are separating to form an independent district, a process expected to complete by fall 2026. This separation, driven by differences in funding and local priorities, will reshape which students attend which district and how school funding flows. The district recently passed two large facilities bonds in November 2024—Measure QS for Santa Monica schools—to fund repairs and upgrades over the coming years. Additionally, Santa Monica voters approved Measure GS in 2022, a real estate transfer tax that directs revenue to schools among other priorities, creating an ongoing funding source tied to high-value property sales.
For families seeking information about currently operating public high schools in Santa Monica, direct contact with the district office or visits to Santa Monica High School would provide current information about programs, enrollment, and admissions.
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