Guide to Manhattan Beach Elementary Schools

Guide to Manhattan Beach Elementary Schools

When you think of Manhattan Beach, more than a couple of iconic correlations come to mind. The beach volleyball capital of the world, the Jerry Mcguire house, the Roundhouse Aquarium, and many more. While these are all massive Manhattan Beach staples, I bet you didn’t know what Manhattan Beach is truly known for and the real reason why Manhattan Beach real estate is so sought after. 

For generations, MBUSD (Manhattan Beach Unified School District) has consistently ranked among the top tier of public schools in California. Most recently coming in at #18 out of 440 schools in California, and #280 out of 10,571 in the nation. The district's average test ranking is a jaw-dropping 10/10, placing MBUSD in the top 5% of public schools. Manhattan Beach public school attendees are essentially receiving a private school education at no cost. 

Overview of Elementary Schools

MBUSD consists of one high school (Mira Costa High School), one middle school (Manhattan Beach Middle School), five elementary schools (Grand View Elementary, Meadows Elementary, Pacific Elementary, Pennekamp Elementary, and Robinson Elementary), and one pre-school (Manhattan Beach Pre-School). 

If you’re researching which Manhattan Beach elementary school is the best for your little one, DOMO Group has got you covered. The one piece of information you need to know is that elementary schools are divided up by neighborhood, so the neighborhood you live in will dictate which elementary school your child will attend. 

Elementary Schools By Neighborhood

Manhattan Beach neighborhoods are divided into the Sand Section, Tree Section, Hill Section, and East Manhattan. South Sand Section and Hill Section are home to the Robinson Riptides, North Sand Section and West Tree Section are home to the Grand View Gators, East Tree Section is home to the Pacific Panthers, South East Manhattan is home to the Pennekamp Dragons, and North East Manhattan is home to Meadows Mustangs. 

Elementary Schools By Ranking

We’ve compiled all Manhattan Beach elementary schools stating their ranks, stats, and unique programs each offers. 

Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary #1 in MB #168 public school in CA 

110 S Rowell Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

• Pennekamp Dragons
• 439 Students
• 89% students scored at or above proficient level in math 
• 91% students scored at or above proficient level in reading 
• Student teacher ratio 23:1

From science to art, Pennekamp offers programs suitable for all left and right brains. But what stood out to us is that each morning all students, teachers and parents in attendance come together for unified “mindful minute” to set an intention for the day. Programs include Science Lab, Music, Young at Art, and Run Club. 

Robinson Elementary 2 in MB #194 public school in CA

80 S Morningside Dr, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

• Robinson Riptides (Dolphins)
• 307 Students
• 92% students scored at or above proficient level in math 
• 92% students scored at or above proficient level in reading 
• Student teacher ratio 24:1 

Given the programs they offer, Robinson leans more towards the arts. Notably, Young at Art is a program built around creating art, not the end product. Teaching students the creative process and how to use materials in endless ways. Parents can keep up with all happenings and events, like Wine Walk and Tacos and Tequilia night, in Robinson’s Weekly Wave newspaper. 

Pacific Elementary #3 in MB #221 in CA 

1200 Pacific Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 

• Pacific Panthers 
• 538 Students 
• 85% students scored at or above proficient level in math 
• 85% students scored at or above proficient level in reading 
• Student teacher ratio 22:1

The Pacific Panthers host an array of after-school programs, great for busy parents! They also encourage and instill positive behavior in their students by implementing PBIS - Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support. A program put in place to enforce good behavior by giving out Praise tickets (tokens of good behavior). 

Grand View Elementary #4 in MB #256 public school in CA 

455 24th St Manhattan Beach, CA 

• Grand View Gators 
• 530 Students
• 82% students scored at or above proficient level in math 
• 83% students scored at or above proficient level in reading 
• Student teacher ratio 22:1

Grand View seems to have it all, and then some! What sets them apart is their attention to environmental education. They offer programs such as Grades of Green, and Growing Great. GOG teaches students the importance of eco-friendly practices in everyday tasks. Including encouraging students to recycle their lunch waste correctly by offering raffle tickets to local businesses like Sketchers & Fresh Brothers.  Growing Great is a nutrition-based program offered five times a year to third-fifth graders on the importance of healthy food choices. Local farmers provide monthly seasonal harvests for the students to enjoy and bring home to their families. 

Additionally, innovation and technology are not forgotten here. Makerspace is a unique learning environment focused on open-ended STEAM challenges (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). The engineering curriculum challenges the students to brainstorm solutions to an assigned problem, design it on paper, build it, test it, make improvements, and then share lessons learned with the class. The students use tools (purchased by the PTA) and materials (donated recyclables from parents) to build an invention, experiment with an idea and innovate new possibilities. The students collaborate with a partner or team that nurtures learning from failure and experiencing the benefits of working well with others. The Makerspace hands-on approach sees real results in critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Meadows Avenue Elementary #5 in MB #289 public school in CA 

1200 Meadows Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 

• Meadows Mustangs 
• 390 Students 
• 75% students scored at or above proficient level in math 
• 75% students scored at or above proficient level in reading 
• Student teacher ratio 23:1

Meadows offers GOG, and Growing Great as well. Additionally, you and your little one can lace your shoes up together and hit the turf for Run Club! Students, teachers, and parents are welcome to run, walk, skip for 20 minutes before the start of school Tuesday-Friday. This program is aimed to induce cardio activity, which we all know is absolutely great for our bodies! 

Meadows also prides itself on their music program. Starting in third grade, students will be given the opportunity to try out the violin, recorder, or choir. Once in 4th grade, students will choose a music program of their preference that they will participate in for 2 years.