Santa Monica High First Day of School

The first day at Santa Monica High is mostly about orientation - teachers go over syllabi and expectations, and students reconnect with friends and get a feel for their schedule. For incoming freshmen, the campus can feel overwhelming at first, but the routine clicks quickly. A first-day photo is still a rite of passage for many families, even if the student needs a little convincing to pose.

Over the last 3 years, conditions on the first day of school have varied: in 2025 it was overcast with a high of 88°F and low of 62°F; in 2024 it was clear with a high of 94°F and low of 62°F; and in 2023 there was heavy rain with a high of 72°F and low of 67°F (2.72 of rain). Late August weather in this area can range from overcast marine layer mornings to warm, sunny afternoons, so it's worth checking the forecast the week before.

On August 20, sunrise is at 6:18 AM and sunset is at 7:36 PM. With school typically running from around 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, students will have full daylight for the entire school day - the sun is well up before the morning bell and stays light well past dismissal. Along the South Bay coast, a morning marine layer is common in late August but typically burns off by mid-morning.

Santa Monica High is located at 601 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405. It is part of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified.

Santa Monica High serves students in 9th grade through 12th grade.

Santa Monica High has approximately 2,700 students.

Santa Monica High is part of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified, which serves Santa Monica and the surrounding area.