Malibu : Report on Prep School

A college prep school in Malibu for grades 7 through 12 would offer students an alternative to Santa Monica High School and could woo students from private schools, according to a preliminary report.

The report by the Malibu High School Study Committee found that many Malibu parents send their children to private schools rather than have them commute to Santa Monica High, the district’s only high school.

In addition, at least one-third of all Malibu children in kindergarten to eighth grade attend private schools, the committee estimates. As a result, enrollment at the district’s Malibu Park School, which serves kindergarten through grade 8, has declined and has forced cuts in classes, according to the report, submitted to the school board this week.

With some upgrading of the library and science labs, the middle school section of the 32-acre Malibu Park campus could serve grades 7 to 12, the report states. That part of the campus now has about 300 students but can accommodate about 1,000.

The proposed school, which would open in September, 1991, may not have as many electives and extracurricular activities as the 2,700-student Santa Monica High, but would offer a semi-rural and smaller setting, the report says. There should be no entrance requirements other than a willingness by students and parents to “commit to the level of effort required to achieve success in a rigorous academic program.”

A certain number of openings at the Malibu school would be set aside for students living in Santa Monica.

Costs for the 1990-91 planning year are estimated at $82,100, which includes funds for recruiting minority students. Operational costs would be largely covered by increased state funding based on increased enrollment, the report states.

The committee, which includes parents, students and educators, plans to submit its final report to the board July 9.