As the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District gets ready for the new school year beginning Sept. 5, lack of space due to over-enrollment seems to be a predominant concern in Malibu elementary schools, while Malibu High’s enrollment remains stable for the time being.
“It shows people like the schools,” said John Deasy, the new SMMUSD superintendent, who is working on solutions to accommodate all students. “It’s a tough situation from a positive point of view. We have a contingency plan, but we will make sure we have an actual head count when students arrive first. Should students come in and a school actually be over-enrolled, than we would have to make an extra classroom.”
On that up note, many school constructions projects that were underway throughout last year are now completed, so students will benefit from new playing fields, libraries and updated academic programs.
This year, Webster Elementary School expects an estimated 450 students, with 80 incoming kindergartners. But the school barely has space to accommodate all the students and they are over-enrolled in the 1st and 2nd grades.
Webster now has a new library and a computer lab, said Principal Phil Cott. A second playing field will open in a month or two and will be available for community use during off hours.
Academically, Webster will use new math and science programs that include hands-on activities.
“This will be the first time in many years that all the schools are using the same math program,” said Cott. “We believe that it will help all students district wide meet the state standards because it was written specifically after the new standards were set.”
Webster will also have three new teachers, replacing three longtime teachers who retired at the end of the last school year.
Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School is also full.
“We’re really trying to figure out strategies of who has the room,” said Cynthia Gray, Point Dume principal, about the overflow. “It has not been so in the past. Point Dume opened six years ago to create that outlet and we’re cutting back. Now I have room only in second grade.”
Point Dume has about 350 students enrolled, with 47 incoming kindergartners. The school is unique because many of the teaching positions are filled by teachers who job-share, which means they share one contract and each one usually works 50 percent of the time.
Juan Cabrillo Elementary is also overenrolled in four grade levels with waiting lists. As for improvements, Cabrillo is getting a face-lift with exterior paint and an upgrade to one wing.
An informal introductory meeting between students, teachers and parents will take place at a barbecue at Juan Cabrillo on Tuesday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Malibu High School expects 1,200 students this year, with 50 or 60 incoming 6th-graders.
“But we never quite know how many we are going to have until they actually sit in their seats,” said Principal Mike Matthews.
However, unlike the elementary schools, Malibu High is not running out of space because enrollment remains stable thus far.
“One of the goals we always have is to make sure we know our students well,” said Matthews.
This year, the school hired an additional English teacher and one middle school counselor. “We now have a middle school assistant principal and the Boys and Girls Club to meet the needs of middle school students,” said Matthews.
In an effort to offer continuity for older students, high school students will now have the same homeroom teacher for the entire four years of high school, enabling students and teachers to know each other well.
Malibu High will feature a new track and field with a new all-weather track, and Matthews hopes the 12-classroom building, now under construction, will be finished this year.
The school also hired an athletic director who will help expand the program, said Matthews.
Malibu High will become the Malibu headquarters for the district superintendent. In an effort to be directly involved with Malibu schools and the community, Deasy opened an office at the school, where he plans to be available Thursdays or Fridays, depending on board meeting dates.