Malibu students head back to school with strong community support
By Barbara Burke · Thu Aug 27 2026
Malibu Education Foundation enters its third year providing expanded academic, athletic, and arts programs as students return to classrooms
Although some readers will no doubt wonder with immense incredulity how in the world summer is coming to an end so seemingly soon, Malibu’s public school pupils went back to school on Aug. 20, full of hope and anticipation.
“One of the things I love about going back to school in Malibu is how sweet and close-knit our little community feels,” said Jilina Jeanne Scott, mother of two boys returning to Malibu Elementary School. “It really does feel like a small town, where everyone knows each other, looks out for one another and our kids feel safe, loved and surrounded by familiar faces.
“There’s something so special about that first day back ... hearing about everyone’s summers, the excitement over new school supplies and a brand-new grade, and the little tradition of bringing your new teacher an apple, flowers or a small gift to sweeten the first day,” she added. “It’s such an innocent, happy time and a beautiful reminder of how lucky our kids are to grow up in this community.”
Starting school better resourced, compliments of Malibu Education Foundation
“Malibu Education Foundation is entering its third year and the impact on Malibu’s schools has never been greater,” said Karin Al-Hardan, president and founding executive director of the nonprofit organization, which was formed to support Malibu public schools. “Thanks to the generosity of our community, Malibu students are better equipped as they head into a new school year.”
Al-Hardan noted that MEF funds four full-time instructional aides at both Malibu Elementary and Webster Elementary, thereby ensuring teachers have the support they need to help every student progress academically. “Malibu Education Foundation also contributes to visual arts programming, complementing the incredible work the PTAs do to keep creativity alive for our youngest learners,” she said.
MEF founded the athletics program at Malibu Middle School in 2024, providing six teams with 130 students participating at zero cost to families, according to Al-Hardan. “Today, the athletics program offers more than 10 no-cut, no-cost sports, reaching half of the middle school student body," she said. "Those programs have begun to uplevel Malibu High School’s varsity teams by developing younger athletes.”
This year, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District assumed permanent funding of the program. “That transition from a Malibu Education Foundation-funded pilot to a proven, fully-district-funded program is exactly the model that MEF was built to execute,” Al-Hardan said.
MEF’s contributions to middle and high school students
At Malibu Middle School, the foundation partners with the Successful Educational Achievement (SEA) program, Al-Hardan explained, “to provide targeted one-on-one tutoring for students with documented learning differences.” The program is supported by a wildfire recovery grant from the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation. “Together, these programs ensure our students have the structured academic support they need to move forward,” she noted.
Al-Hardan elaborated, noting that across Malibu’s secondary schools, MEF funds math tutors and contributes to performing arts for students: “Malibu Foundation also funds a community service liaison, strength and conditioning and assistant coaches — our behind-the-scenes support makes a real difference for students every day.”
When the January 2025 fires forced nearly a month of school closures, Malibu High School students lost instructional time they couldn’t afford to lose, Al-Hardan explained. “State test results reflected the disruption and MHS dropped from 77th to 276th in California,” she said. “MEF responded quickly by funding the Shark Academy Pilot, a targeted academic recovery and acceleration program, complementing the efforts of the MHS administration and the PTSA, who showed up with encouragement and snacks for every exam preparation session.”
Noting the Shark Academy Pilot’s beneficial impact, she stated, “The results were measurable: in the 2026-2027 U.S. News and World report rankings released this month, MHS climbed by up to 158th place in California, with an advanced placement participation rising from 64% of the student body to 75%.”
To learn more about Malibu Education Foundation, visit MalibuEducationFoundation.org. There, you can find out more about the organization’s Oct. 17 annual Gala. Tickets are already on sale at onecau.se/mefgala.
“Just like the students, MEF is just getting started!” Al-Hardin exclaimed. Here’s to a wonderful school year!