LAUSD Enrollment Declines, But SMMUSD Stable Amid Statewide Drop in Students

SANTA MONICA - While California public schools saw their largest enrollment decline since the return from the pandemic, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) reported only a modest drop this school year, in contrast to steeper losses in the much larger Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

Statewide, public school enrollment from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade fell by 74,961 students, or 1.3%, during the 2025-26 school year - the sharpest decline since 2021-22. The California Department of Education attributed the drop primarily to ongoing declines in birth rates and reduced immigration.

In Los Angeles County, which accounted for nearly 44% of the statewide loss, enrollment decreased by 32,953 students, or 2.6%. LAUSD, the state's largest district, experienced one of the steeper declines, losing approximately 16,765 students - a 4.5% drop that represented about 22% of the entire state decrease.

By comparison, SMMUSD recorded a far smaller decline. As of the official October 1, 2025 count, the district had 8,520 students - a drop of just 80 students from the previous year. District officials described the figure as a sign of stabilization after years of much larger annual losses, which had often ranged from 300 to 400 students and sometimes reached 600.

SMMUSD leaders have pointed to factors such as the expansion of Transitional Kindergarten programs and new families moving into the area - including some displaced by the Palisades fire - as contributing to the slower decline. As a Basic Aid district primarily funded through local property taxes rather than state per-pupil formulas, SMMUSD's smaller enrollment shift has less immediate impact on its core revenue compared to districts like LAUSD.

The contrasting trends come as many California districts face budget pressures from reduced enrollment and attendance-based funding. Larger urban districts like LAUSD have cited additional challenges, including a notable drop in newcomer students amid immigration enforcement concerns.

State data shows California's total public school enrollment now stands at approximately 5.7 million students. Officials expect the broader downward trend to continue in coming years due to demographic shifts.

SMMUSD has maintained a positive financial certification despite past deficit projections tied to enrollment declines, while LAUSD has grappled with larger budget challenges linked to its steeper losses.

Local education leaders in Santa Monica-Malibu say they will continue monitoring enrollment closely, particularly as the district moves forward with plans that could lead to unification separating Santa Monica and Malibu into two independent districts.

This story is based on official California Department of Education figures and local district reports for the 2025-26 school year. Enrollment numbers can vary slightly depending on the exact counting methodology used.