The SMMUSD Wave- June 2025
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and Community Members,
As we close out the 2024–25 school year, I want to celebrate the accomplishments of our students, staff and families across Santa Monica and Malibu. Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2025 at Malibu High School, Olympic High School and Santa Monica High School. Your perseverance, creativity and determination have brought you to this important milestone, and we are proud to have been a part of your journey. I also want to recognize the achievements of our Adult Education graduates and our students moving on from elementary and middle school as they prepare for the next phase in their educational careers.
This year, our district has continued to expand transformative approaches to teaching and learning. Through project-based learning, culturally responsive instruction and real-world career exploration, we are supporting academic success while nurturing the whole child. Our commitment to restorative practices has also strengthened school communities by building trust, fostering accountability and centering relationships.
These efforts reflect the heart of our mission: extraordinary achievement for all students while closing the achievement gap. They also align with our core values of belonging, curiosity and empowerment, which guide how we show up for one another across every classroom and campus.
Thank you for being an essential part of our SMMUSD community. Your support, collaboration and care help create the conditions for students to thrive. I wish you a restful and safe summer.
To our recent high school graduates, please read our congratulatory message and enjoy a short video from members of our school board (https://bit.ly/CongratsFromBOE2025) and a congratulatory video message from me (https://bit.ly/CongratsFromDrShelton2025).
Sincerely,
Dr. Antonio Shelton
Superintendent
You can read prior Superintendent Messages here.
John Adams Middle School
Lincoln Middle School
Malibu Middle School
SMASH
Edison Language Academy
Franklin Elementary School
Grant Elementary School
Malibu Elementary School
McKinley Elementary School
Roosevelt Elementary School
Webster Elementary School
Will Rogers Learning Community
Congratulations SMMUSD Adult Education Graduates!
Congratulations to the graduates of the SMMUSD Adult School. Your determination, perseverance, and commitment to lifelong learning embody the values we hold dear at SMMUSD. You’ve shown that it’s never too late to grow, achieve, and pursue your goals. We celebrate your success and look forward to all that comes next.
Another Successful Class of Young Collegians Graduate
Young Collegians Cohort 15 celebrated their graduation and upcoming post-secondary plans with family and community who supported them along the way. The Young Collegians program is a collaborative initiative between the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) and Santa Monica College (SMC) that provides high school students, particularly those who are first-generation or underrepresented in higher education, with an early start on college.
Students, typically identified in their freshman year, participate in concurrent enrollment classes at SMC during summers and are encouraged to take additional classes during the fall and spring semesters, aiming to accrue up to 14 transferable college units by high school graduation. The program offers significant benefits by providing free college coursework (enrollment fees are waived for qualifying high school students), fostering self-confidence and self-discipline through exposure to college-level academics, and equipping students with critical thinking, communication, and study skills necessary for collegiate success. Beyond academics, Young Collegians receive comprehensive support through workshops focusing on tutoring, team building, career exploration, and college preparation, ensuring a seamless transition to higher education and addressing potential barriers for students who may not have otherwise considered college. Congrats to the Young Collegians class of 2025!
Congratulations to Our Multilingual Learners!
More than 100 SMMUSD multilingual learners were recently reclassified as English proficient during a special celebration held in their honor. This milestone reflects the hard work of our students, families, and educators, and highlights our commitment to academic achievement and language equity. The event brought together families, friends, and district leaders, with folklorico and mariachi performances and a taco cart to mark the occasion.
Happy Retirement!
We extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to the 64 dedicated SMMUSD retirees who are closing this chapter after years of service. Whether in the classroom, behind the wheel, maintaining our campuses, or supporting operations at the district level, each of you has made a lasting impact on our students and school communities. Your contributions have helped shape a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for learning and growth. Thank you for your commitment. You will always be part of the SMMUSD family. See the full list of retirees here and the tributes read during the celebration here.
Thank you, Student Board Members, Ella and Haley!
Thank you to student board members Haley Castanaza of Santa Monica High School and Ella Stabile of Malibu High School for your outstanding service this year. Your leadership, insight, and thoughtful contributions helped strengthen the connection between the Board of Education and our school communities. We are grateful for your commitment to representing your peers and elevating student voice.
John Adams Middle School Immersion Graduation
Felicidades to the nearly 70 JAMS eighth-grade students who were honored for completing their eighth grade year in SMMUSD’s immersion program. The celebration featured mariachi performances, refreshments, and recognition for students who also earned the LACOE Certificate of Civic Engagement. Immersion students will continue the program at Samohi in the fall, with expectations of earning their Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation.
Career Technical Education Celebration
Santa Monica High School hosted a Career Technical Education (CTE) luncheon and celebration honoring graduating seniors in the CTE pathways. District leadership, community members, and education partners had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art Exploration Building, which houses hands-on, career-aligned learning spaces. Seniors received their graduation stoles in recognition of their commitment to specialized pathways that prepare them for college, careers, and life. This celebration highlighted the importance of transformative approaches to education that empower students through real-world experiences, industry connections, and meaningful exploration.
John Adams Middle School Celebrates AVID Students
JAMS recently held its first-ever celebration honoring AVID students and their accomplishments. Families, friends, and staff gathered to recognize students' hard work, dedication, and college-ready mindset. The event marked a meaningful milestone for the AVID program at JAMS. Watch the full recap here.
Congratulations to the PBL Graduating Class
Congratulations to the graduating class of the Samohi Project Based Learning (PBL) pathway! The PBL Class of 2025 was honored in a heartfelt stole ceremony that celebrated their journey, creativity, and deep impact on the school community. Each student received a commemorative stole, symbolizing their growth, accomplishments, and contributions throughout the PBL experience. The PBL Class of 2025 leaves behind a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future PBL cohorts.
Honoring Heritage and Achievement: Legado Latino’s 2025 Graduation Celebration at Santa Monica High School
The Legado Latino Club at Samohi proudly hosted its annual Celebration of Graduation, on Friday, May 23, 2025. The vibrant event honored the cultural heritage, academic accomplishments, and community contributions of Latino students. The celebration featured traditional food, music, live mariachi, and folkloric dance, all showcasing the richness and diversity of Latino culture. Graduating club members were awarded custom designed stoles, symbols of their dedication, leadership, and involvement in promoting inclusion and cultural pride throughout their time at Samohi.
Tradition: Samohi Grads Visit their Elementary School in Caps and Gowns
Santa Monica High School seniors took part in a beloved tradition on Monday, June 9, 2025, the Samohi Clap Out! Seniors visited a number of elementary schools within the District, retracing their roots and inspiring future grads. It was a joyful celebration of how far they’ve come and a reminder to younger students that their journey is just beginning.
Edison Language Academy Honored at Disneyland for California Distinguished School
Edison Language Academy was recently honored at Disneyland as a 2025 California Distinguished School, one of only a few dual immersion programs in the state to receive this prestigious recognition. This milestone reflects the dedication of Edison’s students, staff, families and community, whose collective efforts continue to help the program grow and thrive. SMMUSD is proud to support this work and celebrate this outstanding achievement alongside the Edison community.
The Santa Monica Education Foundation
To the Samohi Class of 2025!
From your first day of Kindergarten to graduation day, we've been proud to be part of your journey. Wishing you a future full of possibility.
Wishing you all the best,
The Santa Monica Education Foundation
The Malibu Education Foundation
Congratulations, Malibu Class of 2025!
From all of us at the Malibu Education Foundation, congratulations to the incredible Class of 2025!
Your journey has been one of resilience, creativity, and perseverance through years of change—and your accomplishments reflect the strength of our Malibu student community.
We’re proud to support the programs that helped shape your experience, and we can’t wait to see what’s next as you take your next steps into the world. Wherever you go, you carry the spirit of Malibu with you.
Wishing you all the best,
Malibu Education Foundation
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