Palisades Charter High School students have returned to their temporary Santa Monica campus, marking the beginning of a busy back-to-school period that will see thousands of students converge on the city's school campuses over the next two weeks.
Pali High students resumed classes Aug. 13 at the former Sears building site on Colorado Avenue, where they have been housed since being displaced by the Palisades Fire. The school is one of four that relocated to Santa Monica under an emergency order approved by the City Council and will remain through Dec. 19 as they prepare to return to the Palisades.
"Back to school can be a hectic transition for many families, and especially for our Palisades families who are still in the process of rebuilding," Mayor Lana Negrete said. "The city remains a committed partner in helping restore a sense of normalcy as families settle into their routines for the new school year."
Santa Monica High School students will follow one week later, returning to their campus Thursday, Aug. 21, as part of the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District's start date that will see thousands of students flooding to schools all across the city.
With the influx of students, city officials are advising commuters, residents, workers and business owners to allow extra time when traveling near school areas and to remain vigilant for student pedestrians.
The city has implemented multiple safety measures to manage the increased foot and vehicle traffic around schools. Crossing guards will be stationed at every SMMUSD campus to help manage critical intersections, and the Santa Monica Police Department has issued safety guidelines for students, parents and motorists navigating school zones.
For students, safety tips include always crossing with crossing guards at intersections rather than in the middle of streets or between parked cars, avoiding walking alone or through alleyways, and immediately reporting any intimidation or bullying to adults.
Parents are encouraged to tour unfamiliar schools and neighborhoods with their children, discuss emergency plans, and ensure schools have current pickup authorization and contact information on file.
Motorists are reminded to pay special attention to speed limits near schools, follow traffic circulation plans, obey crossing guard directions and avoid double parking when dropping off students.
The city has also completed major pedestrian safety improvements around six schools earlier this year. The project, finished in May, included 19 curb extensions, 37 ADA curb ramp upgrades, one flashing beacon, three new trees and updated roadway striping and markings, including 50 refreshed crosswalks at Edison Language Academy, Santa Monica Alternative Schoolhouse, John Muir Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Grant Elementary and Franklin Elementary.
To ease transportation challenges, both SMMUSD and Los Angeles Unified School District participate in the regional GoPass program, providing free transit rides to all K-12 students on Big Blue Bus and LA Metro trains and buses. Students can use registered passes for travel to and from school or any other purpose, including weekends.
The passage of Measure K in November 2024 has enabled the city to resume Safe Routes to School programming, which promotes walking and biking to school while identifying needed infrastructure improvements.
City transportation staff were present at Santa Monica High School's 9th Grade Registration Day on Aug. 12 to answer questions and help students obtain GoPass transit passes.
Parents and students are encouraged to consider carpooling, walking, biking or taking public transit, with some families organizing bike buses or walking school buses to promote community involvement and student health.
Downtown businesses will continue offering discounts and specials for faculty and students throughout the school year.
Other area schools will begin classes on staggered dates: St. Anne's will start Aug. 21, the same day as Santa Monica High School, while St. Monica's will begin Aug. 25 with earlier activities scheduled, and New Roads will commence Aug. 29.
City officials stress that the first few weeks of school typically require patience as families adjust to new routines, particularly with ongoing construction projects across Santa Monica. They encourage residents to "take the friendly road" and show extra consideration for one another during the transition period.
For more information on back-to-school transportation resources and safety tips, residents can visit the city's Take the Friendly Road newsletter and transportation webpage.