Santa Monica Alternative (K-8) School

We've been at SMASH for 2 years now. This is a wonderfully nurturing creative environment for children. My child is extremely happy. Teachers and principal are top notch. They are on the cutting edge of education, offering so many extra tools to parents and children. For example, last week there was a lecture on decreasing stress in children. No bullies as the staff and principal are proactive and true problem solvers. Very involved parents. Overall caring community and very down to earth. Huge emphasis on reading, writing, creativity, multi aged classrooms, art, story telling, drama, and project based learning. The kids here love going to school. Even without the traditional learning and homework, my child is still at or above grade level. Learning is fun and creative at SMASH, not "stuck in your desk stifling." True "out of the box" education. That all said, getting into SMASH is very difficult and it is like winning the lottery as it has the same philosophy and teaching model as top west LA private alternative schools, many of which we toured.

Alumni. I'm in HS right now, I believe SMASH was a great experience for me. I went from K to 8th. It was fun. Looking back, there were many times when I had wish I had a better understanding in math. Today, I struggle with some pretty simple concepts now that I'm in High School. SMASH has a really great reading/writing program, I owe much of that success to SMASH. I think many of the routines we had: signaling for silence with a peace sign, and standing up to ask a question was a bit of a waste of time, as it is not applicable to my life right now. Another downside is somewhat trivial, but expected. You always hear that one question as a freshman: "What middle school did you go to?". As a former SMASH student, it's a dilemma. In my case, I always felt embarrassed when I told them SMASH and they would have a weird look on their face. There is a stigma around "SMASH" kids. They are portrayed as off, or the kids who "Don't get homework". Overall, most of my greatest memories were at SMASH, we were so close, like a family. I do truly miss those days. If I was given an opportunity to relive them, I wouldn't hesitate. (Class Of 2012)

Smash is an amazing school and I am so grateful everyday that my daughter goes there. This was our 1st year at SMASH and the teachers and principle surpassed my expectations. They speak to children with such honor and respect. Not shaming them and finding every opportunity as a way to teach children. The faculty at this school work from a conscious mind set and find creative ways to educate children. They spend a lot of time developing the child from the inside out and really help foster children's emotions. If the world could operate like this school, the world would be a better place.

This school values and supports the child's inquisitive mind and natural desire to learn and be a full participant in his/her world, unique and wonderful in a overall public education system enslaved to race to nowhere state testing and funding/ranking issues. Has a wonderful community of caring parents along with many of its teachers, and children w ho feel part of a bigger picture- learning to be good citizens in the world. In certain cases "alternative" however seems to include a lack of accountability around state benchmarks and curriculum, particularly in math, even where they are developmentally appropriate. There also seems to be an "alternative" approach to sound protocols around classroom management , school operations and student behavior, which is confusing at best at times. Small classroom size is a huge plus in terms of following student interests and projects, and instilling joy in learning rather than rote. Middle school is not fraught with the normal "risk" behaviors that emerge at this age at other schools- a huge plus. There is no principal or asst principal on site a couple of days a week- this can be problematic along w/ other leadership issues.