Welcome to McKinley Elementary School, a joyful and diverse neighborhood school serving approximately 375 students in PreK through fifth grade. As a proud public school within the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District, we nurture curious, capable learners who think critically, communicate effectively, demonstrate strong character, and contribute to their communities.

Founded more than 120 years ago, McKinley is proud of its rich history and beautiful 6.5-acre campus. Our historic buildings feature traditional California Spanish Revival architecture, while our spectacular new two-story building provides innovative indoor and outdoor learning spaces. For the first time in the school’s history, it also connects our historic buildings, creating a more unified and accessible campus that reflects the collaborative spirit at the heart of McKinley.

This sense of unity and connection extends beyond our campus and shapes how we learn, grow, and care for one another. We are committed to nurturing the whole child, achieving strong outcomes for every student, and addressing persistent opportunity and achievement gaps. Our PRIDE philosophy guides every aspect of school life:

• Peaceful: Students build positive relationships and resolve conflicts with care.
• Respectful: Students value themselves, others, and the many identities within our community.
• Intelligent: Students think critically, creatively, and with curiosity.
• Diverse: Students celebrate differences and recognize them as a source of strength.
• Enthusiastic: Students approach learning with confidence, joy, and a willingness to grow.

McKinley educators use inclusive design to provide rigorous instruction responsive to each child. Teaching builds on students’ cultures, experiences, interests, and strengths, while our Multi-Tiered System of Supports provides targeted academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support and enrichment.

Learning is also authentic and purposeful. Through project-based learning, inquiry-based mathematics, literacy grounded in student voice and choice, and the Social Justice Standards, students explore meaningful issues and develop the confidence to contribute to their communities.

We nurture the whole child through music, visual art, theater, dance, science, gardening, makerspace, physical education, and student clubs. Restorative practices, community meetings, mindfulness, and social-emotional instruction help students build relationships, manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and take responsibility for their choices.

McKinley is a deeply collaborative community because we believe learning is a social act. Students learn through conversation, partnership, and shared problem-solving; staff collaborate through professional learning communities; and families have many opportunities to connect, volunteer, and help shape our school culture.

I am honored to welcome you to the McKinley family and look forward to partnering with you in your child’s learning journey. I know you will love this special community as much as I do.

Welcome to our pride. Go Lions!

In partnership,

Dr. Daniela Wiener
Principal