One Year Later, Former Palisades Residents Still a Presence in Manhattan Beach Schools
Jan 16, 2026 08:59AM ● By Dave Fratello
Just over a year after the tragic L.A. County wildfires, Manhattan Beach schools continue to host a substantial number of students who were displaced from other communities – many from Pacific Palisades.
According to new data from the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, emergency transfers to the district peaked at 231 students last year. Out of all those students, 159 completed the last school year in MBUSD.
This year, numbers are down by half, with a total of 76 students from the original cohort still enrolled with MBUSD.
While many families did relocate to Manhattan Beach and the South Bay, not all of the students who joined MBUSD were living locally. Indeed, soon after the fires, many former Palisades residents had some children enrolled in schools closer to their home district, with others at schools here in MBUSD or at American Martyrs.
The school district's openness to transfer students was only a part of Manhattan Beach's broad efforts to embrace families who had lost their homes, or the use of their homes, as a result of the fires.
A massive "welcome party" in February 2025 brought together local leaders, community groups and residents organized as the ad hoc "Pali South Community Team," and featured food and drink – almost all donated by local businesses.
As is evident in the local real estate market, a substantial number of families have permanently or semi-permanently relocated to Manhattan Beach. Others are renting locally, and still trying to decide on a next move.
Costa still has the highest number of transfer students, with 43 today, according to MBUSD figures.
Now, as the district continues to host a substantial number of transfer students, and while others have moved on, Tina Shivpuri, current president of the MBUSD school board, said, “Each family’s journey after the fires has been deeply personal, and we respect the decisions they made for their children. We’re grateful to the families who joined our school community, whether briefly or for the long term, and to the students, staff, and families whose compassion helped create a welcoming and supportive environment.”
According to new data from the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, emergency transfers to the district peaked at 231 students last year. Out of all those students, 159 completed the last school year in MBUSD.
This year, numbers are down by half, with a total of 76 students from the original cohort still enrolled with MBUSD.
Displaced Students and Families Welcomed in Manhattan Beach
Last year, Manhattan Beach and nearby school districts were able to accommodate a sudden wave of new students, thanks to regulations that allow for transfers and acceptance in new school districts in emergencies. New students were not required to establish residency to be welcomed into the district.While many families did relocate to Manhattan Beach and the South Bay, not all of the students who joined MBUSD were living locally. Indeed, soon after the fires, many former Palisades residents had some children enrolled in schools closer to their home district, with others at schools here in MBUSD or at American Martyrs.
The school district's openness to transfer students was only a part of Manhattan Beach's broad efforts to embrace families who had lost their homes, or the use of their homes, as a result of the fires.
A massive "welcome party" in February 2025 brought together local leaders, community groups and residents organized as the ad hoc "Pali South Community Team," and featured food and drink – almost all donated by local businesses.
As is evident in the local real estate market, a substantial number of families have permanently or semi-permanently relocated to Manhattan Beach. Others are renting locally, and still trying to decide on a next move.
Where Displaced Students Are Now
As the transfer population reached over 200 students in the enrollment surge, MB News reported that 120 displaced students had enrolled at Mira Costa.Costa still has the highest number of transfer students, with 43 today, according to MBUSD figures.
Meantime, there are 28 transfer students spread among Manhattan Beach's five elementary schools, and 5 transfer students at the middle school.
Each Family's Journey 'Deeply Personal'
In the heat of last year's rush of enrollment, Wysh Weinstein, then-president of the MBUSD school board, told MB News, "It has been heartwarming to see Costa students welcoming our new families... Everyone should feel so proud to live in this community where we all jump up to help and welcome our new students and neighbors."Now, as the district continues to host a substantial number of transfer students, and while others have moved on, Tina Shivpuri, current president of the MBUSD school board, said, “Each family’s journey after the fires has been deeply personal, and we respect the decisions they made for their children. We’re grateful to the families who joined our school community, whether briefly or for the long term, and to the students, staff, and families whose compassion helped create a welcoming and supportive environment.”
