Pennekamp Elementary School

As Manhattan Beach flourished in the 1950s, the school district purchased land in the southeast portion of Manhattan Beach to build a new elementary school. Construction began in July 1954. At the district’s direction, contractors utilized a unique building technique known as “Lift-Slab” to build the school. The technique involved pouring the roof on the floor slab and then raising the roof in one piece. 

Over the years Pennekamp Elementary has continued to grow. In November 1956, three additional classrooms were completed. In the late 1990s portable classrooms were added to the site. The school has increased to an enrollment of just under 600 students. Many beloved teachers have served Pennekamp students over the years. In the early days teachers were required to live in the District and many boarded with families in the community. The teachers were required to teach Sunday school at the Manhattan Beach Community Church and were not permitted to marry.