Mark Twain Middle

Mark Twain Middle sits in the laid-back, beach-adjacent neighborhood of Mar Vista, where the vibe is equal parts creative and outdoorsy — close enough to Santa Monica and Venice to feel like a coastal community, but with a quieter, more residential feel. The school performs solidly above the midpoint for California middle schools, which is genuinely competitive given the size and diversity of LAUSD, and families in the area tend to be a mix of longtime locals and newcomers drawn by the neighborhood's livability. It's a good fit for families who want a public school with real academic footing while staying rooted in one of the Westside's most walkable and community-minded pockets of LA.