R.J. Frank Academy of Marine Science & Engineering

Nestled in Oxnard's coastal community along the Ventura County shoreline, R.J. Frank Academy of Marine Science & Engineering gives middle schoolers a genuinely unique lens through which to experience their education — one rooted in the ocean environment right outside their door. The marine science and engineering focus gives kids a hands-on, career-connected curriculum that goes well beyond a typical 6th-8th grade experience, making it a strong fit for families with kids who are naturally curious about the natural world or drawn to STEM fields. While academic scores sit in the lower-middle range statewide, the school's specialized theme and the tight-knit feel of Oxnard's working-class, heavily Latino community give it a distinct identity that resonates with families looking for something beyond a conventional middle school.