Rio del Norte

Rio del Norte sits in Oxnard's newer north end, where the city starts to blend into the open agricultural stretches of Ventura County — a quieter corner than Oxnard's busier coastal neighborhoods. The school serves a community where many families are working hard and building roots, and while test scores reflect some real academic challenges, the school is part of a small district that tends to feel more personal than the larger districts nearby. Families drawn to a tight-knit elementary experience in an area with relatively affordable housing compared to the rest of Ventura County may find it worth a closer look, especially if they're planning to stay involved in their child's education.