And if you're a local parent looking for middle school options, you're going to want to hear this story.

Because this isn't just about a school getting back on its feet. It's about a community deciding to show up, roll up their sleeves, and reclaim a gem that was always there, just waiting for families to come back home.

For a long time MDM had a bit of an “avoid at all costs” reputation. Like so many schools, Marina del Rey Middle School took some serious hits during COVID. Many families moved away from the area (hello, LA exodus). Teachers left. Bus routes that used to bring magnet students from across the district? Changed. Gone. The school that once buzzed with energy suddenly felt... quieter. Smaller, and a little forgotten.

And then there were some admin challenges that made things rockier. The community started to disengage. Enrollment dropped. Programs shrank. It became one of those situations where parents would drive past and think, "Is that school even still open?"

Spoiler: It was. And it still is. But now? It's thriving.

This is where the parents come in, because of course they do. A group of determined local families decided they weren't going to let this school fade into the background. They formed Friends of Marina Middle (FOMM), a parent-led organization laser-focused on one mission: reconnect the community and get local families back through those doors.

In FOMM's first year alone, Marina Middle saw a 53% enrollment increase. That's parents visiting, falling in love with what they see, and signing their kids up. That's word of mouth. That's trust being rebuilt, one family at a time.

The energy has shifted. The school feels alive again. It's the kind of comeback story that makes you want to root for the underdog, and then actually send your kid there.

If you're picturing a struggling school barely holding it together, let me stop you right there. Recent parent tours paint a completely different picture: caring staff, happy kids, and facilities that would make you do a double-take.

First off, Marina Middle's campus is impressive:

This isn't bare-bones. This isn't "making do." This is a campus with resources, space, and serious potential.

Here's where Marina Middle really shines: experiential learning. The kids aren't just sitting in classrooms all day. They're out in the world.

Walking field trips along Ballona Creek to the beach? Yep. Boat trips to go whale watching? Also yes. This is a school that takes full advantage of being in Marina del Rey: one of the most beautiful, nature-rich pockets of LA.

And let's be real: middle schoolers need to move, explore, and connect with the world outside four walls. Marina Middle gets that.

And the incoming class is doing the heavy lifting in the best way—there’s a massive 6th-grade class of ~140 students, nearly double the ~70 in 7th grade and ~80 in 8th. That surge is the real proof the “Marina Comeback” isn’t just talk… it’s actually happening.

When a recent tour group sat down with a large group of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, here's what they found: articulate, genuinely excited kids who spoke openly about loving their school. Not the rehearsed stuff. Not the kids who were told to behave for visitors. Just... happy, engaged middle schoolers who felt seen and supported.

The staff? Super caring. The kind of teachers who know every kid's name, notice when someone's having an off day, and celebrate the wins: big and small.

The energy across the board is: We're ready. We're here. We're going to make this an amazing option for local and magnet families alike.

And here's the thing about being small right now: it means your kid gets more attention, more opportunities to try new things, and more space to figure out who they are. It's intimate in the best possible way.

If you live in Marina del Rey, Mar Vista, Playa Vista, Venice, or anywhere on the Westside and found that other middle schools (looking at you, Mark Twain) are full, waitlisted, or impossible to get into, you need to take a look at MDM. The fact that it's bouncing back is huge—it's the local alternative we've all been waiting for.

Let's not gloss over the fact that there were real challenges in the past. Parents had legitimate concerns about leadership and communication. But here's the update: the school has moved forward. New energy, new focus, and a community that's actively invested in making sure the school succeeds.

FOMM is keeping lines of communication open, advocating for families, and working hand-in-hand with the school to ensure trust is rebuilt and maintained. That's not lip service. That's parents showing up to meetings, organizing events, and holding everyone accountable.

It's not perfect (what school is?), but it's heading in the right direction. And momentum matters.

"I went in skeptical and left genuinely excited. The staff was warm, the kids were happy, and the facilities blew me away. This is not the school I remembered from a few years ago."
- Local Parent, Recent Tour

"We needed a neighborhood option, and Marina Middle is stepping up in a big way. My kid loves the robotics program and the whale watching trips are just... chef's kiss."
- FOMM Member

If you're even remotely considering Marina Middle, do yourself a favor and schedule a tour. See the campus. Meet the staff. Talk to the kids. You'll get a much better sense of the vibe than any article can give you.

👉 Visit the school's website: marinareyms.lausd.org
👉 Connect with Friends of Marina Middle to learn about upcoming events and tours [email protected] or join the WhatsApp group:

👉 Keep an eye on the Venice Rising calendar for community events and school info sessions

And honestly? Even if you're not sure yet, just go. You might be surprised. You might leave thinking, "Wait, why didn't I know about this sooner?"

Marina del Rey Middle School is not the struggling school it was a few years ago. It's a school in the middle of a genuine, parent-powered comeback: and it deserves a second look (or maybe a first look, if you've been sleeping on it).

With caring staff, incredible facilities, experiential learning that takes full advantage of the Westside's natural beauty, and a growing, enthusiastic community, Marina Middle is exactly the kind of local option families have been asking for.

The question isn't "Is this school good enough?" anymore.

The question is: Are you ready to be part of the comeback?

Because this school? It's ready for you.

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