2023 Best Charter Middle Schools in the San Diego Area

• La Jolla, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  302 reviews

Senior: My experience here at Preuss has been fantastic. The school provides opportunities for students to participate in many activities after school too and prepare them for university! I also feel like this is a safe space for me and ask teachers for help; teachers here at Preuss really want students to succeed. As a first-gen student, Preuss has done their best to guide me for what to do when applying for universities as a senior and makes sure that all students are on track! Through it's rigorous curriculum, all of these are established this way to make it easier for students by their senior year without having to worry much if they're meeting all the requisites when applying to universities. Student's can view that handwork is paying off in the end.... Read 302 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 848

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Spring Valley, CA•

• Public School•

• 5-8

• grade A

• Students 402

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• El Cajon, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  27 reviews

Parent: We've been a part of LFCS for 11 years. Now all 4 of my kids are in school there and we are so thankful for a safe, consistent learning environment for them. I so appreciate that the school takes a neutral position on any and all political or controversial issues, and instead encourages kids to ask their parents what their family values are. Also, there are regular meetings where parents are encouraged to attend and learn more about the inner workings of the school. And I'm always impressed with the school's financial transparency and fiscal responsibility. They operate within the budget and welcome questions from parents regarding spending. If you're unsure about whether this is the school for you, attend a tour and get informed. They are happy to answer any questions you have!... Read 27 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,862

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Chula Vista, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Arroyo Vista did a wonderful job accepting our kindergarten child. First online and later in hybrid. This year in first grade has been wonderful in-person learning. My child is very motivated to learn.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 944

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A

• Students 249

• Student-teacher ratio 31:1

• Encinitas, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• grade A

• Students 281

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Vista, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  166 reviews

Senior: Guajome has this lovely small school feel to it that has taught me everything in preparation for my future in social life and in college, even beyond that. They give enough resources and plenty of options for unique and rigorus classes that any person would love to experience. The implantations of the IB courses has benefitted me and everyone I've talked with on how it reflects freshman college courses perfectly, but in a way for high school upper classmen to still enjoy their high school years without the stress of living on campus or having to pay for classes. I've been at Guajome since 6th grade in 2016 and I'm a senior now ready to graduate in 2023, and I have to say the best thing about Guajome has been the staff and teachers. They are always very welcoming with issues and the teachers passion for teaching is shown every single day which has motived me to do better and become the person I am today.... Read 166 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,409

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Chula Vista, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A

• Students 879

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: My son wakes up early everyday and excited to go to Magnolia. He is in robotics and archery teams and loves them. School offers free tutoring and clubs after school. They also have a onsite library available for students after school. The teachers at Magnolia are very supportive and caring. I am glad we enrolled our son to Magnolia. We love Magnolia.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 441

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  108 reviews

Senior: The O'Farrell Charter School is a very close-knit oriented community. I have been attending this school since middle school and have never felt harmed or threatened. Due to the small size, it allows more bonding and relationships between staff and students. Teachers and staff overall highly encourage the students to try their best and to aim for the stars. I have created many bonds with multiple of my teachers and they have created a safe space. At O'Farrell, academics are highly favored over sports. O'Farrell makes sure that you graduate with your A-G requirements so that we are college ready. Throughout my years here, I have highly enjoyed the opportunity that O'Farrell provides for their students.... Read 108 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,929

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: The BEST OF THE BEST educational enrichment program in San Diego! For three years, Kavod has been a second family to our son. With their hands on approach, the seasoned administration and staff have armored our son with knowledge, character, social skills, and self-esteem that has spring boarded him towards his current and future success.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 403

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Ever since my daughters joined Museum I noticed so much more enthusiasm towards learning, towards attending in general. They're project-oriented learning style really clicks with the kids, and they seem to know so much about every subject. The staff holds events constantly, which keep the parents participating and aware of the things that happen day to day at school. Their building is not huge, it is not fancy, but what it lacks on modernism, it has it on commitment. We as a family are absolutely in love with this school and would not change it for any other in the SD Unified School District.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 222

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Jamul, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  9 reviews

Senior: This is an excellent school! Staff is friendly and supportive. They know you by name and help you succeed academically. Anyone looking for personalized learning for free with great teachers should attend this homeschool!... Read 9 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 216

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Oceanside, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  12 reviews

Sophomore: Everyone at Coastal academy including both the staff and the students are very inclusive to new people of all sorts. I specifically like how understanding the teachers are at this academy, they demonstrate flexibility while being able to efficiently teach subjects in graspable ways.... Read 12 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,981

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  38 reviews

Junior: The Learning Choice Academy is a charter school which offers K-12 education. I'm currently a junior in high school, and I've been with the school since the second semester of kindergarten. The small class sizes offer a very tight-knit, personal community of students, and many of my friends have been in my grade since middle or even elementary school, although new students are usually able to integrate quite well. As for the educational prospects, the school offers a reasonably good curriculum for elementary and middle schoolers, but the lack of elective classes and clubs in high school is somewhat of a detriment. Aside from that, however, the Learning Choice Academy is a very solid school.... Read 38 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 239

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Escondido, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: The administration and teachers are all incredible, and the education is exemplary! Our family drives 45 minutes to school, and consider it entirely worth it!... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 1,299

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: This school is amazing, with project based learning, community focused energy and friendly staff and kids, we LOVE our school and are so blessed to be a part of it!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 341

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Great administration and teachers! My daughter loves this school especially their Taekwondo program!... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 430

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: The level of care and dedication with which teachers approach their job every day is humbling. Every one of them is passionate about what they do - and it translates into the school’s culture. At HTMMA you feel cared for by all of your teachers. They all make an effort to get to know you, so you never end up feeling like ‘just another kid’. Students have every opportunity to get involved with their community. If you choose to make the most of your HTMMA experience, you’ll have a wonderful time there. And the advanced resources my 8th grade teachers have given me are great. I’ve been learning Algebra 2 - 10th grade level math - as an 8th grader. In short; High Tech Middle Media Arts is a wonderful school. I’ve been in the High Tech system since I was a kindergartner, and my 8th grade year at HTMMA has been the best of them all. If you like experimental, hands-on work, this is a great middle school.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 340

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Vista, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• grade A minus

• Students 698

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• Escondido, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  26 reviews

Alum: I love Dehesa. I still do! Everyone there is so kind. Thinking back on how much trouble I caused, I feel pretty guilty. It's a very unique place! There are coding classes, which is where I first started to code! A coding class is something I've never seen before. And yet, I'm going into ninth grade and I still haven't seen another coding class in the schools I've gone to! I love Dehesa. I've been seeing some negatives for charter schools in the news, and I think they're totally wrong! One of my teachers told me "You'll never know unless you try", so how do the reporters know that charter school is that bad? It's actually better than most in my opinion. I remember theatre play for "Bedtime Stories (As told by our dad who messed them up)". Our dinosaur actor brought in this huge inflatable dino suit! Remembering my role as the sheep and being pulled back and forth warms my heart. I miss California with all of my being. I'm so happy I'll be moving back! I want to go back to Dehesa asap!... Read 26 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 553

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-8

• grade B+

• Students 601

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Escondido, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  32 reviews

Senior: Classical Academy is, in my opinion from being a student, one of the best High Schools (academic wise) in Escondido. All the teachers care deeply about the subject they teach are highly invested in the school spirit as well as contribute to the overall atmosphere of Classical. The one thing about Classical that would make people stray away from attending is the sports department. Because the school is very young, the sports are not as developed compared to those in the area. Although this is something I would personally wish would change about the school, they have done a good job in the past three years for the divisions that some of the sports are in such as Boys and Girls basketball advancing to CIF as well as Swim and Waterpolo for both boys and girls. Baseball and a few others are growing in their coaching and ability. With time, the sports department could also contribute to the greatness of Classical.... Read 32 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,742

• Student-teacher ratio 32:1

• Chula Vista, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  64 reviews

Senior: In my experience having been there since kinder (now a senior in high school) it’s been an amazing 12 years! I love how the teachers make an effort to connect with their students. They make me feel like I have another family and all faculty and staff are very resourceful. They prepare you for college on time and have so many resources on the college application.... Read 64 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,509

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Chula Vista, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  10 reviews

Senior: I really like the size of this High school. Others may say that the school is really small but I think it is great since you are able to know and talk to your teachers and counselors more easily. They have helped each year in growing and teaching us to be prepared for the real world and what it might show us. The schedules and the school campus are easy to understand and it makes school really comfortable. Everyone has good relationships with everyone and they all treat each other with kindness and respect. The elementary school is also a good school since your teachers help you grow and they are have made my elementary school experience stick with me all throughout elementary to High School.... Read 10 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,694

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1