2022 Best Middle Schools in America

St. Mark's School of Texas

• Private School•
• DALLAS, TX•
• 1-12
• •
  Rating 4.68 out of 5  72 reviews

Parent: I have friends who are attending various private and public schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area from grades 5 on through 12. In sitting down with the other dads it is undoubtedly true that no school has done more to prepare post the outbreak of the pandemic then St Mark’s. Not only their children but their administration and teachers are out of this world!...Not only did the school literally review replace hundreds of things across the campus, they’ve also implemented a fantastic screening program, testing program, and communications program for SARS-COVID19...I know that when selecting schools grades, scores and college admissions are the number one priority. I never thought I would pick a school based upon their ability to handle a medical global outbreak...The school has literally blown us away! We are thankful that our son is there and hope that other schools can use them as a benchmark going into the winter of the pandemic.Read 72 Reviews

• grade A+

• 863 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Trinity School

• Private School•
• NEW YORK, NY•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  75 reviews

Junior: My overall school experience has been very positive! The teachers(with 1 or 2 exceptions) and academics have been outstanding so far, and it seems like I can do whatever I put my mind to here. There are plenty of options for clubs, and plenty of motivated students who participate in them. When I first entered the school, I thought a lot of the students would be aloof trust-fund kids. However, for the majority of students, that thankfully doesn't hold true. My only 2 complaints are: 1)the math curriculum, which for me is too repetitive and not challenging enough; and 2)the behavior of the administration(especially during covid), which can be paternalistic at times...Read 75 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,001 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Nueva School

• Private School•
• HILLSBOROUGH, CA•
• PK, K-12
• •
  Rating 4.53 out of 5  60 reviews

Sophomore: Nueva is an amazing school! There are so many opportunities all just waiting for anyone who is motivated. There is a 230+ page course catalog and a wide range of extracurriculars to take your passions to the next level. The students are kind and cool (everyone's smart but not everyone's a nerd). There are fun social events like dances, coffeehouses, musical performances, sports games, spirit rallies, and more! Nueva provides excellent STEM education (humanities as well), and the teachers are genuinely interested in you and want you to succeed...Read 60 Reviews

• grade A+

• 967 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Brearley School

• Private School•
• NEW YORK, NY•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  76 reviews

Parent: Brearley is a top notch, wonderful school! My 8-year-old daughter is thriving, happy and growing leaps and bounds every year. The Brearley community is warm, down to earth and diverse. The administration and the teachers will go above and beyond for your daughter and your family. While it has always been an academic powerhouse, it is also a school that encourages all of it's students to be creative and unique individuals, while learning to embrace Brearley's core values of "honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility and courage." We are lucky to be a part of the Brearley community...Read 76 Reviews

• grade A+

• 768 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Riverdale Country School

• Private School•
• BRONX, NY•
• PK, K-12
• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  61 reviews

Middle School Student: Hello,I now go to Riverdale as a middle school student. I have learned a lot in the process of not only being a Riverdale student but also becoming one. Unlike most other people, I went through the application process and didn't just get here in Kindergarten and stay. The process of taking the ISEE test, going through interviews and writing essays was not only stressful but also tiering. The nice thing about that is that it only took up 1/2 of my fifth grade year, so after that portion of the year, we go to do fun projects because they didn't need to teach us much more. I feel like I got a great education before Riverdale as well. Before coming to Riverdale I went to a small school called Caedmon. At Riverdale, not only is it way bigger and a huge adjustment, it is also a shocker. The fact that a school like this even exists is amazing, let alone it have some of the best teachers in the world. Overall my experience at Riverdale has been really really out of this world amazing...RyanRead 61 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,219 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Castilleja School

• Private School•
• PALO ALTO, CA•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  57 reviews

• grade A+

• 430 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Horace Mann School

• Private School•
• BRONX, NY•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  143 reviews

Alum: Horace Mann has developed to be more diverse, inclusive staff wise in recent years which makes the school experience much better. After recently graduating, I feel that HM has prepared me for the competitive nature of college and working. There are a few things that could have been improved when I was there (like a more diverse teaching staff, putting more focus on racial issues, etc.), but have since been focused and improved on!...Read 143 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,694 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Crystal Springs Uplands School

• Private School•
• HILLSBOROUGH, CA•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: Crystal prepares students for college! The only major downside is that I wish that there was more racial/ethnic diversity. There are only a few African-American students, roughly 5% of the entire school population, and it can be extremely isolating. Additionally, it has also been hard for me due to the fact that I am transitioning to male and as much as the school is trying to support me and understand, I think there is still A LOT of work to be done in regards to supporting LGBT(+) students. ...With that said, the academics are world-class. It definitely gives (and gave) me an advantage in testing, access to higher-level education, study skills, and essay writing. To those who are looking to apply, the biggest advice I would give is: Don't be afraid of the cost. The school gives excellent financial aid to those who truly need it.Read 44 Reviews

• grade A+

• 539 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Collegiate School

• Private School•
• NEW YORK, NY•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  26 reviews

Parent: My son joined Collegiate last Year as a seventh grader. The school is wonderful and it accommodate my son perfectly. The school assigned French and Music teachers for my son for the entire year since he didn’t have French or bass instrument before, at the end of the year he didn’t just catch up with the other kids but he also became proficient in both subjects and we couldn’t ask for more. On the other hand, the school environment and the parents are welcoming. As a family of color our experience of the diversity, inclusion, and belongings was excellent and our son fit perfectly at Collegiate...Read 26 Reviews

• grade A+

• 651 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rye Country Day School

• Private School•
• RYE, NY•
• PK, K-12
• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  97 reviews

Freshman: Rye Country Day School has helped me become a better person and has provided a great academical foundation for years to come. Though it can get stressful, with a lot of homework and extracurricular activities, RCDS is just awesome! The athletics are really good too and everyone is welcoming. There are many options for electives so you can pursue your interests. The food is pretty good too. It is a diverse community and a supportive environment!...Read 97 Reviews

• grade A+

• 938 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ransom Everglades School

• Private School•
• COCONUT GROVE, FL•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  82 reviews

Alum: When someone affiliated with the school tells you it's not a school for everyone, they really mean that. There are very few POC students, but it's been improving slowly in the last few years. Academics are rigorous, and students are known to be competitive. The campus is beautiful, and the pool is incredibly impressive. The administration needs to improve how they handle students' mental health. There was one incident where a student went to the school's guidance counseling to discuss stress and poor mental health. The counselor ended up telling them "maybe this isn't the school for you" rather than helping them or guiding them...Read 82 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,130 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Georgetown Day School

• Private School•
• WASHINGTON, DC•
• PK, K-12
• •
  Rating 4.74 out of 5  50 reviews

Freshman: This is my first year at GDS, and so far it's been amazing! All of my teachers are excellent, the classes are challenging, and I've been learning so much. I've been able to go in person two days a week, which is great, and most of my teachers have been on campus as well. The facilities are nice and modern, the students are interesting, and everyone is really kind. The clubs are well-run, too. I would recommend GDS to anyone who is willing to put in work at school and pay the tuition...Read 50 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,075 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Davidson Academy

• Online School•
• RENO, NV•
• 5-12
• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  70 reviews

Junior: Throughout my years as a student I have been to private, public, magnet, and online schools, but none of those experiences compare to the DA online campus. When I first joined Davidson I was worried. I had been to two other schools just the year before (one magnet and one public) and neither had worked. Not to mention my online school experience was very small as I had only taken a few asynchronous online classes before. But at Davidson, the live sessions were stimulating and engaging, the teachers were invested in my learning, the work was actually interesting, and my peers were amazing!...I’ve made strong friendships and connections throughout my two years. Davidson has helped be become a successful student too. I’d always had trouble taking notes, planning, and studying but DAO has let me create my own strategies for each! The school is meant for gifted kids and it shows in everything they do. Thanks to Davidson I finally feel at home at school...Read 70 Reviews

• grade A+

• 178 Students
• 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Bishop's School

• Private School•
• SAN DIEGO, CA•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  82 reviews

Senior: Bishop's is a good place for self-motivated people to take advantage of the variety of resources. With the Center for Creative Sciences, access to the Adobe suite, and other opportunities, it is easy to discover activities that aren't usually available to high schoolers. There is a campus attitude of pressure to do well, which can be benign if families and students are on the same page of being proud of themselves for their effort vs. always trying to "catch up" with everyone else. For anyone considering going to Bishop's, my advice is to not psych yourself out of a class because a teacher won't give you an A; first of all, that usually isn't true - you just have to put in more effort. Secondly, my favorite classes were the higher level ones in the English and STEM departments (except comp. science). In short, Bishop's is a great place for people who aren't afraid to try new things and take advantage of available resources!...Read 82 Reviews

• grade A+

• 800 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Dalton School

• Private School•
• NEW YORK, NY•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  81 reviews

Senior: While yes, the academics are incredibly rigorous, and Dalton prepares us well for equally rigorous collegiate study, the methods with which certain students achieve in the high-school are often questionable, often downright immoral. 'Tutors' are rampant, brown-nosing is expected and encouraged, and the strict rules against cheating are often selectively enforced. Often success is directly correlated with socio-economic class, and what tier of donor you are. The fact is though, Dalton is almost certainly the least heinous offender of the aforementioned shady business within the private school circle, and the administration is at least attempting to reform itself. So if you are committed to sending your child to an elite/elitist NYC school, Dalton is probably your best option...Read 81 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,322 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lakeside School

• Private School•
• SEATTLE, WA•
• 5-12
• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  103 reviews

Senior: The education was amazing, and the teachers really care about each student's individual progress. There are so many opportunities to explore what you're interested in! Our electives are in-depth and curiosity-nourishing, and are taught by very qualified teachers who are clearly passionate about what they do. There are a million clubs (and ways to create your own club), plenty of sports, and an overall abundance of ways to make lifelong friends. Independent and self-driven students can really thrive here. The only thing I was not a fan of was the college counseling experience around financial aid specifically. I had to figure out how to manage the FAFSA and CSS profiles on my own, and I wish I had had more help picking out affordable schools...Read 103 Reviews

• grade A+

• 838 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Milton Academy

• Private School•
• MILTON, MA•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  137 reviews

Senior: Milton Academy students leverage their top-tier academics to achieve their goals. Whether that be in academics, athletics, the arts, or in social justice, everything these students do is done at the highest caliber. We love to learn and bond through knowledge! I would describe its community as full of social nerds. Milton has provided me with endless opportunities and has expanded my network immensely. Thank you for a wonderful three years so far, Milton. While I’ll be moving onto a new chapter in the next couple years, I know I will always have Milton’s support...Read 137 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,020 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Polytechnic School

• Private School•
• PASADENA, CA•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  104 reviews

Parent: As a parent of current poly students, I can attest to the quality of the teachers, faculty, student body and facilities. Poly is academically rigorous and sets high expectations for its students while providing the scholastic and emotional support needed to ensure every student has an opportunity to succeed. Poly also does an admirable job incorporating character building into their curriculum. Compassion, service, self awareness, diversity,...inclusion, tolerance and integrity are all modeled and reinforced throughout the campus at every grade level. Poly can of course continue to work on its diversity by reaching out to the larger Los Angles community to attract a more broad coalition of students. That said, we could not be happier. Most importantly our children (middle and high school) feel happy, proud, challenged, accepted, supported and seen...Read 104 Reviews

• grade A+

• 872 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sidwell Friends School

• Private School•
• WASHINGTON, DC•
• PK, K-12
• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  67 reviews

Parent: Sidwell has provided my children with an exceptional academic experience emphasizing critical thinking and problem solving, writing and communications, and quantitative reasoning. The workload has been substantial at times, but always enriching and interesting (i.e., rarely if ever busywork) and will fully prepare students for the rigors they'll experience in college and beyond. Moreover, Sidwell has done a great job of developing my children as well informed, highly engaged, and socially conscious citizens. Strongly recommend!...Read 67 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,145 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Pingry School

• Private School•
• BASKING RIDGE, NJ•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  115 reviews

Parent: I have three children at Pingry and each of them loves to go to school! They connect with friends who have a variety of interests, they are engaged in their school work, and each of them has found multiple ways to plug-in and feel part of the community. I have two children who are accomplished athletes who feel supported and challenged and one daughter who likes to participate, they have all found a home on their respective teams. Two of my daughters play an instrument and one sings- they enjoy being able to have multiple interests. Academically, I think they get the right amount of homework and are not overwhelmed by the expectations placed on them. We have a multi-ethnic family and I love that Pingry gives all of my child space and support to explore DEI topics in a safe environment. Pingry is a special place that will challenge and support your child...Read 115 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,175 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Spence School

• Private School•
• NEW YORK, NY•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  28 reviews

Senior: I have gone to Spence my entire life and I am so grateful for that experience! I definitely enjoyed high school the most out of my 13 years there because of the opportunities, teachers, friends and unique learning experience. I feel close to all the staff and administration there and I truly believe that they want to help you succeed...Read 28 Reviews

• grade A+

• 751 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Chapin School

• Private School•
• NEW YORK, NY•
• K-12
• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  84 reviews

Niche User: Chapin from an academic standpoint is excellent. The teachers are dedicated and qualified; they care about their students and are engaged and immersed in the curricula. A highlight of the upper school is their english department, from attending Chapin I have become a better writer and communicator. The academics are rigorous and challenging and the school encourages students to peruse their interests. While the environment is competitive, it is also uplifting and supportive. Students often help each other with work and are always friendly in the hallway. The school is a great place to attend the only problem is the challenging adjustment student have if they transfer. Socially it’s hard to find one’s footing because everyone has known each other for years but despite that I strongly suggest the school. Other than the typical downsides of high school, this is a good school to attend...Read 84 Reviews

• grade A+

• 725 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Overlake School

• Private School•
• REDMOND, WA•
• 5-12
• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  89 reviews

Freshman: It is an amazing experience to go to Overlake! Coming in as a new student, it was amazing how inclusive the students and faculty are. The teachers hold office hours and really want you to succeed. They even write extensive recommendations for outside school projects and applications. The teachers are honestly amazing and the coursework is challenging. For more advanced student they offer Honors and AP classes and the teachers will always push you regardless. The student body is amazing and since the campus is large you meet people from multiple different grades. A wide range of electives, clubs and hangout spots make the Overlake experience one to remember...Read 89 Reviews

• grade A+

• 529 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cranbrook Schools

• Private School•
• BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI•
• PK, K-12
• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  249 reviews

Senior: Cranbrook is an incredible place. I have gone here for the last 13 years, and I can say that it shapes people into fine, polite, astute, grounded young adults. There is constantly the stress by faculty on honesty, and being transparent; overall, the faculty are fantastic. I am on a texting basis with several of my teachers, and I feel like I have known every single one of my teachers here throughout my years very well, and they knew me even better back. Cranbrook is a place to go if you want, or you want your child to thrive and become an all-around intelligent, well-rounded, and organized person. ...It wouldn't be a Cranbrook review without the architecture. I am in a senior aesthetics elective, and we use the art around us as primary resources in our class! There is never a shortage of culture and history surrounding you. The campus, in my opinion, is what separates CK from other places. It's why kids thank the bus drivers or their teachers; it stresses a well-mannered culture...Read 249 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,659 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Newark Academy

• Private School•
• LIVINGSTON, NJ•
• 6-12
• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  122 reviews

Middle School Student: As a student who goes to Newark Academy, there are many things about NA that you won’t find at any other school. This school has an amazing community where students and teachers are able to have a good relationship. The Equity and Inclusion team makes sure that you belong and that others understand you. The arts program is wonderful and has a variety of things for everyone. The academics go beyond the books and are very hands on. I would recommend this school to anyone in the area who cares about their child and wants them to have a good future!...Read 122 Reviews

• grade A+

• 656 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio