2023 Best Middle Schools in America

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  76 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 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,001

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Dallas, TX•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• •
  Rating 4.68 out of 5  76 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 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 911

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.55 out of 5  66 reviews

Freshman: I love it here! I have never been more supported at school. There's tutorials, teachers are always flexible to meet anytime. You can email, sign up on calendly, or find them anytime at their desk. There is also WRC writing tutoring support as well as student peer tutors in all kinds of subjects. It's really just a safe environment where you feel comfortable talking to anyone of all ages, whether it's the college counselor, admissions officers, or cracking jokes with the head of school. And I'm excited that trips this year are out of state again!... Read 66 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 853

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  68 reviews

Parent: I am parent whose children attend Riverdale Country School. The River Campus is such a warm and welcoming space for the younger children. At the Lower School, they create an environment where children are encouraged to explore and experiment, appreciate nature, and develop a true love of learning. My children enjoy school and are excited to attend everyday - as a parent, that means the world to me. My eldest child is now on the Hill Campus. The Upper School, offers students a challenging academic environment and many opportunities to get involved in their school community. I have found the teachers to be supportive yet have high expectations and encourage the students to reach their full potential. Our entire family has found community at Riverdale, it is truly an incredible place.... Read 68 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,273

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  78 reviews

Parent: My daughter has been at Brearley since kindergarten and we have had a wonderful experience throughout the years. She is now in high school and I can say that Brearley has really helped her develop academically as well as socially. The academics ramps up dramatically in upper school but the school generally prepares the students well in middle school to handle the increased workload. Because the classes are fairly small, the students develop a sense of agency about their own learning and by high school they are very adept at exploring their own interests and engaging with the teachers. Finally, I cannot say enough good things about how Brearley handled COVID. Brearley was one of the first private schools to return to in-person classes and they were incredible about following all available guidance. It made a world of difference this past year for my daughter to at least be able to go to class with other girls in her grade. We feel lucky to be a Brearley family!... Read 78 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 772

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  47 reviews

Freshman: Crystal has been one of the best schools I've ever been to! They have excellent teachers that are always there to help you, the academics are advanced and are made to put you one step ahead of everyone else. If you can come here, do it. It's an experience you won't regret.... Read 47 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 569

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  59 reviews

Parent: Great school with wonderful teachers, curriculum and leadership. Some classes can be challenging but teachers are there to support student learning and growth!... Read 59 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 416

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Reno, NV•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  72 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 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 165

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  148 reviews

Alum: The school is excellent in every regard except for the student culture. Everyone is extremely nice and there haven't been any problems with bullying, but it comes at the cost of near complete grade-centrism. Grades are so important that, in many cases, comprehension and enjoyment of the subject falls second. It creates tension and competition, and I'm pretty sure the stress took more than a few years off my life. Still, I've loved attending here and from my parent's perspective, the administration was unbelievably organized and generally very responsive to issues. Also, if you're interested in engineering like I was during high school, there were only two classes with engineering in the name. To make up I joined one of the (several) robotics teams and took all the math, physics and compsci classes I could, which were excellent, but it's a noticeable hole in the school's diverse curriculum.... Read 148 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,802

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Basking Ridge, NJ•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  143 reviews

Sophomore: At the Pingry School, everyone can find their place. Whether it is the plethora of student interest clubs, diverse student body, the openness and willingness of the teachers to help at every turn, or just the smile on everyone's faces in the morning, it really is a joy to be a member of the Pingry Community. The level of trust and camaraderie among the community is unparalleled, and Pingry really sticks to the tenets of its Honor Code. But there really is no better way to experience the Pingry Community than to come see it for yourself!... Read 143 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,197

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  30 reviews

Alum: Coming in the eighth grade from public school in Greenwich Ct it was a bit of a shock. But the five years there were better experience than college. And it was a personal heaven for me in a big city. I don’t contribute to many requesters but there is always enough for Collegiate School. If I had son again and lived in NYC, that where he would go. As the song goes “…to Collegiate always be true.” Jack Anthony ‘64... Read 30 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 651

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.62 out of 5  98 reviews

Junior: Girls at Sacred Heart are friendly and supportive. There are some cliques that form but the majority of people are welcoming. Sacred Heart has also worked to increase diversity over the past several years, so I have a great group of diverse friends. There are also a lot of clubs and athletics to join which makes it easy to make friends. Sacred Heart is a catholic school and they do emphasize service and the school goals, which focus on personal responsibility and having the self confidence to make good decisions. The academics are strong, so there is a lot of homework, which can be a challenge. If I were to change one thing it would be for the administration to be more receptive and responsive to the student government. But, my time at Sacred Heart has been incredible and I will miss it when I graduate!... Read 98 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 699

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  88 reviews

Parent: My son will be graduating in a few weeks from The Bishop’s School. It’s definitely an academically challenging school, but that’s what my son loved about it the most. He came from public school that didn’t challenge him enough and had teachers that barely knew the students. At Bishop’s, he received quality education, a lot of one-on-one interaction with teachers that cared, and he took advantage of everything the school offered. We are not rich and it was a financial sacrifice for us to send him there, but it was worth every penny. He always tells us it is the best decision he ever made. He also had a chance to play sports and had coaches that truly cared about him as a whole, on and off the court. The only thing I wish I knew before matriculating at Bishop’s is that your chances of getting into top UC schools dramatically decreases because most of the kids at Bishop’s are highly intelligent and top UCs can only accept a small %. They have better chances going to top private colleges.... Read 88 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 800

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Coconut Grove, FL•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  91 reviews

Junior: Attending an academically rigorous school has been quite challenging, to say the least. The constant pressure to excel in all subjects while maintaining a high GPA has caused many students, including myself, to experience burnout. However, despite the struggles, I must admit that this school provides a well-rounded education that prepares us for the future. From advanced mathematics and science courses to engaging humanities classes, the curriculum is robust and comprehensive. In addition, the school offers numerous extracurricular activities, such as sports teams, music ensembles, and clubs, allowing students to pursue their interests outside of academics. Overall, while the workload can be overwhelming at times, I am grateful for the knowledge and skills that I have gained from this academically rigorous school.... Read 91 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,141

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.83 out of 5  52 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 52 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,075

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Livingston, NJ•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  128 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 128 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 674

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  165 reviews

Alum: I attended Harker from Kindergarten through High School. Harker's repute as a powerhouse of intense and thorough academics is well-earned– students are constantly challenged in the classroom. However, this academic rigor does not come at the cost of a full-fledged extracurricular experience. Harker's many extracurricular departments provide an all-encompassing vocational education that seamlessly accompanies students' academic experience, including athletics, arts, journalism, engineering, and much more. Unfortunately, while Harker's culture encourages growth and self-improvement, it lacks support for students' mental and physical health. Students often prioritize their academic work above other important aspects of life, such as sleep, health, and socializing, and this culture often contributes to burnout and mental health problems. Overall, if you are searching for a school that will exceedingly prepare you for college and beyond, I recommend Harker with confidence.... Read 165 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,972

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Pasadena, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  107 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 107 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 872

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  30 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 30 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 751

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  72 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 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,145

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: My daughter has had an outstanding high school experience at Head-Royce - I can't imagine a better school for her. I remember thinking, at my initial parent tour, what a remarkably smart, involved, caring, switched on group of adults running this school and inspiring and supporting the kids - this first impression was spot on. The teachers, administrators, deans, advisors, counselors, librarians, etc are superb. The overall vibe of the kids seems great too - lively and fun but also really bright, hardworking and engaged. Go Jayhawks!... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 900

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  107 reviews

Sophomore: Most of the rumors and stereotypes you hear about this school and its students are true -- one reviewer mentioned the school's reputation as a pressure cooker and I could not agree more. Homework load is roughly a couple hours a day depending on your classes. As expected, the academic rigor is far greater than the average public school, however things are not perfect. Administration is thoughtful and seems to provide teachers with adequate support, but you'll begin to notice that student sentiment is sometimes disregarded, no matter how popular the idea is. Students are incredibly competitive as expected, and the school takes any sort of cheating incredibly seriously. Teachers can be quite accomodating, but it varies. You'll notice that friend groups are primarily based around race, with a few exceptions. In short -- almost the dream school for academics, and pretty average in the social scene.... Read 107 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 876

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Milton, MA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  148 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 148 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,020

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Dublin, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  173 reviews

Parent: QLS has been a unique place for my kids to grow academically. We have been at the school since QLS Pre-school. QLS admin and teachers did a stellar job during the pandemic closures by coordinating to reopen via transition to online classes without skipping a beat! A large part of our local community took notice of this as, many schools were closed or only partially open and we felt very proud to be a part of a well functioning school- the Quarry Lane School. Our oldest graduated and is attending an Ivy League school and younger one in middle school. I feel confident that QLS is preparing students to be successful young adults academically, teaching them critical thinking skills and being emotionally resilient. The school has grown and become more robust over time with supportive Academia, STEM clubs, Theater and the Arts, and a solid growing Sports department.... Read 173 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 850

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Rye, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  100 reviews

Parent: All around great experience. Very flexible curriculum that allows you to do as much as you want, teachers were fantastic and encouraged seeking help as well as enthusiastically supported independent studies. Supportive peers even when there could have been competition - we did not have any issues where kids were being privileged brats - but our child was academically focused and had a close knit group of 25+ students who studied, played sports, pursued other interests and didn’t really party heavily. Has increasingly become more diverse and celebrates diversity in a genuine manner and our child felt empowered to represent our culture and heritage. College counseling was above and beyond any expectations we had - the level of effort and support was incredible and overall outcomes also seem to be pretty strong.... Read 100 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 951

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1