2024 Best Middle Schools in the Albany Area

• Albany, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  79 reviews

Alum: The faculty is what makes this school what it is. I plan on teaching and my inspiration came from multiple teachers and advisors during my time at Academy. The staff is uber dedicated to their craft and truly are more than just teachers, but professionals when it comes to the development of their students into strong, independent, and competent young men and women. It's a college prep school to the finest degree, I found that once I graduated and started my freshman year I was almost overprepared for college academics. I can't say for sure how I believe the merging of the boy's and girl's schools is going to look in its final form (they were beginning to integrate them as I was finishing up); I'm certain the culture is going to see some changes but I can only imagine that they will be for the better. Having both participated in athletics and performing arts, I can say that both departments are excellent and worthwhile extracurriculars which helped define my days in high school.... Read 79 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 701

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Rensselaer, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  46 reviews

Parent: Doane Stuart School has a reputation for academic excellence, with a challenging curriculum that prepares students for college and beyond. The school offers a wide range of academic programs, including college in the High School, and has a low student-to-teacher ratio, which allows for individualized attention and support. Doane Stuart School also places a strong emphasis on community, with a welcoming and inclusive environment that fosters close relationships among students, faculty, and families. The school encourages students to become active and engaged members of their communities through service-learning and extracurricular activities. My two boys attend Doane Stuart and love the school, the teachers, and the community. It truly is a place of academic excellence! The combination of academic excellence and a strong sense of community is what sets Doane Stuart School apart as one of the best schools in the capital district.... Read 46 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 200

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Troy, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  38 reviews

Parent: Redemption Christian Academy (RCA) is an amazing school. My Son, Devan Quinson Suggs, was Valedictorian for the class of 2013. RCA’s stellar academic programs alongside partnerships with area colleges enabled Devan to earn 13 college credits through the College While In High School Program. Faculty not only push students to excel, but they also stand with them shoulder-to-shoulder to provide the support that brings out their very best. Because of RCA’s undying commitment, Devan achieved a bushel of academic awards and scholarships. He was the recipient of the prestigious Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship and was awarded a full academic scholarship to attend Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Most importantly, the faculty’s focus on spiritual and character development fostered servitude and leadership. As a result of RCA's dedication to its students, many will continue to benefit from this excellent academic institution where all are provided an opportunity to succeed!... Read 38 reviews

• grade A

• Students 100

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Mechanicville, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Senior: Absolutely love the school. Very friendly faculty and students, very good learning environment. Highly recommend.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 90

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Niskayuna Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: I love this school. The teachers are amazing and make me feel safe and welcome. There are several teachers who have us have real discussions during class, whether it's about the topic or not and that makes me feel like I belong. It makes me feel like I can go to them when I need something. Everyday I go to school and I can see the teachers and staff doing their best to make everyone feel safe, make them feel welcome, and make Iroquois an enjoyable space to be in.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 557

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Bethlehem Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 1 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• Students 952

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• North Colonie Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• grade A

• Students 1,420

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Albany, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  59 reviews

Alum: Holy Names not only provides a great education, but it teaches our daughters how to be strong women. Stepping through the doors of Holy Names creates opportunity for other doors to open in the future!... Read 59 reviews

• grade A

• Students 218

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• East Greenbush Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Fine. Class structure and format should be reviewed as students generally coast through coursework, shown by the >75% that make honor roll. Kids are not really respected for the small adults they are becoming and instead are given an overly structured environment with a low bar to success, breeding boredom and frustration. Teachers average ok but run a huge range of unacceptable to good. None of my 3 children ever found a teacher that they would call awesome. Clubs are often too big to add value. Facilities are also very dated.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 939

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Niskayuna Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Senior: A great middle school. Very small, so there is a feel of community. The teachers are all very nice and caring.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 421

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Shenendehowa Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• grade A

• Students 729

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Shenendehowa Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• grade A minus

• Students 766

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Senior: I don't think "Diversity" should be a priority. The priority should be getting as many students and improving them academically and improving their home life too.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 714

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Voorheesville Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Middle School Student: This school is Great! I currently go here and I love the teachers and opportunities we are given to grow and learn more. The cute little town of Voorheesville is great for kids to play, and adults to make friends. I couldn't ask for a better way to learn and make friends then going to this school. If you are looking for a nice place to live with good schools, this is the right place for you.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 263

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Shenendehowa Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• grade A minus

• Students 750

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Loudonville, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  58 reviews

Parent: As a parent, choosing LCS was one of the best decisions we ever made with our two kids. They loved their time at LCS with our only regret not starting them there since kindergarten or Pre-K. There are so many positives that I will run out of space in this review. It is a school where the teachers and administration truly care about the students and their families. The academics are strong with an emphasis on challenging the students to think analytically and to truly learn a subject. The students have the opportunity to take college credit classes which has allowed both of our kids to start college academically as sophomores which is a big financial incentive! The Christian worldview teaching matches with our worldview which was a must for any private school for our family. The opportunity to be part of extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, music and drama all contribute to a well rounded student. Many of these activities are only for the top 1% at large schools.... Read 58 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 201

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Guilderland Central School District, NY•

• 6-9

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: Everything in that school is perfect. there is nothing to change, like they good chrome books, good teachers, and everything.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,112

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Saratoga Springs City School District, NY•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 1 out of 5  1 review

• grade B+

• Students 1,399

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Scotia, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  68 reviews

Parent: The decision to send our children to Mekeel was one of the best decisions we made as parents. From the moment they walked into the school they became family. Teachers here not only care for their students academics, but care for seeing them develop into strong young men and women who will do great things in their community and world. Both of our children were able to graduate with enough college credits to start as sophomores, thanks to the dual enrollment program. We never felt that our children "missed out" on anything, in fact, we believe they were able to achieve and experience more here than they would have elsewhere. Mekeel is not perfect, there is no perfect school. It IS however a great community for students to grow and learn in.... Read 68 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 291

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Schenectady, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  62 reviews

Senior: I've attended NDBG for the last 3 and a half years. It's a good solid private school in the City of Schenectady, New York. My parents chose this school because, we live in the City of Albany and under no circumstances would my parents allow me to attend the Albany City School for a variety of reasons. I like the small class sizes of the NDBG and the close interaction we have with the faculty and administration. I believe my school is providing me with a solid foundation as I transition to college in the fall of 2023. On the minus side, I think NDBG is in need of renovations to its physical plant, (roof, bathrooms, heating system and insulation). The school building is over 50 years old, and it needs an upgrade in many areas. I also believe the NDBG needs to reach out more to the local and state government, as well as he community to help the school with its capital needs. This does include any to do with religious instruction, just basic physical plant improvements.... Read 62 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 230

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Albany, NY•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.53 out of 5  36 reviews

Junior: When I first started at cba, I was nervous that because of the uniforms, and an all boy, military, and religious environment I would miss out on key “high school highlights” that would happen anywhere else. But now looking back on to the years as a cba brother and now looking to become a senior and staff officer in the brigade I’ve realized that cba was the school that provided me great experiences that surpassed my expectations of what I could accomplish in high school. For starters the academic environment is great as the low class sizes make it easier to focus. Another thing about academics is that someone will always be pushing you to do better whether it’s a classmate or a teacher. This school also has a great college preparation program where it guarantees kids good colleges if they’re dedicated to do so. And when it comes to sports and culture we have the best sports teams in section 2 and a school culture that encourages achievements that couldn’t be reached prior.... Read 36 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 540

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Troy, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  48 reviews

Senior: My experience at La Salle Institute saved my life. I was in a bad academic situation, and due to the support of the teachers, and the resources provided; I was able to get myself out of that hole, and get myself into a good school.... Read 48 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 533

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• South Colonie Central School District, NY•

• 5-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: I think that Lisha Kill Middle School is a very great school. The teachers try very hard to teach as much as they can with the time they have. I think that there needs to be like 2 or 3 more after school clubs and activities and stuff. Also, the food. It was good in 2013, 2014, and 2015. But in 2016 and 2017, it started to go downhill. Another good thing is safety. The school works really hard to try to keep us safe, and they do a good job on it. They have D.A.R.E. which is like a 5th and 6ht grade program that teaches kids about drugs. Well, I think I should conclude this, but, I highly recommend people to go to Lisha Kill Middle School. It is a very great middle school to go to for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. You will truly have an unforgettable experience.... Read 1 review

• grade B+

• Students 611

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• South Colonie Central School District, NY•

• 5-8

• •
  Rating 2 out of 5  1 review

• grade B+

• Students 852

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Averill Park Central School District, NY•

• 6-8

• grade B+

• Students 584

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1