2024 Best Middle Schools in the Phoenix Area

• Paradise Valley, AZ•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  235 reviews

Junior: I love Phoenix Country Day School. I have been going here since 3rd grade, and I am so glad I made the switch from being at public school from K-2nd grade to PCDS. Because we are such a small school (about 70-80 people per grade), you really have opportunities to develop deep relationships with everyone (students, faculty, other staff). I have really made such great connections with every teacher, regardless of whether or not they have actually taught me. The teachers are extremely well-qualified and I love learning from them. They really do make the extra effort to make sure you understand the material, and reach out outside of class to have other conservations not regarding school. The students are also extremely kind, responsible, and caring. I have made such great friends, even starting in middle school, that I will cherish with me past high school. I am so grateful to receive such an amazing education alongside wonderful classmates, taught by incredible teachers.... Read 235 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 768

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  77 reviews

Sophomore: Basis Phoenix is a school that provides challenging coursework with many resources for students to learn and advance individually. They provide a wide selection of electives for students to delve deeper into their areas of interest and offer unique extracurriculars such as an advocacy and astronomy club. This school is just the right fit for students who hope to challenge themselves. However, one thing the school could improve on is its events. For example, having more well-planned award ceremonies and school dances.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 730

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  123 reviews

Senior: My overall experience for this school is fairly positive I feel like every since I entered in fifth grade there have been changes for the better and changes for the worst. Amount of students are fairly larger at the lower grades and they begin to dwindle down as you get into higher grades and the courses become more rigorous and demanding of you. Because of this, all the students that remain are all very competitive with each other which is both good and bad, it helps foster growth and improvement but it also creates an environment that perpetually gatekept by a certain number of students that have just all the top positions and whatever they don’t have they just help their friends get it and this blatant bias is something I don’t unfortunately see going away anytime soon.... Read 123 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,057

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Mesa, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  55 reviews

Senior: Basis Mesa has taught me many things over the past 8 Years. The workload helped me develop tenacity and diligence. I absolutely love the teachers and atmosphere. They never fail to make sure that the students excel at their crafts. From hosting student hours to checking up on the students, the teachers are incredible to work with. Many of my friends I have grown along side with have impeccable characteristics and are very compassionate of others. The facilities at Basis can definitely use some work. I'm pretty sure its because the other Basis Schools are prioritized over our smaller school. I hope that are able to earn more money to aid in providing more extracurriculars. I would like a more diverse curriculum. It would be lovely if the art department had more funding because we have many talented students that love art, theatre, and music. The opportunities that Basis provides are out-matched and I am glad I went to this school.... Read 55 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 808

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 4-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  42 reviews

Junior: I have been a student at Basis Ahwatukee since 2016 and I will be extremely sad to leave this school at my graduation. From elementary, all the way through middle school, and finally in highschool, this school has helped me grow and develop into the person I now am. I am proud to call myself a student at this school. The teachers get to know each and every one of their students so well, keeping up to everyone's individual needs, the curriculum is challenging and brings out the full potential of everyone in class. A sense of unity is built within the students, a sense that every student is in it together, building a strong community within the grade levels. I highly recommend this school and I believe my experience at this school could not ever be surpassed by any other.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 720

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  45 reviews

Parent: Rancho is the best school ever! The teachers are amazing and my kids are growing and learning so much. My daughter used to be super shy, and Rancho's small class sizes have helped her come into her own and shine! I love how challenging the school is, yet the kids don't think it is challenging because it is FUN! So grateful we found this school.... Read 45 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 850

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.65 out of 5  189 reviews

Senior: My experience with Brophy College Preparatory has been nothing short of spectacular. This institution has left an indelible mark on my heart and mind, filling me with an appreciation for knowledge and a passion for excellence. The faculty and staff at Brophy are unparalleled in their dedication to nurturing young minds and preparing them for a lifetime of success. It is with great enthusiasm that I give Brophy College Preparatory an amazing rating, one that reflects the profound impact it has had on my life and the lives of countless others. Bravo, Brophy!... Read 189 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,407

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Chandler, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  74 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, BASIS Chandler was a great school. The teachers were well versed in their subjects in addition to being kind, compassionate, and caring. In academic options, BASIS really excelled. However, I felt that the arts were not given due appreciation. Furthermore, choosing a fine art class often interfered with more academic classes. This left students to choose between an artistic passions, for example, theatre, and taking an AP elective. There could be more funding and support for things that laid outside the realm of academia. Personally, I also felt the rules for students were too strict. BASIS Chandler, after all, does include high school, but we were banned from using phones during lunch, and students were not allowed to text their parents if they were feeling sick. They were supposed to go through the front office. I thought a lot of the rules were unreasonable, especially for high schoolers.... Read 74 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,154

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Peoria, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  85 reviews

Sophomore: BASIS Peoria provides one of the best academic programs in the state, if not the entire country. In the short time I have been at this school, I am very pleased with the academic workload, both in terms of the course rigor and the homework given. There are lots of varieties of clubs, albeit they are mostly academic-based. I would say the extracurriculars are the weak side of the school, as most of them are competitive academic teams. There aren't many sports apart from the main ones that require a gym, but there isn't a swim or a tennis team (both are sports that I play). Most of my extracurriculars I have to pursue outside of school; however, the Speech and Debate team at my school is very strong and in my opinion isn't connected to academics. Finally, the kids are very focused here (especially once they get into high school), as they are focused on college applications but also want to have fun experiences with friends despite being at a small school.... Read 85 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 943

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tempe, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  134 reviews

Senior: I attended TPA from grades 6-12 and loved it! It prepared me for college and guided me through the application process, helping me find success. On top of this, my time at TPA built long-lasting friendships and I always felt supported by a strong community.... Read 134 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 447

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  80 reviews

Alum: My experience at Scottsdale Preparatory Academy was excellent. Both the students and teachers there are great and are always able to provide support whenever it is needed. The rigorous nature of this school's liberal arts education was, by far, the most challenging aspect of my experience at this school, yet it was instrumental in maturing my mind, body, and spirit. Additionally, this school prepares you outstandingly for university education through its difficult curriculum and overall structure. If I had to change anything, I would allow students greater opportunities to focus on athletics, extracurriculars, and professional jobs outside of school through decreasing the work load.... Read 80 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 851

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chandler, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  93 reviews

Sophomore: Chandler Prep is an amazing school that I believe offers academics and college prep you can find in Arizona. Although the curriculum is more advanced, the smaller class sizes, diverse tutoring schedules, and mixed teaching styles ensure that every student has an opportunity for success. Chandler Prep is strong academically, however, it lacks many "classic" high school aspects. By that I mean dances are small and low-budget, minimal varieties for clubs or electives and no-cut sports teams. Chandler Prep students will be academically strong and prepared for anything the future holds for them, however, they will miss out on many of the experiences that made high school so memorable.... Read 93 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 694

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Mesa, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-7

• grade A+

• Students 252

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  46 reviews

Junior: ACA is a constantly improving and expanding school. There are pros and cons to its education, but overall, I believe it was best that I went here. Islamic education is vitally important. The Quran classes have especially improved from before, with middle and high school being taught based on skill level rather than grade. Arabic could use improvements for non-Arab speakers, along with more programs, but it is improving. Islamic Studies really depends, and a lot of the benefits come from whether the student pays attention or not, in my opinion. The other basic subjects, like Math and English, are just ordinary. Better than public schools, but perhaps lacking compared to other preparatory schools. Clubs and bonus hours are not too great, but considering the size of the school, I feel like that's acceptable. The environment depends on your stance. Personally, I did not hate or like it. I can't comment.... Read 46 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 366

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  22 reviews

Junior: AMAZING SCHOOL! The teachers work 1-on-1 with all students and truly care about them. After 10th grade, students have flexibility in choosing the classes to take to help them become stronger in specific fields. Math course pacing is student-run, meaning that kids can retake classes or accelerate through courses as fast as they like. Students are kind and inclusive and the building is beautiful.... Read 22 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 103

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Gilbert, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  80 reviews

Senior: I love how with this curriculum, we are able to learn more about the “why” behind things. This is present in almost every class, examples being the socratic seminars we have, or the way we go about learning math through exeter, and the labs we do in science, etc. This allows us to grasp a deeper and more meaningful understanding of various topics. And we are also able to establish a better relationship with our teachers because of it, but also due to the small class sizes and which teachers they hire. I just wish we had more opportunities to chose which classes we can take as well as a greater variety of classes to chose from.... Read 80 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 550

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  4 reviews

Junior: I'm an International Student from Russia and Bella Vista College Preparatory gave me an amazing opportunity to try American education. This school gave me a good athletic scholarship and introduced me with all the details of the American system of education. This school is the first school in Arizona that won a Chick-Fil-A Basketball Tournament. What the difference between the usual public school and Bella Vista? Bella Vista is like a big family, where everyone ready to help you, it could be a math problem and it also could be a support with the problem outside the school. Education is hard but balanced, which for me, as an athlete, is important. Bella Vista is an excellent school for preparing for college.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 89

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  10 reviews

Parent: This school has been incredible for our children! The small class sizes allow the teachers to be able to focus on individual needs and provide an education I haven't seen elsewhere. The teachers actually care about their students and put an unbelievable amount of effort into their curriculum. We have been so impressed with everything our children have learned in this environment. The students are respectful of each other, the staff and they are very comfortable being themselves here. Love this place!... Read 10 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 145

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tempe, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: CEE has been a wonderful school for my children. Its a diverse school where the culture is inclusion and classmates are supportive and kind. They cater to all skill levels and allow a child to do accelerated work if they are needing more of a challenge than what is offered at their grade level. The teachers have been really wonderful and my kids are thriving here. We transferred from a district school where bullying was a problem and the district school would not help the situation. Now at CEE for 3 years, my children feel safe, supported, and are happy kids who love to attend school each day.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 312

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: I have a Preschooler and a Kindergartner at Valley Academy. The preschool program prepared both of my kids for kindergarten very well. They were both reading small words by the beginning on kinder and fluently by winter break. The teachers are very responsive and kept me informed with my child’s progress.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 685

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  74 reviews

Parent: Our son is in his first year at Veritas in 9th grade and he has attended the school for a month and a half. I can say at this time with certainty that this is truly an excellent school. Great communication with teachers and the school at large. We have received helpful feedback from all of this teachers. I can attest the teachers he has are all top-notch as in early September we attended a parents night where we went through his schedule as if we were our son. We had twenty minute classes with each teacher with parents of other students in the classroom. Without exception all five of his teachers are very engaging, organized, and know what they are doing.... Read 74 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 792

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Peoria, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  75 reviews

Alum: I liked that the graduating class was small. It was like extremely small like 50 people small. I think I would have been bullied or simply have anxiety attacks all of the time at a normal public school. Every student in my class was in my grade which is convenient for befriending people in your graduating class. Though, I would like to see change in the amount of whitewashing there is. They sort of avoid the whole Black rights movement thing while addressing similar problems in the PAST history of the United States.... Read 75 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 593

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  80 reviews

Parent: Anthem Prep is great for many reasons....class size, leading to individual attention. The structure of the teaching including the classic model/socratic learning is refreshing in this day. They really focus on education, ..all the other distractions are kept at bay. Keeps kids focused on what they are there for...getting an education!... Read 80 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,022

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Mesa, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  13 reviews

Parent: The academic foundation provided to SDA students is exceptional. The students are well prepared for high school and beyond. My daughter attended SDA since Kindergarten. Her transition to high school went well because of the academic foundation and organizational and study skills provided to her by SDA teachers and staff. Also, through the after school club program, she developed a love for dance. Her love of dance has continued in high school too. We have such fond memories of her time at SDA!... Read 13 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 422

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Goodyear, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  10 reviews

Senior: I have been at BASIS Goodyear since it first opened in 2015, and I will be graduating from it in 2023. Although the number of students is quite small compared to other high schools, it easily creates a sense of community. The small school size allows students to develop close relationships with many of their peers, other grade levels, and teachers. In addition, the high school curriculum is very effective in preparing students for college. Students are able to develop their writing skills through research papers and college-level essays, and students also have the opportunity to do college-level labs. While BASIS Goodyear does very well in its academics, it is lacking in extracurriculars due to its small size. The school could also improve its communication with students about things like upcoming events, changes in plans, etc.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 269

• Student-teacher ratio —