2020 Best Public Middle Schools in the Los Angeles AreaAbout this List

Riverside STEM Academy

• Riverside Unified School District, CA
• 5-12
• 29 reviews

Senior: I've enjoyed my experience at Riverside STEM Academy. I've been here since seventh grade, and I quite enjoy the smaller overall class sizes as it gives more time to connect to classmates as well as teachers. The teachers are nice, and I enjoy what I learn. However, sometimes- because the school is a bit insular- I feel like the administration and staff get caught up in the idea of being 'special' or 'exceptional'. While that isn't a bad thing, it leads them to sometimes skip over basic explanations in order to do far-fetched problems without any guidance. It is just sometimes very disorganized. Overall, my experience has been average to positive.
Read 29 Reviews

• A+

• 641 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Huntington Middle School

• San Marino Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 13 reviews

Parent: This middle school has prepared my child. I have had no issue with teachers. They expect high quality work and expect responsibility from the students. The administration has good communication with parents and keeps them informed of what is happening at the school on a constant basis. The faculty/staff provide multiple opportunities for positive extra curricular activities. I see the school is focused on providing a positive productive learning environment which is supported by the community. There are also many opportunities for parents to become informed about dangers and pressures middle school students face, and are also given various strategies and resources for helping their middle school students.
Read 13 Reviews

• A+

• 759 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Foothills Middle School

• Arcadia Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 9 reviews

Middle School Student: Too good, no bullying, everything is good( the lunch line is always toooooooooo long!) Teachers are nice!
There is only one teacher for the whole music program(Band and orchestra)
Read 9 Reviews

• A+

• 742 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

South Pasadena Middle School

• South Pasadena Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 3 reviews

Middle School Student: It is a very diverse and warm environment. Everyone always seems happy. The teachers do a great job teaching and everyone seems to know each other.
Read 3 Reviews

• A+

• 1,166 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rancho San Joaquin Middle School

• Irvine Unified School District, CA
• 7-8
• 3 reviews

Junior: Rancho Middle School had an amazing learning environment with teacher who really cared about their students and helped make classes fun and engaging. Although, like every middle school, there was a lot of drama and complaining, the teachers and staff really made sure that students learned important life lessons and gave ample opportunity for students to express themselves through music, art, and academics.
Read 3 Reviews

• A+

• 863 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lakeside Middle School

• Irvine Unified School District, CA
• 7-8
• 2 reviews

Niche User: Good diversity, range of electives which was good. Classes are well balanced with student diversity. Most teachers are nice and helpful for students and parents.
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• 711 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Richard Henry Dana Middle School

• Arcadia Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 2 reviews

Middle School Student: Dana was amazing! The teachers there help me grow a lot and they are excellent. It’s very clean and safe there. It’s full of amazing people, though they could change a few teachers.
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• 728 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sharon Christa McAuliffe Middle School

• Los Alamitos Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 6 reviews

Niche User: There are many good and bad teachers at McAuliffe. Vaping is very prevalent and there is not much to prevent it.
Read 6 Reviews

• A+

• 1,254 Students
• 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Manhattan Beach Middle School

• Manhattan Beach Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 18 reviews

Parent: The academics at MBMS are first rate. The 6th grade students are transitioning into the school from grammar school, so the workload is lighter, and there is an emphasis on their social as well as academic performances at school. In 7th grade, the students are transferring 7 classes - by then they have learned how to be organized, and their comfort levels are much greater. 8th grade is very rigorous and challenging. Teachers are preparing their students for the next step- high school. Many classes have cumulative final exams at the end of the school year. These kids have to work (hard) for good grades. For those students that are at a higher academic level - there are classes available to them to challenge them. For instance, MBMS has a geometry class, which is unique. The ipad program introduces many students to technology - which is our future.
Read 18 Reviews

• A+

• 1,467 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ridgecrest Intermediate School

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 1 review

Middle School Student: Smh...its pretty good...I mean all the kids are Asian 85 and 14 percent white 1 percent black...I mean the teachers are decent at least most, there are 2 which I dont think teach well....Yeah...that's all...
Read 1 Review

• A+

• 912 Students
• 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Jeffrey Trail Middle School

• Irvine Unified School District, CA
• 7-8
• 5 reviews

Alum: Jeffery Trail was an amazing school! It gave me so many opportunities and really prepared me for high school. However the control over student-student conflict could be improved.
Read 5 Reviews

• A+

• 1,068 Students
• 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Palos Verdes Intermediate School

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 1 review

• A+

• 916 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Venado Middle School

• Irvine Unified School District, CA
• 7-8
• 1 review

• A+

• 658 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Vista Verde

• Irvine Unified School District, CA
• K-8
• 3 reviews

Middle School Student: GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB!
Read 3 Reviews

• A+

• 911 Students
• 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

First Avenue Middle School

• Arcadia Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 2 reviews

Middle School Student: I really enjoy First Avenue Middle School because of the amazing teachers and the quality of instruction; without them, school wouldn't be all it's cracked up to be. Each teacher has their own unique teaching style, which makes each class engaging in its own way. And instead of one elective like other middle schools in the school district, we can choose two (we have a lot more options, too).
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• 786 Students
• 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Thurston Middle School

• Laguna Beach Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 6 reviews

Niche User: As far as middle schools go, Thurston is pretty great! It's made the transition from Elementary School to High School very easy.
Read 6 Reviews

• A+

• 766 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Oak Middle School

• Los Alamitos Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• 7 reviews

Alum: Oak did a wonderful job preparing me for high school. The teacher do a great job of not only preparing you for high school level curriculum, but going above the expectation. The only downside is that all of the students have grown up together attending the same elentary schools in the district, so it may be hard for transfer students to jump in right away. I enjoyed my time here and I am grateful for the efforts that the teachers and staff have devoted into us as students!
Read 7 Reviews

• A+

• 1,142 Students
• 28:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Plaza Vista

• Irvine Unified School District, CA
• K-8
• 8 reviews

Parent: Fantastic school with wonderful teachers and an amazing Principal and Vice Principal. An excellent education for my two children!
Read 8 Reviews

• A+

• 916 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

South Lake Middle School

• Irvine Unified School District, CA
• 7-8
• 1 review

Middle School Student: South Lake Middle School is one of the most academically ready schools in all of California. It offers one of the most difficult courses for the most diligent students, and that shows.
Read 1 Review

• A+

• 747 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Nick G. Parras Middle School

• Redondo Beach Unified School District, CA
• 6-8

• A+

• 1,200 Students
• 28:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sierra Vista Middle School

• Irvine Unified School District, CA
• 7-8
• 5 reviews

Freshman: I had the best time at Sierra Vista Middle School. I was not from one of the feeder schools into this middle school but I felt so included and I made so many close friends and before I knew it, it was like Sierra Vista was my home. I have so many fond memories with friends and I remember my teachers and how well they taught me. My eighth grade math teacher was one of them. Even though math wasn't my favorite subject, she was one of my favorite teachers and I will always remember her. In the GATE program at Sierra Vista, we were required to do NHD in our history classes. We learned so much about a topic we had to choose and relate back to the theme of that year. It really has helped me become a better student. When I went to Sierra Vista, SciOly was a club but right now it is a class. When i tried out for SciOly as a eighth grade I had no idea what was in store for me. It was so much fun! I feel like because of Sierra Vista, I am a more confident student and overall person.
Read 5 Reviews

• A+

• 836 Students
• 28:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Beacon Park

• Irvine Unified School District, CA
• K-8

• A

• 430 Students
• 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Chaparral Middle School

• Walnut Valley Unified School District, CA
• 6-8

• A

• 1,222 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Larchmont Charter School

• Los Angeles Unified School District, CA
• K-12
• 67 reviews

Senior: Larchmont Charter School is an incredibly special school. the teachers are dedicated to basing their curriculum around current events and social issues without forcing their own bias on to students. Larchmont creates a safe space for students to truly express themselves and therefore breeds activism, acceptance and involvement in the community. teachers make themselves extremely available to students in a diligently professional way that enable students to feel comfortable to both ask questions and provide answers in group discussions, which happen quite often. one negative thing i would say about the school, however, is that the administration is very disorganized.
Read 67 Reviews

• A

• 1,432 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

El Rodeo Elementary School

• Beverly Hills Unified School District, CA
• K-8
• 1 review

• A

• 643 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio