2023 Most Diverse Public Middle Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area

• Alameda Unified School District, CA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  195 reviews

Junior: Hi My name is Crystal Le. I’ve been going to Encinal for around 6 years now, coming onto 7 for my senior year. I’m currently an 11th grader. Over the years, attending this school has been one of the most interesting experiences. One thing I love about this school is all the support for students for colleges, future planning, mental health especially, and one on one teaching. Encinal provides so many resources for mental and physical heath to the students, with our own student based health center which is super friendly. Another aspect I like is community. Our school is very diverse, people from all kinds of background can be seen here. We have spirit days and events like homecoming assembly, where students from each grade volunteer to create a skit and dance for the assembly. It’s a great way to bond with your class and create a friendly competition. Overall a good experience and one of my favorite parts about Encinal.... Read 195 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 1,199

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Oakland Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Alum: Edna Brewer gave me the tools to succeed. The teachers here care about their students. Also, not to mention the outstanding music program. Diverse group of students indeed. This school will truly give you those “middle school memories”.... Read 5 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Students 812

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Oakland Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Alum: Montera is a pretty average middle school. While there are pluses, there are a few cons, but none are too major. The girls basketball team got the boys team hand-me-downs, and lots of teachers have left. The workload is pretty light, almost too light, considering we only had homework in a few classes on special occasions, leaving the students behind in high school. On the plus side, Montera has a woodshop course that not many middle schools offer, and the teacher is phenomenal. The library is awesome, and lots of the teachers really have a passion for teaching. The campus is large, and typically pretty clean. The food could be better, but its free, so everyone can get it. There are many field trips that you can go on, such as the 6th grade camping trip, museum trips, and the 8th grade DC trip. Overall, I would recommend Montera!... Read 4 reviews

• grade C+

• grade A+

• Students 633

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Alameda, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: Nea is truly a wonderful school. The small size of the school allows you to get closer to not only your fellow students, but also teachers and administartion. If you want to do something there is always a group of people to support you. The disadvantage is you don't get a lot of the high school expirence unless you truly dedicate yourself to making it happen. Admistartion also works very slowly and is quick to reject your ideas. It's not impossibe it's just a lot of work to get stuff done.(My ideas are biased because the pandemic ruined highschool for me).... Read 44 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 534

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Alameda, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: Well designed, thoughtful, program that includes core academics, music, and extracurricular activities. Teachers are engaged and available to parents when needed. My child graduated from 8th grade in June 2019 and her experience was more than I could have hoped for - they embed diversity and respect, and have simple steps to ensure the teachers and others have an eye on the development of each child (soon to be adult).... Read 4 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 439

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Alameda Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Parent: Wood Middle School has been an excellent experience for both of my children. The variety of subjects, professionalism of the administration and teachers, and the support of the students and their families has provided for a well-rounded adventure that has suitably prepared High School students.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 612

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-8

• grade B

• grade A+

• Students 305

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• West Contra Costa Unified School District, CA•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 2.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Alum: I believe that Korematsu has a unified atmosphere. The togetherness and pride that we all share and take in our school has really inspired me to do great things in the future.... Read 3 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• Students 729

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• West Contra Costa Unified School District, CA•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  8 reviews

Junior: My experience at Vista High school is relatively good. It's a very small school with less than 300 students however everyone there is incredibly welcoming and supportive. Due to the small number of students and participants, there are many limitations, such as no AP classes, clubs, sports and few electives. Despite so, the teachers and staff do their best to make up for it, recommending taking college classes, offering tutoring and additional support.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Students 216

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Santa Clara Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: My daughter just started and is loving it here. They have good teachers, and great options for clubs. They also have a great STEM program (though that starts in 7th grade). They also have good resources. Lots of ways of winning prizes etc. Even the food seems to have improved (compared to elementary). Good music program. Finally the fact that the Youth Activity Center is right next door is an added advantage (kids can check in after school and play dodge ball, board games etc)... Read 2 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 908

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Vallejo City Unified School District, CA•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  23 reviews

Niche User: My son has had nothing positive experiences at Vallejo Charter School. He has been a student since Kindergarten and will graduate 8th grade next year. He has had exceptional teachers each year who have inspired in him a love of learning. He works hard and is proud of his good grades. I am very thankful for Vallejo Charter School!... Read 23 reviews

• grade C minus

• grade A+

• Students 447

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Antioch Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Junior: When I went to Dallas Ranch Middle School, I found it a very fun experience. However, everyone has been telling me it has changed. What I want to see change is the teachers that work there- patient and strong teachers who're able to handle hyper children are needed for this school to restore the reputation my middle school had when I went.... Read 1 review

• grade C

• grade A+

• Students 847

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade C+

• grade A+

• Students 609

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Oakland Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  12 reviews

Alum: I really enjoyed my experience at Claremont. Keep in mind it is an Oakland public school, but it was very good considering. The academics are good for middle school. Algebra is offered for 8th grade students. The environment is fun and energetic. The school goes on multiple field trips a year, nothing too out of the ordinary (ice skating, museum, ect.), but fun none the less. The field is a fairly new addition and it is very nice. Walking wednesday in PE was always a high point. Lunch time is always very active, kids play soccer, basketball, tag, and their is often music playing. their are nice tables with umbrellas and benches to sit at in the courtyard. 6th graders get their own hallway. Many teachers are very kind and excited about teaching, others are average, but curriculum is good either way. Desmos in math was very fun. Great music and sports program. Music had two concerts a year and the sports coaches were great.... Read 12 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Students 498

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Santa Clara Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2.33 out of 5  3 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 965

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 1.67 out of 5  3 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 939

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• West Contra Costa Unified School District, CA•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Mira vista was my school growing up and my siblings and cousins school, so being in my neighborhood made it feel like a safe place to be. Now my kids attend that school and it is a good school with amazing teachers. The one thing I didn’t like was the addition of middle school classes to the elementary school.... Read 2 reviews

• grade C+

• grade A+

• Students 605

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Mt. Diablo Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Pine Hollow Middle School did an outstanding job welcoming my 6th grader to middle school. The teachers put on special 6th grade days in Fall and Spring, as well as taking the students to Alcatraz for a field trip while reading a book set on Alcatraz. My student not only learned the curriculum, he also learned organization and personal responsibility for his education.... Read 2 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Students 562

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• John Swett Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• grade C+

• grade A+

• Students 289

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• West Contra Costa Unified School District, CA•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  7 reviews

Alum: Even after I graduated from Stewart and went to high school, I still come back to the school every month as part of a literacy project to read to the younger students because I feel such an attachment to my old elementary and middle school. Going to a school for 8 years really fosters a fond attachment.... Read 7 reviews

• grade C minus

• grade A+

• Students 405

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Antioch Unified School District, CA•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  10 reviews

Alum: I have mental Health issues which prevented me from going to a regular school. By only going to school for once a week, I was able to graduate high school. They were really understanding and they helped me with anything I needed.... Read 10 reviews

• grade C+

• grade A+

• Students 289

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Students 828

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• San Francisco Unified School District, CA•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Alum: San Francisco Community school was a school with many great experiences throughout my childhood. It had the unique part of having students practice the virtues and powerful ways of thinking. Awards would be handed out to students who practiced these virtues and powerful ways of thinking. This helped people develop the ability to respect themselves and others more. The teachers emphasized these virtues for all the grade levels. The teachers also held community gatherings for all the grades. These would include whole school picnics and whole school games. The other unique part of this school was the space it created for conflicts between others to be resolved through the virtues. Teachers would step in between students to help guide them to resolving problems. This gave a chance for people to learn from their behavioral mistakes when they were young and innocent.... Read 1 review

• grade C+

• grade A+

• Students 277

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Napa Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: I liked the diversity of American Canyon Middle School. They provided many opportunities for learning such as advanced classes, music/art classes, STEM classes.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Students 1,011

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Sausalito, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: There are so many reasons why our family feels remarkably lucky to be at WCA. We were most drawn to the mix of income levels, racial and cultural backgrounds and languages, over any other school in Marin. The beautiful campus overlooks the Bay and has 4 gardens. WCA’s greatest strength is undoubtedly the teachers - a passionate, fun-spirited group who use hands-on, project-based learning methods and are innovative and creative in their approaches. We have found the administration to be personally responsive and accessible and encouraging of parent engagement. It is a joy to see kids playing ukelele, xylophone and percussion in our dynamic music program, as well as the murals, sculptures and paintings from our vibrant art classes. And did I mention the freshly cooked school lunches, with all organic food? It's SO many things!... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 346

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1