Best Middle Schools in Alabama (2025-26)

A: 51B: 54C: 53D: 57F: 20

45% of the 235 ranked middle schools in Alabama earn an A or B (51 A grades, 54 B, 53 C, 57 D, 20 F), against 46% of middle schools nationwide. 156 schools meet or beat the proficiency projected from their student context (66% here, 70% nationally), and 74 exceed it. On average 41% of tested students meet the state bar against a projected 32% (national averages: 45% actual, 38% projected).

The biggest overperformers, by actual proficiency above projection: Denton Magnet School Of Technology (74% against 36%, A+), Dunbar Creative Performing Arts (52% against 14%, B+), Floyd Middle School (60% against 26%, A-), Clarkshaw Magnet School (70% against 37%, A+), Straughn Middle School (77% against 45%, A+).

Districts with the most schools in the top quarter (the top 59): Mobile County (4), Huntsville City (4), Baldwin County (4), Auburn City (3).

Cities with the most ranked middle schools: Mobile (12, 6 at A or B), Huntsville (11, 5 at A or B), Birmingham (10, 1 at A or B), Montgomery (9, 2 at A or B), Tuscaloosa (4, 2 at A or B).

The largest ranked middle schools: Auburn Junior High School (1,516 students, A+, #19), Liberty Middle School (1,493 students, A, #35), Thompson Middle School (1,434 students, B+, #55).

Of the top 25, 6 are magnet schools and 0 are charters. Selective and specialised schools tend to post high actual scores; the projection column is the fairer comparison for a neighborhood school.

What is the best middle school in Alabama?

Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School in Pleasant Grove ranks first among the 235 ranked middle schools in Alabama with a SchoolGrade of A+, 91% of tested students meeting the state bar against a projected 63%.

How are middle schools in Alabama ranked?

By SchoolGrade, the 2025-26 model that scores each school's actual test proficiency against the level projected for its student context, then by actual proficiency to break ties. Regular public schools that are open, not fully online and have at least 30 students are ranked; the rest are listed below the table with the reason.

How many middle schools does Alabama have?

SchoolGrade grades 240 public middle schools in Alabama; 235 are ranked here and 5 are listed as not ranked.