Best Middle Schools in Arizona (2025-26)

A: 41B: 38C: 44D: 36F: 17

45% of the 176 ranked middle schools in Arizona earn an A or B (41 A grades, 38 B, 44 C, 36 D, 17 F), against 46% of middle schools nationwide. 120 schools meet or beat the proficiency projected from their student context (68% here, 70% nationally), and 56 exceed it. On average 30% of tested students meet the state bar against a projected 28% (national averages: 45% actual, 38% projected).

The biggest overperformers, by actual proficiency above projection: Marc T Atkinson Middle School And Gifted Academy (49% against 16%, A-), Paulo Freire Freedom School University (54% against 25%, A), Maricopa Institute Of Technology Mit (54% against 28%, A), Wakefield Middle School (44% against 18%, A-), Future Investment Middle School (43% against 17%, A-).

Districts with the most schools in the top quarter (the top 44): Scottsdale Unified District (4240) (5), Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) (4), Vail Unified District (4413) (4), Gilbert Unified District (4239) (4).

Cities with the most ranked middle schools: Phoenix (30, 12 at A or B), Tucson (29, 14 at A or B), Mesa (13, 7 at A or B), Yuma (7, 0 at A or B), Scottsdale (6, 6 at A or B).

The largest ranked middle schools: Santan Junior High School (1,234 students, A+, #10), Greenfield Junior High School (1,204 students, A, #17), Bogle Junior High School (1,151 students, A-, #30).

Of the top 25, 0 are magnet schools and 3 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 Arizona?

Arizona College Prep Middle School in Chandler ranks first among the 176 ranked middle schools in Arizona with a SchoolGrade of A+, 87% of tested students meeting the state bar against a projected 66%.

How are middle schools in Arizona 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 Arizona have?

SchoolGrade grades 186 public middle schools in Arizona; 176 are ranked here and 10 are listed as not ranked.