Best Middle Schools
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
We ranked all 30 middle schools in Albuquerque. The top 25 scored between 5.6 and 8.7 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and New Mexico education data
Albuquerque's 29 ranked middle schools span a meaningful range of performance, giving families real options to compare. Jefferson Middle leads the field with an 8.7/10 composite score, followed closely by Voz Collegiate Preparatory Charter School at 8.5 and a cluster of strong performers in the mid-8s. The metro average sits at 6.9/10, but more than half of ranked schools — 15 in total — clear the 7/10 threshold, which means quality options are spread across the city rather than concentrated in a single pocket. The table below lets you sort by overall score, academics, or other metrics to find the schools that match your priorities. Whether you're weighing proximity, test performance, or school type, the data here covers the full range of Albuquerque middle schools that have enough information to be meaningfully ranked. Start by sorting the top score column to see how the leaders stack up against the field.
JEFFERSON MIDDLE
VOZ COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL
EISENHOWER MIDDLE
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Albuquerque's Middle Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within New Mexico so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JEFFERSON MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 8.7 |
| 2 | VOZ COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Charter ALBUQUERQUE | 8.5 |
| 3 | EISENHOWER MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 8.3 |
| 4 | DESERT RIDGE MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 8.3 |
| 5 | MADISON MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 8.2 |
| 6 | CLEVELAND MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 8.2 |
| 7 | GRANT MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 8.1 |
| 8 | L.B. JOHNSON MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 8.1 |
| 9 | TAFT MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 8.1 |
| 10 | HOOVER MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 8.0 |
| 11 | TONY HILLERMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL ALBUQUERQUE | 8.0 |
| 12 | JACKSON MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 7.8 |
| 13 | JAMES MONROE MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 7.3 |
| 14 | KENNEDY MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 7.0 |
| 15 | SOUTHWEST PREPARATORY LEARNING CENTER Charter SOUTHWEST PREPARATORY LEARNING CENTER | 7.0 |
| 16 | TRUMAN MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 6.9 |
| 17 | ERNIE PYLE MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 6.4 |
| 18 | HAYES MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 6.3 |
| 19 | WILSON MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 6.1 |
| 20 | MCKINLEY MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 6.0 |
| 21 | GARFIELD MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 5.9 |
| 22 | HARRISON MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 5.9 |
| 23 | WASHINGTON MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 5.9 |
| 24 | SOLARE COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL Charter SOLARE COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL | 5.8 |
| 25 | VAN BUREN MIDDLE ALBUQUERQUE | 5.6 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and New Mexico education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in New Mexico. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Middle Schools in Albuquerque
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Albuquerque's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in Albuquerque
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Albuquerque's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in New Mexico, with 30 schools spanning 28 school districts, plus 4 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best middle school in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, JEFFERSON MIDDLE is the top-rated middle school in Albuquerque with a composite score of 8.7/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many middle schools are in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
Albuquerque has 30 middle schools, including 4 charter schools. Of these, 29 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Albuquerque?
The average composite score for Albuquerque middle schools is 6.9/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in New Mexico).
How does MySchoolScout rate middle schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within New Mexico, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in New Mexico, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Albuquerque middle school rankings?
Yes. Albuquerque has 4 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.