The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Albuquerque for 2026 are Voz Collegiate Preparatory Charter School (9.0/10), Desert Ridge Middle (8.4/10), and Eisenhower Middle (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 29 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
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.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.0
- 28.4
- 38.2
- 47.5
- 57.5
- 66.6
- 76.4
- 86.4
- 96.4
- 106.3
All 29 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 29
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Voz Collegiate Preparatory Charter SchoolcharterAlbuquerquestudents 83student-teacher ratio 10.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 2Desert Ridge MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 788student-teacher ratio 13.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 3Eisenhower MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 769student-teacher ratio 15.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 4Tony Hillerman Middle SchoolAlbuquerquestudents 939student-teacher ratio 16.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 5Solare Collegiate Charter SchoolcharterSolare Collegiate Charter Schoolstudents 295student-teacher ratio 9.8:1grades 5th–8th
- 6Madison MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 565student-teacher ratio 13.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 7Grant MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 300student-teacher ratio 10.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 8Jefferson MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 606student-teacher ratio 13.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 9South Valley PrepcharterSouth Valley Prepstudents 141student-teacher ratio 12.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 10L.b. Johnson MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 571student-teacher ratio 13.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 11Cleveland MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 509student-teacher ratio 13.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 12Jackson MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 371student-teacher ratio 12.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 13Harrison MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 308student-teacher ratio 11.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 14Hoover MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 380student-teacher ratio 14.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 15Taft MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 267student-teacher ratio 12.7:1grades 6th–8th
- 16Washington MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 270student-teacher ratio 12.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 17John Adams MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 413student-teacher ratio 12.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 18Hayes MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 363student-teacher ratio 11.3:1grades 6th–8th
- 19Garfield MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 303student-teacher ratio 12.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 20Truman MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 573student-teacher ratio 11.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 21James Monroe MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 659student-teacher ratio 14.3:1grades 6th–8th
- 22Ernie Pyle MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 415student-teacher ratio 12.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 23Kennedy MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 308student-teacher ratio 10.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 24Van Buren MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 331student-teacher ratio 13.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 25Mckinley MiddleAlbuquerquestudents 468student-teacher ratio 13.8:1grades 6th–8th
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.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Voz Collegiate Preparatory Charter School
Albuquerque
83 students · 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 2% in New Mexico · charter
- Academics
- 8.7
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- 9.5
- 2
Desert Ridge Middle
Albuquerque
788 students · 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 7% in New Mexico
- Academics
- 9.8
- Growth
- 7.3
- Environment
- 8.4
- 3
Eisenhower Middle
Albuquerque
769 students · 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 9% in New Mexico
- Academics
- 9.8
- Growth
- 7.3
- Environment
- 7.4
- 4
Tony Hillerman Middle School
Albuquerque
939 students · 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 19% in New Mexico
- Academics
- 8.9
- Growth
- 7.1
- Environment
- 6.3
- 5
Solare Collegiate Charter School
Solare Collegiate Charter School
295 students · 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 20% in New Mexico · charter
- Academics
- 6.1
- Growth
- 9.0
- Environment
- 7.2
- 6
Madison Middle
Albuquerque
565 students · 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 40% in New Mexico
- Academics
- 8.6
- Growth
- 4.3
- Environment
- 7.3
- 7
Grant Middle
Albuquerque
300 students · 10.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 45% in New Mexico
- Academics
- 7.2
- Growth
- 5.0
- Environment
- 7.5
- 8
Jefferson Middle
Albuquerque
606 students · 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 45% in New Mexico
- Academics
- 8.9
- Growth
- 3.8
- Environment
- 7.1
- 9
South Valley Prep
South Valley Prep
141 students · 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 45% in New Mexico · charter
- Academics
- 4.8
- Growth
- 7.9
- Environment
- 6.2
- 10
L.b. Johnson Middle
Albuquerque
571 students · 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 47% in New Mexico
- Academics
- 8.4
- Growth
- 4.0
- Environment
- 6.9
Questions
What is the best middle school in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Voz Collegiate Preparatory Charter School is the top-rated middle school in Albuquerque with a composite score of 9.0/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many middle schools are in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
Albuquerque has 29 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?
Among 29 Albuquerque middle schools with a composite score, the average is 6.0/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in New Mexico).
How does MySchoolScout rate middle schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. 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?
Albuquerque has 4 charter middle schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
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.
Explore more
- Best elementary schools in Albuquerque2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Albuquerque2026 rankings and ratings
- All 241 schools in AlbuquerqueElementary, middle and high
- New Mexico schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings