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Featured Ranking

Best Middle Schools in Atlanta, Georgia

We ranked all 30 middle schools in Atlanta. The top 25 scored between 4.8 and 9.5 out of 10.

Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Georgia education data

9.5
Top Score / 10
Resurgence Hall Middle Academy
30
Schools Ranked
17,996
Total Students
6.4/10
Avg Rating
13.3:1
Avg Class Size

Atlanta's middle school landscape spans 27 ranked schools, with performance ranging from developing programs to standout institutions. Resurgence Hall Middle Academy leads the pack at 9.5 out of 10, a full point ahead of second-ranked Ridgeview Charter School. The average composite score across all ranked schools sits at 6.4 out of 10, meaning families who do their homework can find options that meaningfully outperform the metro norm. Ten schools — 37% of the ranked total — clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold, a useful benchmark when sorting through the table below. The top tier includes a mix of charter schools and magnet programs, giving families real variety in academic focus and school structure. Use the table to filter by score, school type, or location, and pay attention to how individual schools perform across multiple metrics before making your short list.

Score Distribution

Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale

12345678910
School Top 3

How We Ranked Atlanta'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 Georgia so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.

All 25 Rankings

# School Score
1 Resurgence Hall Middle Academy Charter
State Specialty Schools II- Resurgence Hall Middle Academy
9.5
2 Ridgeview Charter School
Fulton County
8.8
3 Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - Middle Charter
Atlanta Public Schools
8.2
4 Atlanta SMART Academy Charter
State Specialty Schools II- Atlanta SMART Academy
8.2
5 Kittredge Magnet School
DeKalb County
8.2
6 RON CLARK ACADEMY 7.9
7 David T Howard Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
7.7
8 KIPP Soul Academy Charter
Atlanta Public Schools
7.7
9 Martin L. King Jr. Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
7.6
10 Peachtree Middle School
DeKalb County
7.2
11 Judson Price Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
7.1
12 CMCH SCHOOL 6.9
13 Crawford Long Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
6.8
14 Jean Childs Young Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
6.6
15 John Lewis Invictus Academy
Atlanta Public Schools
6.2
16 Camp Creek Middle School
Fulton County
6.2
17 Herman J. Russell West End Academy
Atlanta Public Schools
6.1
18 Sandy Springs Middle School
Fulton County
6.1
19 Willis A. Sutton Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
6.0
20 Sandtown Middle School
Fulton County
6.0
21 Sylvan Hills Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
5.9
22 KIPP South Fulton Academy School Charter
Fulton County
5.8
23 Ralph Bunche Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
5.5
24 Sequoyah Middle School
DeKalb County
5.0
25 KIPP WAYS Academy Charter School Charter
Atlanta Public Schools
4.8

Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Georgia education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Georgia. Learn about our methodology.

Map: Top 25 Middle Schools in Atlanta

Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.

School Spotlights: Atlanta's Top 10 Middle Schools

#1

Resurgence Hall Middle Academy

State Specialty Schools II- Resurgence Hall Middle Academy
9.5
/ 10
Top 1% in Georgia Strong Environment: 9.7 Charter
Students
133
Class Size
14.8:1
Grades
5th–8th
Academic
9.4
Environ.
9.7
View full profile
#2
8.8
/ 10
Top 4% in Georgia Strong Growth: 9.6
Students
963
Class Size
12.2:1
Grades
6th–8th
Academic
7.9
Growth
9.6
Environ.
8.9
View full profile
#3
8.2
/ 10
Top 10% in Georgia Strong Environment: 9.9 Charter
Students
234
Class Size
11.7:1
Grades
6th–8th
Academic
7.0
Growth
8.2
Environ.
9.9
View full profile
#4

Atlanta SMART Academy

State Specialty Schools II- Atlanta SMART Academy
8.2
/ 10
Top 10% in Georgia Strong Growth: 10.0 Charter
Students
213
Class Size
11.8:1
Grades
5th–8th
Academic
5.0
Growth
10.0
Environ.
9.7
View full profile
#5
8.2
/ 10
Top 11% in Georgia Strong Academic: 10.0
Students
551
Class Size
15.7:1
Grades
4th–6th
Academic
10.0
Growth
8.0
Environ.
6.2
View full profile
Top 9% in Georgia
Students
141
Class Size
8.2:1
Grades
4th–8th
Academic
5.5
View full profile
#7

David T Howard Middle School

Atlanta Public Schools
7.7
/ 10
Top 20% in Georgia Strong Environment: 9.8
Students
1,056
Class Size
13.4:1
Grades
6th–8th
Academic
8.5
Growth
5.7
Environ.
9.8
View full profile
#8

KIPP Soul Academy

Atlanta Public Schools
7.7
/ 10
Top 20% in Georgia Strong Environment: 9.9 Charter
Students
344
Class Size
9.8:1
Grades
5th–8th
Academic
3.9
Growth
9.6
Environ.
9.9
View full profile
#9

Martin L. King Jr. Middle School

Atlanta Public Schools
7.6
/ 10
Top 22% in Georgia Strong Environment: 9.7
Students
801
Class Size
13.8:1
Grades
6th–8th
Academic
5.3
Growth
8.4
Environ.
9.7
View full profile
#10
7.2
/ 10
Top 32% in Georgia Strong Environment: 7.5
Students
1,208
Class Size
14.6:1
Grades
6th–8th
Academic
7.0
Growth
7.1
Environ.
7.5
View full profile

Choosing the Right Middle School in Atlanta

Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Atlanta's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in Georgia, with 30 schools spanning 16 school districts, plus 10 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.

See all 216 schools in Atlanta (all levels) →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best middle school in Atlanta, Georgia?

According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Resurgence Hall Middle Academy is the top-rated middle school in Atlanta with a composite score of 9.5/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.

How many middle schools are in Atlanta, Georgia?

Atlanta has 30 middle schools, including 10 charter schools. Of these, 30 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.

What is the average middle school rating in Atlanta?

The average composite score for Atlanta middle schools is 6.4/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Georgia).

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 Georgia, 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 Georgia, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.

Are charter schools included in the Atlanta middle school rankings?

Yes. Atlanta has 10 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.