The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Atlanta for 2026 are Resurgence Hall Middle Academy (9.6/10), David T Howard Middle School (9.2/10), and Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - Middle (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 27 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
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.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.6
- 29.2
- 38.8
- 48.4
- 58.3
- 68.2
- 78.1
- 88.0
- 97.7
- 107.7
All 27 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 27
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Resurgence Hall Middle AcademycharterState Specialty Schools Ii- Resurgence Hall Middle Academystudents 133student-teacher ratio 14.8:1grades 5th–8th
- 2David T Howard Middle SchoolAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 1,056student-teacher ratio 13.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 3Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - MiddlecharterAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 234student-teacher ratio 11.7:1grades 6th–8th
- 4Martin L. King Jr. Middle SchoolAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 801student-teacher ratio 13.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 5Ridgeview Charter SchoolFulton Countystudents 963student-teacher ratio 12.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 6Willis A. Sutton Middle SchoolAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 1,555student-teacher ratio 15.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 7Kipp South Fulton Academy SchoolcharterFulton Countystudents 380student-teacher ratio 12.7:1grades 5th–8th
- 8Kipp Vision Charter SchoolcharterAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 403student-teacher ratio 12.2:1grades 5th–8th
- 9Kipp Soul AcademycharterAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 344student-teacher ratio 9.8:1grades 5th–8th
- 10Atlanta Smart AcademycharterState Specialty Schools Ii- Atlanta Smart Academystudents 213student-teacher ratio 11.8:1grades 5th–8th
- 11Kittredge Magnet SchoolDekalb Countystudents 551student-teacher ratio 15.7:1grades 4th–6th
- 12Sylvan Hills Middle SchoolAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 430student-teacher ratio 12.3:1grades 6th–8th
- 13Sandy Springs Middle SchoolFulton Countystudents 774student-teacher ratio 13.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 14Kipp Strive Charter SchoolcharterAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 406student-teacher ratio 14.5:1grades 5th–8th
- 15Camp Creek Middle SchoolFulton Countystudents 743student-teacher ratio 14.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 16Herman J. Russell West End AcademyAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 366student-teacher ratio 10.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 17Dekalb Path Academy Charter SchoolcharterDekalb Countystudents 368student-teacher ratio 21.6:1grades 5th–8th
- 18Ralph Bunche Middle SchoolAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 712student-teacher ratio 12.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 19John Lewis Invictus AcademyAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 738student-teacher ratio 11.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 20Kipp Ways Academy Charter SchoolcharterAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 395student-teacher ratio 12.7:1grades 5th–8th
- 21Sandtown Middle SchoolFulton Countystudents 1,004student-teacher ratio 15.7:1grades 6th–8th
- 22Crawford Long Middle SchoolAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 649student-teacher ratio 10.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 23Peachtree Middle SchoolDekalb Countystudents 1,208student-teacher ratio 14.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 24Jean Childs Young Middle SchoolAtlanta Public Schoolsstudents 656student-teacher ratio 10.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 25Sequoyah Middle SchoolDekalb Countystudents 1,710student-teacher ratio 15.7:1grades 6th–8th
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.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Resurgence Hall Middle Academy
State Specialty Schools Ii- Resurgence Hall Middle Academy
133 students · 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 1% in Georgia · charter
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 9.9
- 2
David T Howard Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
1,056 students · 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 1% in Georgia
- Academics
- 8.9
- Growth
- 9.0
- Environment
- 9.8
- 3
Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - Middle
Atlanta Public Schools
234 students · 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 3% in Georgia · charter
- Academics
- 7.4
- Growth
- 9.2
- Environment
- 10.0
- 4
Martin L. King Jr. Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
801 students · 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 7% in Georgia
- Academics
- 6.9
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 8.1
- 5
Ridgeview Charter School
Fulton County
963 students · 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 8% in Georgia
- Academics
- 8.1
- Growth
- 7.9
- Environment
- 9.4
- 6
Willis A. Sutton Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
1,555 students · 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 9% in Georgia
- Academics
- 7.0
- Growth
- 8.5
- Environment
- 9.3
- 7
Kipp South Fulton Academy School
Fulton County
380 students · 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 11% in Georgia · charter
- Academics
- 6.9
- Growth
- 8.1
- Environment
- 9.6
- 8
Kipp Vision Charter School
Atlanta Public Schools
403 students · 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 12% in Georgia · charter
- Academics
- 4.6
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 9.7
- 9
Kipp Soul Academy
Atlanta Public Schools
344 students · 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 17% in Georgia · charter
- Academics
- 4.8
- Growth
- 9.1
- Environment
- 9.7
- 10
Atlanta Smart Academy
State Specialty Schools Ii- Atlanta Smart Academy
213 students · 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 17% in Georgia · charter
- Academics
- 5.5
- Growth
- 8.5
- Environment
- 9.4
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 9.6/10. 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 Atlanta, Georgia?
Atlanta has 33 middle schools, including 10 charter schools. Of these, 31 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Atlanta?
Among 31 Atlanta middle schools with a composite score, the average is 6.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Georgia).
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 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?
Atlanta has 10 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 Atlanta2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Atlanta2026 rankings and ratings
- All 224 schools in AtlantaElementary, middle and high
- Georgia schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings