Best Middle Schools
in Baltimore, Maryland
We ranked all 37 middle schools in Baltimore. The top 25 scored between 4.6 and 7.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Maryland education data
Baltimore's middle school landscape spans 30 ranked schools, with performance varying considerably across the metro. The Crossroads School leads the field with a composite score of 7.3/10, followed closely by Booker T. Washington Middle and Woodlawn Middle, both at 7.1/10. Only 3 schools — 10% of the ranked total — clear the 7/10 threshold, signaling that strong options exist but are concentrated at the top. The average composite score sits at 5.3/10, which means the gap between the highest and lowest performers is meaningful. Parents willing to sort by specific metrics — academics, environment, or extracurriculars — will find the table below surfaces differences that a simple list can't. Whether you're prioritizing proximity, program type, or overall quality, the spread here rewards careful comparison rather than defaulting to the top name alone.
SISTERS ACADEMY OF BALTIMORE
The Crossroads School
Booker T. Washington Middle
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Baltimore'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 Maryland so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SISTERS ACADEMY OF BALTIMORE | 7.5 |
| 2 | The Crossroads School Charter Baltimore City Public Schools | 7.3 |
| 3 | Booker T. Washington Middle Baltimore City Public Schools | 7.1 |
| 4 | Woodlawn Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 7.1 |
| 5 | Deep Creek Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 6.6 |
| 6 | Brooklyn Park Middle Anne Arundel County Public Schools | 6.3 |
| 7 | MOTHER SETON ACADEMY | 6.3 |
| 8 | Dumbarton Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 6.2 |
| 9 | Parkville Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 6.2 |
| 10 | Northwest Academy of Health Sciences Baltimore County Public Schools | 6.1 |
| 11 | ST IGNATIUS LOYOLA ACADEMY | 6.1 |
| 12 | The Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle Baltimore City Public Schools | 5.9 |
| 13 | Arbutus Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.9 |
| 14 | Windsor Mill Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.8 |
| 15 | Perry Hall Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.7 |
| 16 | Lillie May Carroll Jackson School Charter Baltimore City Public Schools | 5.6 |
| 17 | Southwest Academy Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.6 |
| 18 | DARCHEI NOAM | 5.6 |
| 19 | Holabird Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.5 |
| 20 | Dundalk Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.4 |
| 21 | Katherine Johnson Global Academy Baltimore City Public Schools | 5.3 |
| 22 | Sudbrook Magnet Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.1 |
| 23 | Lansdowne Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 4.7 |
| 24 | Sparrows Point Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 4.7 |
| 25 | Stemmers Run Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 4.6 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Maryland education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Maryland. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Middle Schools in Baltimore
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Baltimore's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in Baltimore
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Baltimore's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in Maryland, with 37 schools spanning 4 school districts, plus 3 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 Baltimore, Maryland?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, SISTERS ACADEMY OF BALTIMORE is the top-rated middle school in Baltimore with a composite score of 7.5/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many middle schools are in Baltimore, Maryland?
Baltimore has 37 middle schools, including 3 charter schools. Of these, 34 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Baltimore?
The average composite score for Baltimore middle schools is 5.4/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Maryland).
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 Maryland, 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 Maryland, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Baltimore middle school rankings?
Yes. Baltimore has 3 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.