Best Middle Schools
in Baltimore, Maryland
We ranked the 34 middle schools in Baltimore with real test data. The top 25 scored between 4.2 and 7.9 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Maryland education data
The short answer
The top-rated middle schools in Baltimore for 2026 are Lillie May Carroll Jackson School (7.9/10), Sisters Academy of Baltimore (7.5/10), and Brooklyn Park Middle (6.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 34 rated middle schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a middle school in Baltimore?
Every middle school in Baltimore is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lillie May Carroll Jackson School
Baltimore, MD. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Sisters Academy of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Brooklyn Park Middle
Baltimore, MD. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
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.
Lillie May Carroll Jackson School
Sisters Academy of Baltimore
Brooklyn Park 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 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Maryland so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 34 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lillie May Carroll Jackson School Charter Baltimore City Public Schools | 7.9 |
| 2 | Sisters Academy of Baltimore | 7.5 |
| 3 | Brooklyn Park Middle Anne Arundel County Public Schools | 6.8 |
| 4 | Sparrows Point Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 6.8 |
| 5 | Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Charter Baltimore City Public Schools | 6.7 |
| 6 | Dumbarton Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 6.6 |
| 7 | Mother Seton Academy | 6.3 |
| 8 | Perry Hall Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 6.2 |
| 9 | The Crossroads School Charter Baltimore City Public Schools | 6.1 |
| 10 | St Ignatius Loyola Academy | 6.1 |
| 11 | Booker T. Washington Middle Baltimore City Public Schools | 6.0 |
| 12 | Woodlawn Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.7 |
| 13 | Deep Creek Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.6 |
| 14 | Darchei Noam | 5.6 |
| 15 | Northwest Academy of Health Sciences Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.5 |
| 16 | Windsor Mill Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.5 |
| 17 | Arbutus Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 5.3 |
| 18 | Katherine Johnson Global Academy Baltimore City Public Schools | 5.0 |
| 19 | The Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/middle Baltimore City Public Schools | 5.0 |
| 20 | Sudbrook Magnet Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 4.8 |
| 21 | Southwest Academy Baltimore County Public Schools | 4.7 |
| 22 | Parkville Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 4.6 |
| 23 | Middle River Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 4.5 |
| 24 | Holabird Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 4.2 |
| 25 | Stemmers Run Middle Baltimore County Public Schools | 4.2 |
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, Lillie May Carroll Jackson School is the top-rated middle school in Baltimore with a composite score of 7.9/10. 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 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 5.1/10. 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 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 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.