The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Columbus for 2026 are Larson Middle School (8.0/10), Midnimo Cross Cultural Middle School (7.7/10), and Bexley Middle School (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 31 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Columbus ranks 31 middle schools across its metro area, and the data reveals a wide gap between the top performers and the pack. Larson Middle School leads at 9.1 out of 10, sitting well above the average composite score of 5.9 — a spread that signals meaningful differences in outcomes depending on where a student enrolls. Only 3 schools, or about 10% of those ranked, clear the 7-out-of-10 mark, making the upper tier genuinely competitive. McCord and Bexley Middle Schools follow Larson in the standings, with Yorktown and Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys rounding out the top five. The table below lets you sort by the metrics that matter most to your family — academic performance, school type, or enrollment size. Use it to cut through the noise and focus on the schools that fit your priorities.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 18.0
- 27.7
- 37.4
- 46.9
- 56.9
- 66.7
- 76.4
- 86.2
- 96.2
- 106.2
All 31 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 31
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Larson Middle SchoolGrandview Heights Schoolsstudents 449student-teacher ratio 16.0:1grades 4th–8th
- 2Midnimo Cross Cultural Middle SchoolcharterMidnimo Cross Cultural Middle Schoolstudents 143student-teacher ratio 17.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 3Bexley Middle SchoolBexley Citystudents 592student-teacher ratio 19.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 4World Language Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 474student-teacher ratio 14.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 5Mccord Middle SchoolWorthington Citystudents 580student-teacher ratio 15.3:1grades 6th–8th
- 6Horizon Science Academy Columbus Middle SchoolcharterHorizon Science Academy Columbus Middle Schoolstudents 453student-teacher ratio 14.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 7Arts Impact Middle School (aims)Columbus City Schools Districtstudents 511student-teacher ratio 15.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 8Buckeye Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 340student-teacher ratio 10.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 9Dominion Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 726student-teacher ratio 16.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 10Wedgewood Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 475student-teacher ratio 13.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 11Columbus City Preparatory School for BoysColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 84student-teacher ratio 7.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 12Columbus City Preparatory School for GirlsColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 205student-teacher ratio 13.7:1grades 6th–8th
- 13Groveport Madison Middle School NorthGroveport Madison Localstudents 503student-teacher ratio 14.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 14Woodward Park Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 796student-teacher ratio 16.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 15Ridgeview Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 503student-teacher ratio 14.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 16Medina Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 405student-teacher ratio 13.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 17Hilltonia Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 430student-teacher ratio 11.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 18Johnson Park Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 331student-teacher ratio 10.3:1grades 6th–8th
- 19Sherwood Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 436student-teacher ratio 14.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 20Hamilton Intermediate SchoolHamilton Localstudents 695student-teacher ratio 18.8:1grades 3rd–7th
- 21Columbus Africentric Early College Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 197student-teacher ratio 32.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 22Valor Academy Inc.charterValor Academy Inc.students 99student-teacher ratio 99.0:1grades 4th–8th
- 23Mifflin Alternative Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 339student-teacher ratio 12.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 24Westmoor Middle SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 400student-teacher ratio 12.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 25Finland Middle SchoolSouth-Western Citystudents 641student-teacher ratio 17.8:1grades 7th–8th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Ohio education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Ohio. 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
Larson Middle School
Grandview Heights Schools
449 students · 16.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 4th–8th
Top 9% in Ohio
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 5.5
- Environment
- 9.6
- 2
Midnimo Cross Cultural Middle School
Midnimo Cross Cultural Middle School
143 students · 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 13% in Ohio · charter
- Academics
- 6.3
- Growth
- 9.3
- Environment
- 7.2
- 3
Bexley Middle School
Bexley City
592 students · 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 19% in Ohio
- Academics
- 9.0
- Growth
- 5.2
- Environment
- 8.5
- 4
World Language Middle School
Columbus City Schools District
474 students · 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 33% in Ohio
- Academics
- 3.7
- Growth
- 8.2
- Environment
- 9.2
- 5
Mccord Middle School
Worthington City
580 students · 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 34% in Ohio
- Academics
- 6.7
- Growth
- 6.0
- Environment
- 8.7
- 6
Horizon Science Academy Columbus Middle School
Horizon Science Academy Columbus Middle School
453 students · 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 39% in Ohio · charter
- Academics
- 3.8
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 6.4
- 7
Arts Impact Middle School (aims)
Columbus City Schools District
511 students · 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 47% in Ohio
- Academics
- 3.5
- Growth
- 8.7
- Environment
- 6.7
- 8
Buckeye Middle School
Columbus City Schools District
340 students · 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 53% in Ohio
- Academics
- 2.3
- Growth
- 7.2
- Environment
- 10.0
- 9
Dominion Middle School
Columbus City Schools District
726 students · 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 53% in Ohio
- Academics
- 4.9
- Growth
- 6.6
- Environment
- 7.2
- 10
Wedgewood Middle School
Columbus City Schools District
475 students · 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 53% in Ohio
- Academics
- 3.3
- Growth
- 8.4
- Environment
- 6.7
Questions
What is the best middle school in Columbus, Ohio?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Larson Middle School is the top-rated middle school in Columbus with a composite score of 8.0/10. 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 Columbus, Ohio?
Columbus has 32 middle schools, including 4 charter schools. Of these, 32 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Columbus?
Among 32 Columbus middle schools with a composite score, the average is 5.5/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Ohio).
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 Ohio, 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 Ohio, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Columbus middle school rankings?
Columbus 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 Columbus2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Columbus2026 rankings and ratings
- All 285 schools in ColumbusElementary, middle and high
- Ohio schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings