Best Middle Schools
in Houston, Texas
We ranked the 143 middle schools in Houston with real test data. The top 25 scored between 7.3 and 9.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Texas education data
The short answer
The top-rated middle schools in Houston for 2026 are Young Womens Leadership Academy (9.6/10), Cornerstone Academy (9.6/10), and Project Chrysalis Middle (9.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 143 rated middle schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a middle school in Houston?
Every middle school in Houston 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.
Young Womens Leadership Academy
Houston, TX. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Cornerstone Academy
Houston, TX. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Project Chrysalis Middle
Houston, TX. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Houston's middle school landscape spans 141 ranked schools, giving families real choices — but also real variation. The average composite score across the metro sits at 5.6/10, meaning the gap between a typical school and a top performer is significant. Cornerstone Academy leads the field at 8.2/10, followed closely by Killough Middle at 8.1 and Spring Oaks Middle at 7.9. Only 17 schools — about 12% of the total — score 7 or above, so that tier is genuinely competitive to reach. The table below lets you sort by overall score, test performance, and other key metrics to find the schools that match what matters most to your family. Whether you're weighing a neighborhood school against a magnet option or comparing districts across the metro, the data gives you a consistent baseline to work from.
Young Womens Leadership Academy
Cornerstone Academy
Project Chrysalis Middle
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Houston'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 Texas so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 143 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Young Womens Leadership Academy ALDINE ISD | 9.6 |
| 2 | Cornerstone Academy Charter SPRING BRANCH ISD | 9.6 |
| 3 | Project Chrysalis Middle HOUSTON ISD | 9.2 |
| 4 | Edward Roberson Middle SPRING ISD | 9.1 |
| 5 | Spring Leadership Academy SPRING ISD | 9.0 |
| 6 | Harmony School of Innovation - Houston Charter HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - HOUSTON SOUTH | 8.7 |
| 7 | Memorial Middle SPRING BRANCH ISD | 8.7 |
| 8 | Spring Branch Middle SPRING BRANCH ISD | 8.3 |
| 9 | Friends for Life Middle Charter AMIGOS POR VIDA-FRIENDS FOR LIFE PUB CHTR SCH | 8.2 |
| 10 | Hogg Middle HOUSTON ISD | 8.2 |
| 11 | Kipp Sharpstown College Prep Charter KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 8.1 |
| 12 | Lanier Middle HOUSTON ISD | 8.1 |
| 13 | Salyards Middle CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS ISD | 7.9 |
| 14 | Melillo Middle PASADENA ISD | 7.9 |
| 15 | Springwoods Village Middle SPRING ISD | 7.9 |
| 16 | Yes Prep - Hobby Charter YES PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS INC | 7.8 |
| 17 | Baylor College of Medicine Biotech Academy at Rusk HOUSTON ISD | 7.8 |
| 18 | Morris Middle PASADENA ISD | 7.7 |
| 19 | Kipp Academy Middle Charter KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7.6 |
| 20 | Beverly Hills Int PASADENA ISD | 7.6 |
| 21 | North Shore Middle GALENA PARK ISD | 7.5 |
| 22 | Woodland Acres Middle GALENA PARK ISD | 7.4 |
| 23 | A+ Unlimited Potential - University Charter A+ UNLIMITED POTENTIAL | 7.3 |
| 24 | Yellowstone College Preparatory Charter YELLOWSTONE COLLEGE PREPARATORY | 7.3 |
| 25 | Aragon Middle CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS ISD | 7.3 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Texas education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Texas. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Middle Schools in Houston
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Houston's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in Houston
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Houston's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in Texas, with 146 schools spanning 55 school districts, plus 33 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 Houston, Texas?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Young Womens Leadership Academy is the top-rated middle school in Houston 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 Houston, Texas?
Houston has 146 middle schools, including 33 charter schools. Of these, 143 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Houston?
The average composite score for Houston middle schools is 5.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Texas).
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 Texas, 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 Texas, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Houston middle school rankings?
Yes. Houston has 33 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.