Best Middle Schools
in Kansas City, Missouri
We ranked the 27 middle schools in Kansas City with real test data. The top 25 scored between 4.2 and 8.9 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Missouri education data
The short answer
The top-rated middle schools in Kansas City for 2026 are Frontier Schl of Innovation-m (8.9/10), University Academy-middle (8.8/10), and Walden Middle (8.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 27 rated middle schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a middle school in Kansas City?
Every middle school in Kansas City 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.
Frontier Schl of Innovation-m
Kansas City, MO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
University Academy-middle
Kansas City, MO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Walden Middle
Kansas City, MO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Kansas City's middle school landscape spans 27 ranked schools, with performance ranging widely across the metro. At the top, Frontier School of Innovation-M and Lakeview Middle share the highest composite score at 8.6/10 — a strong mark in a field where the average sits at 6.5/10. That gap signals real differentiation between schools, making it worth looking beyond name recognition when choosing. Ten schools — 37% of those ranked — clear the 7/10 threshold, giving families a solid pool of higher-performing options to consider. Walden Middle, Congress Middle, and Kansas City Girls Prep Middle round out the top five, each bringing distinct programming to the table. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other key metrics to find the right fit. Use it to cut through the noise and focus on the schools that match what matters most to your family.
Frontier Schl of Innovation-m
University Academy-middle
Walden Middle
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Kansas City'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 Missouri so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 27 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frontier Schl of Innovation-m Charter FRONTIER SCHOOLS | 8.9 |
| 2 | University Academy-middle Charter UNIVERSITY ACADEMY | 8.8 |
| 3 | Walden Middle PARK HILL | 8.6 |
| 4 | Lincoln College Academy Middle KANSAS CITY 33 | 7.7 |
| 5 | Kansas City Girls Prep Middle Charter KANSAS CITY GIRLS PREP ACADEMY | 7.6 |
| 6 | Gateway 6th Grade Center NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 7.5 |
| 7 | Northgate Middle NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 7.4 |
| 8 | Guadalupe Centers Middle Charter GUADALUPE CENTERS SCHOOLS | 6.8 |
| 9 | Maple Park Middle NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 6.8 |
| 10 | Lakeview Middle PARK HILL | 6.7 |
| 11 | Hickman Mills 6th 7th Gr Ctr HICKMAN MILLS C-1 | 6.5 |
| 12 | Allen Village Junior Academy Charter ALLEN VILLAGE | 6.4 |
| 13 | Center Middle CENTER 58 | 6.4 |
| 14 | Middle School Charter CITIZENS OF THE WORLD CHARTER | 6.3 |
| 15 | Ewing Marion Kauffman Middle Charter EWING MARION KAUFFMAN SCHOOL | 6.2 |
| 16 | Academie Lafayette Armour Ims Charter ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE | 6.1 |
| 17 | Brookside Charter Middle Schl Charter BROOKSIDE CHARTER SCH. | 6.0 |
| 18 | Eastgate 6th Grade Center NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 5.9 |
| 19 | Raytown Middle RAYTOWN C-2 | 5.7 |
| 20 | Plaza Middle PARK HILL | 5.2 |
| 21 | Congress Middle PARK HILL | 5.0 |
| 22 | New Mark Middle NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 4.9 |
| 23 | Frontier Schl of Excellence-m Charter FRONTIER SCHOOLS | 4.3 |
| 24 | Central Middle School KANSAS CITY 33 | 4.3 |
| 25 | Northeast Middle School KANSAS CITY 33 | 4.2 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Missouri education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Missouri. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Middle Schools in Kansas City
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Kansas City's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in Kansas City
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Kansas City's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in Missouri, with 27 schools spanning 32 school districts, plus 11 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 Kansas City, Missouri?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Frontier Schl of Innovation-m is the top-rated middle school in Kansas City with a composite score of 8.9/10. 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 Kansas City, Missouri?
Kansas City has 27 middle schools, including 11 charter schools. Of these, 27 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Kansas City?
The average composite score for Kansas City middle schools is 6.2/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Missouri).
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 Missouri, 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 Missouri, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Kansas City middle school rankings?
Yes. Kansas City has 11 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.