Best Middle Schools
in Kansas City, Missouri
We ranked all 27 middle schools in Kansas City. The top 25 scored between 4.8 and 8.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Missouri education data
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
LAKEVIEW 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 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 Missouri so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FRONTIER SCHL OF INNOVATION-M Charter FRONTIER SCHOOLS | 8.6 |
| 2 | LAKEVIEW MIDDLE PARK HILL | 8.6 |
| 3 | WALDEN MIDDLE PARK HILL | 8.4 |
| 4 | CONGRESS MIDDLE PARK HILL | 8.2 |
| 5 | KANSAS CITY GIRLS PREP MIDDLE Charter KANSAS CITY GIRLS PREP ACADEMY | 8.0 |
| 6 | GUADALUPE CENTERS MIDDLE Charter GUADALUPE CENTERS SCHOOLS | 7.8 |
| 7 | PLAZA MIDDLE PARK HILL | 7.8 |
| 8 | MIDDLE SCHOOL Charter CITIZENS OF THE WORLD CHARTER | 7.7 |
| 9 | GATEWAY 6TH GRADE CENTER NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 7.7 |
| 10 | BROOKSIDE CHARTER MIDDLE SCHL Charter BROOKSIDE CHARTER SCH. | 7.4 |
| 11 | HICKMAN MILLS 6TH 7TH GR CTR HICKMAN MILLS C-1 | 6.9 |
| 12 | CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL KANSAS CITY 33 | 6.7 |
| 13 | MAPLE PARK MIDDLE NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 6.5 |
| 14 | NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL KANSAS CITY 33 | 6.4 |
| 15 | EASTGATE 6TH GRADE CENTER NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 5.9 |
| 16 | NORTHGATE MIDDLE NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 5.9 |
| 17 | NEW MARK MIDDLE NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 5.6 |
| 18 | ALLEN VILLAGE JUNIOR ACADEMY Charter ALLEN VILLAGE | 5.5 |
| 19 | UNIVERSITY ACADEMY-MIDDLE Charter UNIVERSITY ACADEMY | 5.4 |
| 20 | LINCOLN COLLEGE ACADEMY MIDDLE KANSAS CITY 33 | 5.4 |
| 21 | HOGAN PREPARATORY ACAD MIDDLE Charter HOGAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY | 5.2 |
| 22 | Ewing Marion Kauffman Middle Charter EWING MARION KAUFFMAN SCHOOL | 5.2 |
| 23 | CENTER MIDDLE CENTER 58 | 5.1 |
| 24 | FRONTIER SCHL OF EXCELLENCE-M Charter FRONTIER SCHOOLS | 4.9 |
| 25 | Academie Lafayette Armour IMS Charter ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE | 4.8 |
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 8.6/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 6.5/10. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.