Best Middle Schools
in Los Angeles, California
We ranked the 80 middle schools in Los Angeles with real test data. The top 25 scored between 7.5 and 9.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated middle schools in Los Angeles for 2026 are Icef Vista Middle Academy (9.5/10), Magnolia Science Academy 6 (9.3/10), and Washington Irving Mid Sch Math Music and Engr Magnet (9.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 80 rated middle schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a middle school in Los Angeles?
Every middle school in Los Angeles 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.
Icef Vista Middle Academy
Los Angeles, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Magnolia Science Academy 6
Los Angeles, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Washington Irving Mid Sch Math Music and Engr Magnet
Los Angeles, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Los Angeles spans one of the most competitive middle school landscapes in the country, with 79 ranked schools ranging widely in academics, programs, and structure. At the top, ICEF Vista Middle Academy and Washington Irving Mid Sch Math Music and Engr Magnet each earn a 9.2/10 — the highest scores in the metro. Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle, John Adams Middle, and John Burroughs Middle follow close behind, all scoring 8.9 or above. The metro average sits at 6.7/10, but the picture above that line is encouraging: 40 schools — more than half of those ranked — score 7 or higher. That spread means families across Los Angeles have real options worth considering, not just a handful of standouts. Use the table below to sort by score, location, or school type and find the middle schools that fit what you're looking for.
Icef Vista Middle Academy
Magnolia Science Academy 6
Washington Irving Mid Sch Math Music and Engr Magnet
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Los Angeles'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 California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 80 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Icef Vista Middle Academy Charter ICEF Vista Middle Academy District | 9.5 |
| 2 | Magnolia Science Academy 6 Charter Magnolia Science Academy 6 District | 9.3 |
| 3 | Washington Irving Mid Sch Math Music and Engr Magnet Los Angeles Unified | 9.3 |
| 4 | EL Sereno Middle Los Angeles Unified | 9.0 |
| 5 | Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle Charter Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle District | 8.9 |
| 6 | Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet Los Angeles Unified | 8.9 |
| 7 | Luther Burbank Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.8 |
| 8 | Hollenbeck Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.8 |
| 9 | Mark Twain Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.8 |
| 10 | John Adams Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.6 |
| 11 | Virgil Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.6 |
| 12 | Synergy Kinetic Academy Charter Synergy Kinetic Academy District | 8.4 |
| 13 | Paul Revere Charter Middle Charter Los Angeles Unified | 8.4 |
| 14 | Para Los Ninos Middle Charter Para Los Ninos Middle District | 8.3 |
| 15 | Emerson Community Charter Charter Los Angeles Unified | 8.2 |
| 16 | Griffith Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.2 |
| 17 | Robert Louis Stevenson College and Career Preparatory Los Angeles Unified | 8.2 |
| 18 | Florence Nightingale Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.1 |
| 19 | Young Oak Kim Academy Los Angeles Unified | 8.1 |
| 20 | William Jefferson Clinton Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.0 |
| 21 | Alliance College-ready Middle Academy 8 Charter Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 8 District | 7.9 |
| 22 | Animo Florence-firestone Charter Middle Charter Animo Florence-Firestone Charter Middle District | 7.9 |
| 23 | Icef View Park Preparatory Middle Charter ICEF View Park Preparatory Middle District | 7.7 |
| 24 | Monsenor Oscar Romero Charter Middle Charter Monsenor Oscar Romero Charter Middle District | 7.5 |
| 25 | Russell Westbrook Why Not? Middle Charter Russell Westbrook Why Not? Middle District | 7.5 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Middle Schools in Los Angeles
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Los Angeles's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in Los Angeles
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Los Angeles's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 84 schools spanning 174 school districts, plus 42 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 Los Angeles, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Icef Vista Middle Academy is the top-rated middle school in Los Angeles with a composite score of 9.5/10. 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 Los Angeles, California?
Los Angeles has 84 middle schools, including 42 charter schools. Of these, 80 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Los Angeles?
The average composite score for Los Angeles middle schools is 6.7/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
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 California, 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 California, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Los Angeles middle school rankings?
Yes. Los Angeles has 42 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.