Best Middle Schools
in Los Angeles, California
We ranked all 84 middle schools in Los Angeles. The top 25 scored between 7.6 and 9.2 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
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
Washington Irving Mid Sch Math Music and Engr Magnet
Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle
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 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 California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ICEF Vista Middle Academy Charter ICEF Vista Middle Academy District | 9.2 |
| 2 | Washington Irving Mid Sch Math Music and Engr Magnet Los Angeles Unified | 9.2 |
| 3 | Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle Charter Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle District | 9.0 |
| 4 | John Adams Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.9 |
| 5 | John Burroughs Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.9 |
| 6 | Magnolia Science Academy 6 Charter Magnolia Science Academy 6 District | 8.8 |
| 7 | El Sereno Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.8 |
| 8 | Mark Twain Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.7 |
| 9 | Virgil Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.7 |
| 10 | Para Los Ninos Middle Charter Para Los Ninos Middle District | 8.2 |
| 11 | William Jefferson Clinton Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.2 |
| 12 | Berendo Middle Los Angeles Unified | 8.0 |
| 13 | Emerson Community Charter Charter Los Angeles Unified | 8.0 |
| 14 | Thomas Starr King Middle School Film and Media Magnet Los Angeles Unified | 8.0 |
| 15 | Young Oak Kim Academy Los Angeles Unified | 8.0 |
| 16 | Audubon Middle Los Angeles Unified | 7.9 |
| 17 | Paul Revere Charter Middle Charter Los Angeles Unified | 7.9 |
| 18 | Synergy Kinetic Academy Charter Synergy Kinetic Academy District | 7.8 |
| 19 | Luther Burbank Middle Los Angeles Unified | 7.8 |
| 20 | Griffith Middle Los Angeles Unified | 7.8 |
| 21 | Hollenbeck Middle Los Angeles Unified | 7.8 |
| 22 | Robert Louis Stevenson College and Career Preparatory Los Angeles Unified | 7.8 |
| 23 | Thomas A. Edison Middle Los Angeles Unified | 7.7 |
| 24 | Los Angeles Academy Middle Los Angeles Unified | 7.7 |
| 25 | Animo Florence-Firestone Charter Middle Charter Animo Florence-Firestone Charter Middle District | 7.6 |
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 9.2/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.