The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Memphis for 2026 are University Middle (9.8/10), Maxine Smith Steam Academy (7.8/10), and White Station Middle (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 35 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Memphis ranks 35 middle schools across a metro where performance varies sharply — the average composite score sits at 5.0/10, but University Middle reaches 9.8/10, the highest mark in this pool. That gap signals meaningful differences in academics, climate, and outcomes depending on where a student enrolls. Only five schools, or 14% of the ranked list, clear the 7.0 threshold: University Middle, Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School, Maxine Smith STEAM Academy, KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle, and Craigmont Middle. Charter schools hold a notable presence among those top performers. The table below lets you sort by overall score, individual metrics, or school type so you can zero in on what matters most for your family. Use the scores as a starting point, then dig into the detail pages for a fuller picture of each school.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.8
- 27.8
- 37.5
- 47.4
- 57.1
- 66.7
- 76.0
- 85.4
- 95.0
- 104.9
All 35 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 35
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1University MiddleMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 268student-teacher ratio 10.7:1grades 6th–8th
- 2Maxine Smith Steam AcademyMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 397student-teacher ratio 17.3:1grades 6th–8th
- 3White Station MiddleMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 1,091student-teacher ratio 15.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 4Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter SchoolcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 349student-teacher ratio 13.4:1grades 5th–8th
- 5City University School Girls PreparatorycharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 100student-teacher ratio 12.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 6Kipp Memphis Collegiate MiddlecharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 300student-teacher ratio 13.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 7Craigmont MiddleMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 484student-teacher ratio 15.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 8Raleigh Egypt Middle SchoolMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 488student-teacher ratio 21.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 9Kingsbury MiddleMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 502student-teacher ratio 16.7:1grades 6th–8th
- 10Wooddale Middle SchoolcharterAchievement School Districtstudents 552student-teacher ratio 20.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 11Memphis Scholars Raleigh-EgyptcharterAchievement School Districtstudents 63grades 6th–8th
- 12Power Center Academy Middle - SoutheastcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 315student-teacher ratio 31.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 13Grandview Heights Middle SchoolMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 415student-teacher ratio 18.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 14Veritas College PreparatorycharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 135student-teacher ratio 12.3:1grades 6th–8th
- 15Memphis Business Academy MiddlecharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 426student-teacher ratio 17.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 16Humes Preparatory Academy Middle SchoolcharterAchievement School Districtstudents 192student-teacher ratio 12.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 17Highland Oaks MiddleMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 586student-teacher ratio 18.3:1grades 6th–8th
- 18Kirby Middle SchoolcharterAchievement School Districtstudents 366student-teacher ratio 16.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 19Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle SchoolcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 56student-teacher ratio 11.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 20Colonial MiddleMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 1,088student-teacher ratio 19.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 21Havenview MiddleMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 754student-teacher ratio 21.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 22Ridgeway MiddleMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 557student-teacher ratio 15.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 23Oakhaven MiddleMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 270student-teacher ratio 18.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 24Lester PrepcharterTennessee Public Charter School Commissionstudents 219student-teacher ratio 11.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 25Sherwood MiddleMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 670student-teacher ratio 14.6:1grades 6th–8th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Tennessee education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Tennessee. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
University Middle
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
268 students · 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 1% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 9.5
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 9.8
- 2
Maxine Smith Steam Academy
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
397 students · 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 21% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 9.9
- Growth
- 5.6
- Environment
- 8.5
- 3
White Station Middle
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
1,091 students · 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 26% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 8.6
- Growth
- 6.2
- Environment
- 8.1
- 4
Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
349 students · 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 28% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 5.1
- Growth
- 8.4
- Environment
- 9.0
- 5
City University School Girls Preparatory
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
100 students · 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 35% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 3.1
- Growth
- 9.0
- Environment
- 9.6
- 6
Kipp Memphis Collegiate Middle
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
300 students · 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 44% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 3.4
- Growth
- 9.1
- Environment
- 7.3
- 7
Craigmont Middle
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
484 students · 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 58% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 3.9
- Growth
- 8.8
- Environment
- 4.4
- 8
Raleigh Egypt Middle School
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
488 students · 21.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 71% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 1.8
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 3.7
- 9
Kingsbury Middle
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
502 students · 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 78% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 2.2
- Growth
- 6.3
- Environment
- 7.0
- 10
Wooddale Middle School
Achievement School District
552 students · 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 80% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 1.6
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 2.0
Questions
What is the best middle school in Memphis, Tennessee?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, University Middle is the top-rated middle school in Memphis with a composite score of 9.8/10. 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 Memphis, Tennessee?
Memphis has 35 middle schools, including 14 charter schools. Of these, 35 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Memphis?
Among 35 Memphis middle schools with a composite score, the average is 4.6/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Tennessee).
How does MySchoolScout rate middle schools?
Schools with enough data receive 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Memphis middle school rankings?
Memphis has 14 charter middle schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
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.
Explore more
- Best elementary schools in Memphis2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Memphis2026 rankings and ratings
- All 246 schools in MemphisElementary, middle and high
- Tennessee schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings