The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Mesa for 2026 are Highland JR High School (9.0/10), Asu Preparatory Academy-Polytechnic Middle School (8.8/10), and Desert Ridge Jr. High (8.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 13 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Mesa has 13 ranked middle schools, with scores ranging from the mid-4s to a high of 7.8 out of 10. Only one school clears the 7-point mark — Highland Jr. High, the top performer in the city — which tells you the upper tier is competitive but thin. The average composite score across all ranked schools sits at 6.2, meaning most options land in solidly middle ground rather than at the extremes. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other key metrics to find the best fit for your student. Stapley, Smith, Franklin, and Desert Ridge Jr. High round out the top five, clustered within a point of each other between 6.6 and 6.9. That tight grouping near the top suggests meaningful differences may show up in factors beyond the composite score — use the table to dig into what matters most to your family.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.0
- 28.8
- 38.0
- 47.9
- 57.3
- 67.0
- 76.8
- 86.8
- 96.8
- 106.0
All 13 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.All 13
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Highland JR High SchoolGilbert Unified District (4239)students 956student-teacher ratio 16.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 2Asu Preparatory Academy-Polytechnic Middle SchoolcharterAsu Preparatory Academy (92327)students 351grades 5th–8th
- 3Desert Ridge Jr. HighGilbert Unified District (4239)students 950student-teacher ratio 19.4:1grades 7th–8th
- 4Shepherd Junior High SchoolMesa Unified District (4235)students 667student-teacher ratio 20.2:1grades 4th–8th
- 5Poston Junior High SchoolMesa Unified District (4235)students 779student-teacher ratio 18.1:1grades 7th–9th
- 6Stapley Junior High SchoolMesa Unified District (4235)students 946student-teacher ratio 19.3:1grades 7th–9th
- 7Fremont Junior High SchoolMesa Unified District (4235)students 925student-teacher ratio 19.3:1grades 7th–8th
- 8Smith Junior High SchoolMesa Unified District (4235)students 762student-teacher ratio 16.9:1grades 7th–8th
- 9Franklin Junior High SchoolMesa Unified District (4235)students 282student-teacher ratio 25.6:1grades 7th–9th
- 10Taylor Junior High SchoolMesa Unified District (4235)students 869student-teacher ratio 15.8:1grades 7th–9th
- 11Rhodes Junior High SchoolMesa Unified District (4235)students 658student-teacher ratio 17.3:1grades 7th–9th
- 12Carson Junior High SchoolMesa Unified District (4235)students 922student-teacher ratio 16.8:1grades 7th–9th
- 13Kino Junior High SchoolMesa Unified District (4235)students 825student-teacher ratio 18.8:1grades 7th–8th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Arizona education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Arizona. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 13 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Highland JR High School
Gilbert Unified District (4239)
956 students · 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 3% in Arizona
- Academics
- 9.2
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 7.8
- 2
Asu Preparatory Academy-Polytechnic Middle School
Asu Preparatory Academy (92327)
351 students · grades 5th–8th
Top 4% in Arizona · charter
- Academics
- 8.7
- Growth
- 9.2
- Environment
- 8.5
- 3
Desert Ridge Jr. High
Gilbert Unified District (4239)
950 students · 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 15% in Arizona
- Academics
- 8.2
- Growth
- 8.5
- Environment
- 6.8
- 4
Shepherd Junior High School
Mesa Unified District (4235)
667 students · 20.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 4th–8th
Top 17% in Arizona
- Academics
- 7.4
- Growth
- 8.9
- Environment
- 6.8
- 5
Poston Junior High School
Mesa Unified District (4235)
779 students · 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–9th
Top 31% in Arizona
- Academics
- 6.0
- Growth
- 9.1
- Environment
- 6.4
- 6
Stapley Junior High School
Mesa Unified District (4235)
946 students · 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–9th
Top 37% in Arizona
- Academics
- 8.2
- Growth
- 6.0
- Environment
- 7.1
- 7
Fremont Junior High School
Mesa Unified District (4235)
925 students · 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 41% in Arizona
- Academics
- 7.2
- Growth
- 6.6
- Environment
- 6.4
- 8
Smith Junior High School
Mesa Unified District (4235)
762 students · 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 41% in Arizona
- Academics
- 5.0
- Growth
- 8.1
- Environment
- 7.1
- 9
Franklin Junior High School
Mesa Unified District (4235)
282 students · 25.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–9th
Top 41% in Arizona
- Academics
- 9.9
- Growth
- 6.6
- Environment
- 2.9
- 10
Taylor Junior High School
Mesa Unified District (4235)
869 students · 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–9th
Top 59% in Arizona
- Academics
- 5.0
- Growth
- 6.5
- Environment
- 6.8
Questions
What is the best middle school in Mesa, Arizona?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Highland JR High School is the top-rated middle school in Mesa with a composite score of 9.0/10. 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 Mesa, Arizona?
Mesa has 14 middle schools, including 2 charter schools. Of these, 13 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Mesa?
Among 13 Mesa middle schools with a composite score, the average is 7.0/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Arizona).
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 Arizona, 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 Arizona, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Mesa middle school rankings?
Mesa has 2 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 Mesa2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Mesa2026 rankings and ratings
- All 160 schools in MesaElementary, middle and high
- Arizona schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings