Best Middle Schools
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
We ranked the 11 middle schools in Milwaukee with real test data. The top 11 scored between 3.0 and 9.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Wisconsin education data
The short answer
The top-rated middle schools in Milwaukee for 2026 are Bayside Middle (9.6/10), United Community Center Acosta Middle School (7.6/10), and Andrew S Douglas Middle (7.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 rated middle schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a middle school in Milwaukee?
Every middle school in Milwaukee 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.
Bayside Middle
Milwaukee, WI. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
United Community Center Acosta Middle School
Milwaukee, WI. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Andrew S Douglas Middle
Milwaukee, WI. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Milwaukee's middle school landscape spans a wide performance range across 10 ranked schools, with scores running from the mid-fives to a high of 9.3 out of 10. Bayside Middle leads the field by a significant margin, sitting more than half a point above the next-closest school. Only two schools — 20% of the ranked group — clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold, which puts the average composite score of 6.0 in sharper relief. That gap between top and middle matters for families weighing options across the metro. Carmen Middle School South and Roosevelt Middle represent the next tier down, while United Community Center Acosta Middle School and Wedgewood Park round out the lower half of the rankings. Use the table below to sort by the metrics that matter most to you — whether that's academic performance, school type, or location — and compare schools side by side.
Bayside Middle
United Community Center Acosta Middle School
Andrew S Douglas Middle
Score Distribution
Where the top 11 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Milwaukee'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 Wisconsin so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 11 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayside Middle Fox Point J2 School District | 9.6 |
| 2 | United Community Center Acosta Middle School Charter United Community Center Inc | 7.6 |
| 3 | Andrew S Douglas Middle Milwaukee School District | 7.1 |
| 4 | King International Baccalaureate Middle Milwaukee School District | 6.6 |
| 5 | Carmen Middle School South Charter Carmen High School of Science and Technology Inc | 6.2 |
| 6 | Roosevelt Middle Milwaukee School District | 5.7 |
| 7 | Notre Dame School of Milwaukee | 5.4 |
| 8 | Lincoln Middle Milwaukee School District | 4.9 |
| 9 | Wedgewood Park School Milwaukee School District | 4.1 |
| 10 | Audubon Technology and Communication Middle Milwaukee School District | 3.4 |
| 11 | Morse Mid Milwaukee School District | 3.0 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Wisconsin education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Wisconsin. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 11 Middle Schools in Milwaukee
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Milwaukee's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in Milwaukee
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Milwaukee's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in Wisconsin, with 12 schools spanning 16 school districts, plus 2 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Bayside Middle is the top-rated middle school in Milwaukee with a composite score of 9.6/10. 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
Milwaukee has 12 middle schools, including 2 charter schools. Of these, 11 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Milwaukee?
The average composite score for Milwaukee middle schools is 5.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Wisconsin).
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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Milwaukee middle school rankings?
Yes. Milwaukee has 2 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.