The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Minneapolis for 2026 are Anthony Middle (8.3/10), Sanford Middle (7.8/10), and Justice Page Middle (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 19 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Minneapolis has 19 ranked middle schools, with composite scores ranging across a meaningful spread — the average sits at 5.5 out of 10, but the top tier pulls well above that. Banaadir Academy leads the list at 7.8, followed closely by Anthony Middle at 7.7 and Sanford Middle at 7.5. Only three schools — 16% of the ranked pool — clear the 7-point threshold, making that upper tier genuinely competitive. The table below covers all 19 schools and lets you sort by the metrics that matter most to your family. Score gaps between schools can reflect differences in academic performance, student growth, and equity measures, so it's worth looking beyond the headline number. Whether you're comparing neighborhood schools or exploring options across the city, the data here gives you a consistent baseline to work from.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 18.3
- 27.8
- 37.4
- 46.9
- 56.7
- 66.1
- 76.1
- 86.0
- 96.0
- 105.8
All 19 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.All 19
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Anthony MiddleMinneapolis Public School Districtstudents 735student-teacher ratio 21.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 2Sanford MiddleMinneapolis Public School Districtstudents 705student-teacher ratio 18.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 3Justice Page MiddleMinneapolis Public School Districtstudents 939student-teacher ratio 20.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 4Banaadir AcademycharterMinnesota Transitions Charter Schstudents 39student-teacher ratio 9.8:1grades 5th–6th
- 5Mn International Middle Chr SchoolcharterTwin Cities International Schoolsstudents 334student-teacher ratio 17.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 6Aurora Middle SchoolcharterAurora Charter Schoolstudents 187student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades 5th–8th
- 7Andersen MiddleMinneapolis Public School Districtstudents 1,045student-teacher ratio 17.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 8Hiawatha College Prep - NorthropcharterHiawatha Academiesstudents 409student-teacher ratio 13.2:1grades 5th–8th
- 9Venture Academy Middle SchoolcharterVenture Academystudents 116student-teacher ratio 12.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 10Friendship Academy of Arts - IntermcharterFriendship Academy of the Artsstudents 146student-teacher ratio 18.2:1grades 3rd–8th
- 11Set Academy MiddlecharterMetro Schools Charterstudents 255student-teacher ratio 63.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 12Northeast MiddleMinneapolis Public School Districtstudents 522student-teacher ratio 18.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 13Olson MiddleMinneapolis Public School Districtstudents 308student-teacher ratio 11.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 14Hennepin Schools Upper CampuscharterHennepin Schoolsstudents 194student-teacher ratio 17.6:1grades 5th–8th
- 15Kipp North Star AcademycharterKipp Minnesota Charter Schoolstudents 122student-teacher ratio 15.2:1grades 5th–8th
- 16Anwatin MiddleMinneapolis Public School Districtstudents 281student-teacher ratio 12.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 17Hiawatha College Prep - KingfieldcharterHiawatha Academiesstudents 74student-teacher ratio 7.4:1grades 8th–8th
- 18Franklin MiddleMinneapolis Public School Districtstudents 291student-teacher ratio 12.7:1grades 6th–8th
- 19Cva Fusion Middle School (6-8)charterCyber Village Academystudents 40student-teacher ratio 13.3:1grades 6th–8th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Minnesota education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Minnesota. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 19 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Anthony Middle
Minneapolis Public School District
735 students · 21.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 8% in Minnesota
- Academics
- 9.0
- Growth
- 9.6
- Environment
- 5.3
- 2
Sanford Middle
Minneapolis Public School District
705 students · 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 15% in Minnesota
- Academics
- 7.6
- Growth
- 9.6
- Environment
- 5.3
- 3
Justice Page Middle
Minneapolis Public School District
939 students · 20.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 22% in Minnesota
- Academics
- 7.4
- Growth
- 8.6
- Environment
- 5.4
- 4
Banaadir Academy
Minnesota Transitions Charter Sch
39 students · 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–6th
Top 33% in Minnesota · charter
- Academics
- 5.7
- Growth
- 6.4
- Environment
- 9.5
- 5
Mn International Middle Chr School
Twin Cities International Schools
334 students · 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 38% in Minnesota · charter
- Academics
- 6.2
- Growth
- 8.9
- Environment
- 4.0
- 6
Aurora Middle School
Aurora Charter School
187 students · 17.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 54% in Minnesota · charter
- Academics
- 2.6
- Growth
- 8.6
- Environment
- 6.9
- 7
Andersen Middle
Minneapolis Public School District
1,045 students · 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 56% in Minnesota
- Academics
- 4.2
- Growth
- 7.8
- Environment
- 6.0
- 8
Hiawatha College Prep - Northrop
Hiawatha Academies
409 students · 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 57% in Minnesota · charter
- Academics
- 3.8
- Growth
- 5.8
- Environment
- 9.3
- 9
Venture Academy Middle School
Venture Academy
116 students · 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 57% in Minnesota · charter
- Academics
- 2.8
- Growth
- 8.5
- Environment
- 6.4
- 10
Friendship Academy of Arts - Interm
Friendship Academy of the Arts
146 students · 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 3rd–8th
Top 62% in Minnesota · charter
- Academics
- 3.5
- Growth
- 8.7
- Environment
- 4.4
Questions
What is the best middle school in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Anthony Middle is the top-rated middle school in Minneapolis with a composite score of 8.3/10. 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 Minneapolis, Minnesota?
Minneapolis has 19 middle schools, including 11 charter schools. Of these, 19 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Minneapolis?
Among 19 Minneapolis middle schools with a composite score, the average is 5.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Minnesota).
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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Minneapolis middle school rankings?
Minneapolis has 11 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 Minneapolis2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Minneapolis2026 rankings and ratings
- All 170 schools in MinneapolisElementary, middle and high
- Minnesota schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings