Best Middle Schools
in New York, New York
We ranked the 49 middle schools in New York with real test data. The top 25 scored between 6.5 and 9.0 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and New York education data
The short answer
The top-rated middle schools in New York for 2026 are Ballet Tech/nyc Public School for Dance (9.0/10), Nyc Lab MS for Collaborative Studies (8.9/10), and East Side Middle School (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 49 rated middle schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a middle school in New York?
Every middle school in New York 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.
Ballet Tech/nyc Public School for Dance
New York, NY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Nyc Lab MS for Collaborative Studies
New York, NY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
East Side Middle School
New York, NY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
New York City's middle school landscape spans 42 ranked schools, with performance ranging from a metro average of 6.5/10 to a high of 9.2/10 at University Neighborhood Middle School, the city's top-ranked middle school. Close behind sit Ballet Tech/NYC Public School for Dance at 8.9/10 and Yorkville East Middle School at 8.6/10 — both well above the field. The spread here is meaningful. While 18 schools, or 43% of the ranked total, clear the 7/10 threshold, a significant portion of the metro falls below that mark — so school selection carries real weight. The top of the table skews toward specialized programs, including arts-focused schools like MS 224 Manhattan East School for Arts & Academics and Renaissance School of the Arts. Use the table below to sort by score, school type, or neighborhood to find the right fit.
Ballet Tech/nyc Public School for Dance
Nyc Lab MS for Collaborative Studies
East Side Middle School
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked New York'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 New York so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 49 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ballet Tech/nyc Public School for Dance NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 9.0 |
| 2 | Nyc Lab MS for Collaborative Studies NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.9 |
| 3 | East Side Middle School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.8 |
| 4 | Lower Manhattan Community Middle School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.8 |
| 5 | Yorkville East Middle School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.8 |
| 6 | Jhs 167 Robert F Wagner NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.5 |
| 7 | Jhs 54 Booker T Washington NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 8.5 |
| 8 | Is 289 NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.4 |
| 9 | MS 245 Computer School (the) NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 8.4 |
| 10 | MS 255 Salk School of Science NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.3 |
| 11 | Lafayette Academy NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 8.2 |
| 12 | Jhs 104 Simon Baruch NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 7.9 |
| 13 | MS 243 Center School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 7.6 |
| 14 | Mott Hall School (the) NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6 | 7.6 |
| 15 | Kipp Beyond Charter School Charter KIPP BEYOND CHARTER SCHOOL | 7.5 |
| 16 | MS 131 NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 7.4 |
| 17 | Cornelia Connelly Center | 7.4 |
| 18 | Shefa School | 7.2 |
| 19 | Hamilton Grange Middle School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6 | 7.0 |
| 20 | East Harlem School at Exodus House | 7.0 |
| 21 | De La Salle Academy | 6.9 |
| 22 | Windward School the - Nyc | 6.7 |
| 23 | West Prep Academy NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 6.6 |
| 24 | Isaac Newton Middle School for Math and Science NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 | 6.5 |
| 25 | Is 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6 | 6.5 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and New York education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in New York. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Middle Schools in New York
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: New York's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in New York
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. New York's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in New York, with 51 schools spanning 59 school districts, plus 3 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 New York, New York?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Ballet Tech/nyc Public School for Dance is the top-rated middle school in New York 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 New York, New York?
New York has 51 middle schools, including 3 charter schools. Of these, 49 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in New York?
The average composite score for New York middle schools is 6.5/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in New York).
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 New York, 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 New York, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the New York middle school rankings?
Yes. New York has 3 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.