Best Middle Schools
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We ranked the 21 middle schools in Philadelphia with real test data. The top 21 scored between 1.5 and 7.2 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Pennsylvania education data
The short answer
The top-rated middle schools in Philadelphia for 2026 are St James School (7.2/10), Science Leadership Academy MS (7.1/10), and Hope Partnership for Education (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 21 rated middle schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a middle school in Philadelphia?
Every middle school in Philadelphia 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.
St James School
Philadelphia, PA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Science Leadership Academy MS
Philadelphia, PA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Hope Partnership for Education
Philadelphia, PA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Philadelphia's middle school landscape spans 18 ranked schools, with composite scores ranging across a competitive field — though only one school clears the 7-out-of-10 threshold. That distinction belongs to AMY NW, which leads the city at 7.2/10, a full half-point ahead of second-ranked Science Leadership Academy Middle School at 6.7/10. Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School and Clemente Roberto Middle School round out the upper tier, while the citywide average sits at 5.4/10. That gap between the top performer and the average signals meaningful variation across Philadelphia's ranked middle schools — making school-by-school comparison worth the effort. The table below lets you sort by composite score, school type, and other key metrics to find the best fit for your student. Whether you're weighing academics, location, or school model, the data here gives you a concrete starting point.
Score Distribution
Where the top 21 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Philadelphia'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 Pennsylvania so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 21 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St James School | 7.2 |
| 2 | Science Leadership Academy MS Philadelphia City SD | 7.1 |
| 3 | Hope Partnership for Education | 6.9 |
| 4 | Nazareth Academy Grade School | 6.7 |
| 5 | Tilden William T MS Philadelphia City SD | 5.9 |
| 6 | Baldi C C a MS Philadelphia City SD | 5.6 |
| 7 | Memphis Street Academy Cs @ Jp Jones Charter Memphis Street Academy CS @ JP Jones | 5.1 |
| 8 | Universal Vare Cs Charter Universal Vare CS | 4.5 |
| 9 | Feltonville Sch of Arts & Sciences Philadelphia City SD | 4.5 |
| 10 | Clemente Roberto MS Philadelphia City SD | 4.4 |
| 11 | Harding Warren G MS Philadelphia City SD | 4.3 |
| 12 | Washington Grover JR Sch Philadelphia City SD | 4.2 |
| 13 | Amy Nw Philadelphia City SD | 4.1 |
| 14 | Middle Years Alternative Philadelphia City SD | 3.9 |
| 15 | Richard Allen Preparatory Cs Charter Richard Allen Preparatory CS | 3.7 |
| 16 | Conwell Russell MS Philadelphia City SD | 3.7 |
| 17 | Young Scholars Cs Charter Young Scholars CS | 3.3 |
| 18 | Castor Gardens MS Philadelphia City SD | 3.3 |
| 19 | Amy at Martin Philadelphia City SD | 2.9 |
| 20 | Wagner Gen Louis MS Philadelphia City SD | 2.2 |
| 21 | John B Stetson MS Philadelphia City SD | 1.5 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Pennsylvania education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Pennsylvania. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 21 Middle Schools in Philadelphia
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Philadelphia's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in Philadelphia
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Philadelphia's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in Pennsylvania, with 21 schools spanning 83 school districts, plus 4 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, St James School is the top-rated middle school in Philadelphia with a composite score of 7.2/10. 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia has 21 middle schools, including 4 charter schools. Of these, 21 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Philadelphia?
The average composite score for Philadelphia middle schools is 4.5/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Pennsylvania).
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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Philadelphia middle school rankings?
Yes. Philadelphia has 4 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.