Best Middle Schools
in Phoenix, Arizona
We ranked all 47 middle schools in Phoenix. The top 25 scored between 5.9 and 7.8 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Arizona education data
Phoenix's middle school landscape spans 46 ranked schools, with performance ranging considerably across the metro. Desert Foothills Middle School leads the field at 7.8 out of 10, followed closely by Imagine East Mesa Middle and Explorer Middle School. Only 6 schools — 13% of the ranked pool — clear the 7-point mark, which makes that upper tier a meaningful filter for families prioritizing academics. The average composite score sits at 5.9 out of 10, a reminder that school quality varies sharply depending on neighborhood and district. Phoenix draws from a mix of traditional district schools and charter options, so sorting by score, school type, or location in the table below can quickly surface which campuses align with what you're looking for. Whether you're zoned to a specific area or have flexibility to choose, the data gives you a direct side-by-side comparison to work from.
Desert Foothills Middle School
Imagine East Mesa Middle
Explorer Middle School
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Phoenix's Middle Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Arizona so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desert Foothills Middle School Washington Elementary School District (4260) | 7.8 |
| 2 | Imagine East Mesa Middle Charter Imagine Middle at East Mesa Inc. (88369) | 7.5 |
| 3 | Explorer Middle School Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 7.4 |
| 4 | Ingleside Middle School Scottsdale Unified District (4240) | 7.4 |
| 5 | Marc T. Atkinson Middle School & Gifted Academy Cartwright Elementary District (4282) | 7.3 |
| 6 | Royal Palm Middle School Washington Elementary School District (4260) | 7.3 |
| 7 | Isaac Middle School Isaac Elementary District (4259) | 6.9 |
| 8 | Cholla Middle School Washington Elementary School District (4260) | 6.9 |
| 9 | Vista College Prep Sueno Park Charter Vista College Preparatory Inc. (91948) | 6.8 |
| 10 | Morris K. Udall Escuela de Bellas Artes Isaac Elementary District (4259) | 6.8 |
| 11 | Mountain Sky Middle School Washington Elementary School District (4260) | 6.8 |
| 12 | Kyrene Akimel A-Al Middle School Kyrene Elementary District (4267) | 6.7 |
| 13 | Mountain Trail Middle School Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 6.6 |
| 14 | Kyrene Altadena Middle School Kyrene Elementary District (4267) | 6.5 |
| 15 | Shea Middle School Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 6.4 |
| 16 | Deer Valley Middle School Deer Valley Unified District (4246) | 6.4 |
| 17 | Estrella Middle School Cartwright Elementary District (4282) | 6.3 |
| 18 | Echo Mountain Intermediate School Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 6.3 |
| 19 | Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism Cartwright Elementary District (4282) | 6.2 |
| 20 | Madison Park School Madison Elementary District (4270) | 6.2 |
| 21 | South Pointe Junior High School Charter Kaizen Education Foundation dba South Pointe Junio (78965) | 6.1 |
| 22 | Imagine Cortez Park Middle Charter Cortez Park Charter Middle School Inc. (79988) | 6.0 |
| 23 | Greenway Middle School Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 6.0 |
| 24 | Granada Elementary School-East Campus Alhambra Elementary District (4280) | 5.9 |
| 25 | Sevilla Elementary School-West Campus Alhambra Elementary District (4280) | 5.9 |
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.
Map: Top 25 Middle Schools in Phoenix
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Phoenix's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in Phoenix
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Phoenix's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in Arizona, with 47 schools spanning 178 school districts, plus 11 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 Phoenix, Arizona?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Desert Foothills Middle School is the top-rated middle school in Phoenix with a composite score of 7.8/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many middle schools are in Phoenix, Arizona?
Phoenix has 47 middle schools, including 11 charter schools. Of these, 46 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Phoenix?
The average composite score for Phoenix middle schools is 5.9/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Arizona).
How does MySchoolScout rate middle schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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 Phoenix middle school rankings?
Yes. Phoenix has 11 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.