Best Middle Schools
in San Francisco, California
We ranked the 19 middle schools in San Francisco with real test data. The top 19 scored between 3.9 and 9.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated middle schools in San Francisco for 2026 are Roosevelt Middle (9.5/10), Giannini (a.p.) Middle (9.0/10), and Aptos Middle (8.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 19 rated middle schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a middle school in San Francisco?
Every middle school in San Francisco 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.
Roosevelt Middle
San Francisco, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Giannini (a.p.) Middle
San Francisco, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Aptos Middle
San Francisco, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
San Francisco's 16 ranked middle schools span a meaningful range of performance, with an average composite score of 6.5/10 across the city. Aptos Middle leads the group at 8.5/10, followed closely by Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle at 8.4 and A.P. Giannini Middle at 8.0 — three schools that sit well above the citywide average. Roosevelt Middle and Marina Middle round out the top five. Roughly 38% of ranked schools — six in total — score 7 or higher, which means strong options exist across multiple neighborhoods, but quality varies considerably depending on where you look. The table below lets you sort by overall score, test performance, and other key metrics so you can compare schools side by side. Use the filters to narrow the list to what matters most for your student.
Roosevelt Middle
Giannini (a.p.) Middle
Aptos Middle
Score Distribution
Where the top 19 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked San Francisco'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 California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 19 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roosevelt Middle San Francisco Unified | 9.5 |
| 2 | Giannini (a.p.) Middle San Francisco Unified | 9.0 |
| 3 | Aptos Middle San Francisco Unified | 8.7 |
| 4 | Hoover (herbert) Middle San Francisco Unified | 8.4 |
| 5 | Brown Jr. (willie L) Middle San Francisco Unified | 8.3 |
| 6 | Francisco Middle San Francisco Unified | 8.3 |
| 7 | Presidio Middle San Francisco Unified | 8.3 |
| 8 | Marina Middle San Francisco Unified | 8.1 |
| 9 | Millennium School of San Francisco | 7.5 |
| 10 | Stratford School San Francisco | 7.1 |
| 11 | Kipp San Francisco Bay Academy Charter KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy District | 7.0 |
| 12 | Gateway Middle Charter Gateway Middle District | 7.0 |
| 13 | King Jr. (martin Luther) Academic Middle San Francisco Unified | 6.8 |
| 14 | Denman (james) Middle San Francisco Unified | 6.6 |
| 15 | Cornerstone Academy-cambridge Campus | 6.6 |
| 16 | Visitacion Valley Middle San Francisco Unified | 6.0 |
| 17 | Everett Middle San Francisco Unified | 5.8 |
| 18 | Lick (james) Middle San Francisco Unified | 4.8 |
| 19 | Kipp Bayview Academy Charter KIPP Bayview Academy District | 3.9 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 19 Middle Schools in San Francisco
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: San Francisco's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in San Francisco
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. San Francisco's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 23 schools spanning 16 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 San Francisco, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Roosevelt Middle is the top-rated middle school in San Francisco with a composite score of 9.5/10. 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 San Francisco, California?
San Francisco has 23 middle schools, including 3 charter schools. Of these, 19 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in San Francisco?
The average composite score for San Francisco middle schools is 7.2/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
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 California, 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 California, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the San Francisco middle school rankings?
Yes. San Francisco has 3 charter middle schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.