Best Middle Schools
in San Francisco, California
We ranked all 23 middle schools in San Francisco. The top 19 scored between 3.9 and 8.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
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.
Aptos Middle
Brown Jr. (Willie L) Middle
Giannini (A.P.) 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 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 California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 19 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aptos Middle San Francisco Unified | 8.5 |
| 2 | Brown Jr. (Willie L) Middle San Francisco Unified | 8.4 |
| 3 | Giannini (A.P.) Middle San Francisco Unified | 8.0 |
| 4 | Roosevelt Middle San Francisco Unified | 7.8 |
| 5 | MILLENNIUM SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO | 7.5 |
| 6 | Marina Middle San Francisco Unified | 7.1 |
| 7 | STRATFORD SCHOOL SAN FRANCISCO | 7.1 |
| 8 | Hoover (Herbert) Middle San Francisco Unified | 7.0 |
| 9 | CORNERSTONE ACADEMY-CAMBRIDGE CAMPUS | 6.6 |
| 10 | King Jr. (Martin Luther) Academic Middle San Francisco Unified | 6.5 |
| 11 | Presidio Middle San Francisco Unified | 6.4 |
| 12 | Visitacion Valley Middle San Francisco Unified | 6.4 |
| 13 | KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy Charter KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy District | 6.3 |
| 14 | Gateway Middle Charter Gateway Middle District | 6.1 |
| 15 | Francisco Middle San Francisco Unified | 5.8 |
| 16 | Lick (James) Middle San Francisco Unified | 5.8 |
| 17 | Denman (James) Middle San Francisco Unified | 5.4 |
| 18 | KIPP Bayview Academy Charter KIPP Bayview Academy District | 4.2 |
| 19 | Everett Middle San Francisco Unified | 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, Aptos Middle is the top-rated middle school in San Francisco with a composite score of 8.5/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 6.6/10. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.