The top-rated middle schools in Tampa for 2026 are Liberty Middle School (7.1/10), Coleman Middle School (6.8/10), and Young Middle Magnet School (6.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 25 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Tampa's middle school landscape spans 25 ranked schools, with performance ranging widely across the metro. Terrace Community Middle School leads the field at 7.9 out of 10 — a notable gap above the average composite score of 5.5 — followed by Ferrell Middle Magnet School and a cluster of schools in the mid-sixes. Only two schools, or 8% of the ranked pool, clear the 7-point threshold, which means the upper tier is genuinely competitive. The table below lets you sort by overall score, academic growth, and other key metrics. Magnet programs appear throughout the rankings, giving families options beyond their zoned school. Whether you're weighing test performance, student progress, or proximity, the score spread here is wide enough that school choice can make a meaningful difference. Use the columns to filter what matters most to your family and dig into individual profiles from there.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Florida education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Florida. Learn about our methodology.
Hillsborough
948 students · 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 33% in Florida
Hillsborough
951 students · 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 41% in Florida
Hillsborough
348 students · 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 41% in Florida
Hillsborough
1,200 students · 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 41% in Florida
Hillsborough
847 students · 21.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 44% in Florida
Hillsborough
1,016 students · 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 46% in Florida
Hillsborough
344 students · 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 49% in Florida
Hillsborough
744 students · 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 51% in Florida
Hillsborough
658 students · 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 51% in Florida · charter
Hillsborough
574 students · 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 58% in Florida
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Liberty Middle School is the top-rated middle school in Tampa with a composite score of 7.1/10. 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.
Tampa has 27 middle schools, including 1 charter schools. Of these, 27 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
Among 27 Tampa middle schools with a composite score, the average is 5.4/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Florida).
Schools with enough data receive 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 Florida, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
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 Florida, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Tampa has 1 charter middle schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
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.
Guide
A comprehensive guide to school choice in Florida. Compare public, private, and charter schools using data on test scores, accountability, cost, and outcomes for the 2026-27 school year.