The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Tucson for 2026 are Wakefield Middle School (8.7/10), Orange Grove Middle School (8.6/10), and Ida Flood Dodge Traditional Middle Magnet School (8.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 35 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Tucson's 35 ranked middle schools span a wide range of performance, with composite scores running from well below average up to Wakefield Middle School's leading 8.4 out of 10. Wakefield sits roughly 2.2 points above the metro average of 6.2, a gap that signals real differentiation across the market — not just minor variation between schools. That spread matters for families doing serious comparisons. Only 10 schools, about 29% of the ranked pool, clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold, so the top tier is genuinely competitive to land in. Lawrence W Cross Middle School (8.1), Emily Gray Junior High School (8.0), and Esperero Canyon Middle School (7.9) round out the upper tier, clustered closely behind Wakefield. Use the table below to sort by score, school type, or other factors — and filter down to the options that fit your priorities.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 18.7
- 28.6
- 38.4
- 48.0
- 57.8
- 67.7
- 77.6
- 87.6
- 97.3
- 107.1
All 35 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 35
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Wakefield Middle SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 269student-teacher ratio 17.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 2Orange Grove Middle SchoolCatalina Foothills Unified District (4410)students 672student-teacher ratio 19.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 3Ida Flood Dodge Traditional Middle Magnet SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 410student-teacher ratio 14.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 4Emily Gray Junior High SchoolTanque Verde Unified District (4408)students 428student-teacher ratio 17.8:1grades 7th–8th
- 5Lawrence W Cross Middle SchoolAmphitheater Unified District (4406)students 768student-teacher ratio 20.8:1grades 6th–8th
- 6Flowing Wells Junior High SchoolFlowing Wells Unified District (4405)students 764student-teacher ratio 18.6:1grades 7th–8th
- 7Alice Vail Middle SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 573student-teacher ratio 12.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 8Gridley Middle SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 514student-teacher ratio 12.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 9Tortolita Middle SchoolMarana Unified District (4404)students 523student-teacher ratio 14.5:1grades 7th–8th
- 10Future Investment Middle SchoolcharterGriffin Foundation Inc. the (79500)students 30grades 6th–8th
- 11Satori Charter SchoolcharterSatori Inc. (85454)students 106grades 2nd–8th
- 12La Cima Middle SchoolAmphitheater Unified District (4406)students 354student-teacher ratio 13.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 13Esperero Canyon Middle SchoolCatalina Foothills Unified District (4410)students 509student-teacher ratio 18.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 14Gallego Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet SchoolSunnyside Unified District (4407)students 775student-teacher ratio 22.8:1grades 4th–8th
- 15Mansfeld Middle Magnet SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 829student-teacher ratio 16.3:1grades 6th–8th
- 16Magee Middle SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 303student-teacher ratio 10.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 17Desert Sky Middle SchoolVail Unified District (4413)students 761student-teacher ratio 20.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 18Doolen Middle SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 482student-teacher ratio 11.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 19Paulo Freire Freedom School - UniversitycharterCity Center For Collaborative Learning (85448)students 62grades 6th–8th
- 20Valencia Middle SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 644student-teacher ratio 16.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 21Academy of Tucson Middle SchoolcharterAcademy of Tucson Inc. (78897)students 145grades 5th–8th
- 22Las Puertas Community SchoolcharterStrengthbuilding Partners (91992)students 37grades 6th–10th
- 23Billy Lane Lauffer Middle SchoolSunnyside Unified District (4407)students 450student-teacher ratio 21.4:1grades 5th–8th
- 24Anna Lawrence Intermediate SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 251student-teacher ratio 12.0:1grades 3rd–8th
- 25Secrist Middle SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 250student-teacher ratio 9.6:1grades 6th–8th
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.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Wakefield Middle School
Tucson Unified District (4403)
269 students · 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 6% in Arizona
- Academics
- 7.9
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 8.5
- 2
Orange Grove Middle School
Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410)
672 students · 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 6% in Arizona
- Academics
- 9.4
- Growth
- 8.7
- Environment
- 7.2
- 3
Ida Flood Dodge Traditional Middle Magnet School
Tucson Unified District (4403)
410 students · 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 9% in Arizona
- Academics
- 7.5
- Growth
- 8.6
- Environment
- 9.2
- 4
Emily Gray Junior High School
Tanque Verde Unified District (4408)
428 students · 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 16% in Arizona
- Academics
- 8.6
- Growth
- 8.5
- Environment
- 6.5
- 5
Lawrence W Cross Middle School
Amphitheater Unified District (4406)
768 students · 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 19% in Arizona
- Academics
- 8.7
- Growth
- 8.1
- Environment
- 6.2
- 6
Flowing Wells Junior High School
Flowing Wells Unified District (4405)
764 students · 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 21% in Arizona
- Academics
- 7.3
- Growth
- 9.2
- Environment
- 5.9
- 7
Alice Vail Middle School
Tucson Unified District (4403)
573 students · 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 24% in Arizona
- Academics
- 6.5
- Growth
- 8.6
- Environment
- 7.5
- 8
Gridley Middle School
Tucson Unified District (4403)
514 students · 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 24% in Arizona
- Academics
- 6.2
- Growth
- 8.3
- Environment
- 8.4
- 9
Tortolita Middle School
Marana Unified District (4404)
523 students · 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 31% in Arizona
- Academics
- 6.6
- Growth
- 8.2
- Environment
- 6.7
- 10
Future Investment Middle School
Griffin Foundation Inc. the (79500)
30 students · grades 6th–8th
Top 34% in Arizona · charter
- Academics
- 5.6
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 4.4
Questions
What is the best middle school in Tucson, Arizona?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Wakefield Middle School is the top-rated middle school in Tucson with a composite score of 8.7/10. 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 Tucson, Arizona?
Tucson has 36 middle schools, including 7 charter schools. Of these, 36 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Tucson?
Among 36 Tucson middle schools with a composite score, the average is 6.4/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Arizona).
How does MySchoolScout rate middle schools?
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 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 Tucson middle school rankings?
Tucson has 7 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.
How should I use this ranking?
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.
Explore more
- Best elementary schools in Tucson2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Tucson2026 rankings and ratings
- All 340 schools in TucsonElementary, middle and high
- Arizona schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings