The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Washington for 2026 are Washington Latin Pcs - Anna Julia Cooper MS (9.3/10), The Sojourner Truth School Pcs (9.3/10), and Deal MS (8.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 43 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Washington, D.C. has 43 ranked middle schools, giving families a wide range of options across the district. Performance varies considerably — the average composite score sits at 6.3 out of 10, but the top of the table pulls well above that mark. Paul PCS - MS and The Sojourner Truth School PCS both score 8.9/10, setting the benchmark for middle school performance in the metro. Washington Global PCS, Hardy MS, and Deal MS round out the leading tier. Fourteen schools — about a third of the ranked list — score 7 or higher, so strong options are not limited to a single standout. Charter schools are well represented among the top performers, which means families should look beyond traditional district boundaries when comparing choices. Use the table below to sort by score, school type, or other factors to find the best fit for your student.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.3
- 29.3
- 38.6
- 48.6
- 58.2
- 68.0
- 77.9
- 87.9
- 97.7
- 107.6
All 43 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 43
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Washington Latin Pcs - Anna Julia Cooper MScharterWashington Latin Pcsstudents 285student-teacher ratio 10.6:1grades 5th–7th
- 2The Sojourner Truth School PcscharterThe Sojourner Truth School Pcsstudents 284student-teacher ratio 11.4:1grades 6th–10th
- 3Deal MSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsstudents 1,420student-teacher ratio 12.7:1grades 6th–8th
- 4Dc Prep Pcs - Anacostia MScharterDc Prep Pcsstudents 265student-teacher ratio 10.6:1grades 4th–7th
- 5Hardy MSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsstudents 602student-teacher ratio 14.7:1grades 6th–8th
- 6Washington Global PcscharterWashington Global Pcsstudents 219student-teacher ratio 12.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 7Macfarland MSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsstudents 499student-teacher ratio 9.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 8Ida B. Wells MSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsstudents 540student-teacher ratio 11.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 9Brookland MSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsstudents 370student-teacher ratio 11.2:1grades 6th–8th
- 10Friendship Pcs - Ideal MiddlecharterFriendship Pcsstudents 172student-teacher ratio 10.8:1grades 4th–8th
- 11Friendship Pcs - Armstrong MiddlecharterFriendship Pcsstudents 198student-teacher ratio 7.1:1grades 4th–8th
- 12Friendship Pcs - Woodridge International MiddlecharterFriendship Pcsstudents 214student-teacher ratio 7.6:1grades 4th–8th
- 13Friendship Pcs - Southeast MiddlecharterFriendship Pcsstudents 326student-teacher ratio 14.2:1grades 4th–8th
- 14Mckinley MSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsstudents 263student-teacher ratio 11.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 15Friendship Pcs - Blow Pierce MiddlecharterFriendship Pcsstudents 237student-teacher ratio 7.9:1grades 4th–8th
- 16Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys PcscharterStatesmen College Preparatory Academy For Boys Pcsstudents 307student-teacher ratio 13.3:1grades 4th–8th
- 17Social Justice PcscharterSocial Justice Pcsstudents 124student-teacher ratio 7.8:1grades 5th–8th
- 18Eliot-Hine MSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsstudents 374student-teacher ratio 13.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 19Washington Latin Pcs - MScharterWashington Latin Pcsstudents 393student-teacher ratio 17.1:1grades 5th–8th
- 20Stuart-Hobson MS (capitol Hill Cluster)District of Columbia Public Schoolsstudents 453student-teacher ratio 14.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 21Jefferson MS AcademyDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsstudents 406student-teacher ratio 14.0:1grades 6th–8th
- 22Digital Pioneers Academy Pcs - JohenningcharterDigital Pioneers Academy Pcsstudents 312student-teacher ratio 10.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 23Dc Prep Pcs - Edgewood MScharterDc Prep Pcsstudents 300student-teacher ratio 9.1:1grades 4th–8th
- 24Dc Prep Pcs - Benning MScharterDc Prep Pcsstudents 311student-teacher ratio 10.4:1grades 4th–8th
- 25Hart MSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsstudents 367student-teacher ratio 12.2:1grades 6th–8th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and D.C. education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in D.C.. 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
Washington Latin Pcs - Anna Julia Cooper MS
Washington Latin Pcs
285 students · 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–7th
Top 2% in D.C. · charter
- Academics
- 9.4
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- 9.1
- 2
The Sojourner Truth School Pcs
The Sojourner Truth School Pcs
284 students · 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–10th
Top 2% in D.C. · charter
- Academics
- 8.5
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 9.6
- 3
Deal MS
District of Columbia Public Schools
1,420 students · 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 8% in D.C.
- Academics
- 9.8
- Growth
- 7.2
- Environment
- 9.0
- 4
Dc Prep Pcs - Anacostia MS
Dc Prep Pcs
265 students · 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 4th–7th
Top 9% in D.C. · charter
- Academics
- 7.6
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 8.0
- 5
Hardy MS
District of Columbia Public Schools
602 students · 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 15% in D.C.
- Academics
- 9.4
- Growth
- 7.9
- Environment
- 7.0
- 6
Washington Global Pcs
Washington Global Pcs
219 students · 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 19% in D.C. · charter
- Academics
- 7.6
- Growth
- 9.6
- Environment
- 6.1
- 7
Macfarland MS
District of Columbia Public Schools
499 students · 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 20% in D.C.
- Academics
- 7.8
- Growth
- 9.6
- Environment
- 5.2
- 8
Ida B. Wells MS
District of Columbia Public Schools
540 students · 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 20% in D.C.
- Academics
- 7.4
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 5.9
- 9
Brookland MS
District of Columbia Public Schools
370 students · 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 23% in D.C.
- Academics
- 5.8
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 7.5
- 10
Friendship Pcs - Ideal Middle
Friendship Pcs
172 students · 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 4th–8th
Top 24% in D.C. · charter
- Academics
- 7.7
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 3.5
Questions
What is the best middle school in Washington, D.C.?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Washington Latin Pcs - Anna Julia Cooper MS is the top-rated middle school in Washington with a composite score of 9.3/10. 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 Washington, D.C.?
Washington has 46 middle schools, including 29 charter schools. Of these, 46 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Washington?
Among 46 Washington middle schools with a composite score, the average is 6.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in D.C.).
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 D.C., 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 D.C., not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Washington middle school rankings?
Washington has 29 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 Washington2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Washington2026 rankings and ratings
- All 300 schools in WashingtonElementary, middle and high
- D.C. schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings