2024 Best Middle Schools in New York

The Middle Schools of New York

New York is a great place for families and students. With 3086 middle schools in the state, it's no wonder that New York is a hub for education; the number of middle schools in the state is nearly four times the national average. Despite this abundance of opportunities, the overall grade of all middle schools in New York falls just below average at a B–. Still, 43% of all middle schools in the state are rated above average and 1324 schools boast better-than-average ratings, so parents have plenty of options to choose from.

The typical middle school in New York has an enrollment of 453 students and an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Although this student-to-teacher ratio is 21% lower than the national average, it's worth noting that the average size of a middle school in New York is 11% larger than the typical American middle school. This could indicate that larger classes may be common in some areas and could potentially hinder academic performance.

Public Middle Schools in New York

Public middle schools in New York are abundant and highly represented across the state. Of all middle schools in the state, 65% are public, providing hundreds of opportunities for parents to send their children to a quality public education. On average, these schools have a B– rating, which is on par with the national average but still leaves room for improvement. However, despite this score, parents should pay attention to other metrics such as student-to-teacher ratios and class sizes when choosing which school best fits their needs. Another factor to consider when exploring public middle schools is their enrollment size; public schools in New York have an average enrollment size of 538 students, which is 32% larger than the national average for middle schools. This could be indicative of slightly larger class sizes compared to other states, so families should factor this into their decision-making process if they feel that small class sizes are important for their child's academic success.

Traditional Public Middle Schools

The traditional public school system accounts for 87% of all public middle schools in New York. While this figure is on par with other states, it's important to note that the state's overall grade remains at a B–. However, about 54% of these traditional publics are rated above the national average and 952 exceed expectations. It's also worth noting that these traditional publics have an enrollment size of 522 students per school — 28% higher than the national average — so families may need to consider if larger class sizes are suitable for their child's learning style.

The Best Traditional Public Middle School: Baccalaureate School for Global Education

Located in Long Island City, Baccalaureate School for Global Education stands out among its peers as one of the best traditional public middle schools in the state. The school has excelled academically and achieved an A+ rating — well above the national standard — while simultaneously providing personalized instruction due its relatively low student-to-teacher ratio at 16:1 (14% higher than most traditional publics). Furthermore, Baccalaureate School also boasts a rather small enrollment size of 579 students —smaller than most traditional publics— making it an attractive option for families seeking quality education with an intimate learning environment.

Charter Schools in New York

If parents are looking for alternatives to traditional publics or private institutions, charter schools may provide a viable option for families seeking specialized education options for their children. In New York, there are 203 available charter schools scattered across cities like Brooklyn and Rochester. It's worth noting that 35% of these charter schools are rated above average and 71 exceed expectations (which is higher than national averages). However, these charter schools have significantly larger enrollments than most middle schools with 651 students per school (nearly 60% higher). As such, families should be aware that larger classes may be more common at charter institutions compared to other types of schooling options in New York.

A Closer Look at Charter Middle Schools: Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School

If you're considering a charter school for your child's educational needs, you may want to consider Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School located in Brooklyn. This charter school has achieved impressive academic results by achieving an A+ grade — one of few in the state — while still keeping class sizes relatively small with an enrollment size of 265 students (compared to other charters). Furthermore, Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School goes above and beyond by providing specialized learning opportunities such as offsite projects and hands-on learning experiences; they also boast a mentoring program where staff members work closely with each student to ensure they reach their full potential both personally and academically.

Magnet Middle Schools

Lastly, magnet schools are plentiful in New York; with 65 options available statewide it's clear that magnet programs can be found across cities like Merrick or Buffalo. With only 34% exceeding expectations and 22 rated above the national average it's clear that magnet institutions may not always be top performers when compared to other schooling options; however it’s worth noting that these magnet programs typically have 49% more students on average than most middle schools with 608 enrolled per institution on average (which could contribute to lower academic results).

Essential facts about private schools in New York

New York has the most diverse range of private schools in the country, with 889 different options. Furthermore, private schools in the state are performing quite well, with an average grade of A. Notably, private schools in New York have an average size of 265 students, which is 35% lower than the national average. This could potentially indicate that students may receive more attention and resources than they would at a larger school.

A quick overview of religious middle schools in New York

New York has 636 religious middle schools, which is an impressive 12% lower than the national average per capita rate. Out of these religious institutions, 303 of them are Catholic, making it the most prominent religion for religious schools. The average grade for religious middle schools in New York is A–, which is 11% higher than the national average. Additionally, the size of these schools is 268 students on average, 34% lower than the national average.

Top-Ranked Religious Middle School in New York

When looking for a top-tier religious middle school in New York, Trinity School stands out from the rest. Located in New York City, this episcopal school has a student population of 1001 and has received an A+ grade. The school's exceptional academic performance is not surprising, as it offers an impressive six students per teacher ratio, which is 57% smaller than the national average.

A snapshot on private non-religious middle schools in New York

When it comes to private non-religious middle schools in New York, there are 245 institutions that fit this category. This number represents 8% of all private schools in the state and indicates that parents have a good selection when choosing an education option that does not have any religious influence.

Private non-religious middle schools in New York are performing exceptionally well academically, with an overall grade of A+. Additionally, 42% of these institutions score above the national average, indicating that there is room for improvement and growth. On a more positive note, these schools have an average size of 257 students per institution, 37% lower than the national average.

Top Private Non-Religious Middle School in New York

New York's top-rated private non-religious middle school is located in Bronx and has an enrollment size of 1273 students. This school provides parents with complete control over their child's education and is highly rated for its excellent academic programs and resources as evidenced by its A+ grade score. Furthermore, this school also offers parents a 4:1 student to teacher ratio which is 71% better than the national average. With its high quality education and excellent faculty members, Riverdale Country School provides students with all the necessary tools to succeed academically.

A look at other options in New York

Top All-Boys Middle Schools in New York

All-boys middle schools occupy a small portion of available options for parents seeking specialized education for their sons. In total, there are only 102 all-boys middle schools throughout the entire state with an average grade rating of A– indicating that these institutions are providing decent to above-average education to their students. The Browning School located in New York City stands out among these options due to its exceptional academic record and small school size (just 399 students). Furthermore, what makes this school truly unique is its 6:1 student to teacher ratio which is 57% lower than most American middle schools.

Top-Ranked All-Girls Middle Schools in New York

Parents looking for an all-girls school have fewer options compared to all-boys options as there are only 74 institutions throughout the state offering this type of education with an overall grade rating of B+. Nevertheless, The Brearley School located in NYC stands out from the competition due to its excellent academic record and wide range of educational programs available for its students. The Brearley School boasts a sizable student population (772) despite being a single-sex institution but compensates for it by offering an impressive 6:1 student to teacher ratio which is 57% better than the national average for middle schools.

Exploring fully-online middle school options

Fully online schooling offers an alternative to traditional learning that can be a great option for parents who cannot be physically present at their child's school due to certain reasons such as physical distance or health issues etc. Currently, there are six fully online elementary options available throughout the state which represent 80% lower per capita rate compared to other states across America. However, these alternatives have shown promising results with an overall grade of A+, surpassing even some traditional elementary schooling grades such as B– or B+.

What are the available fully-online elementary schools in New York and which one stands out?

Out of these six available options Dwight Global Online School appears to be performing exceptionally well academically as they have achieved an outstanding A+ grade rating from independent sources such as GreatSchools and Education Week etc., With a student population size of 307 spread across 7 instructors -their student to teacher ratio–the school offers 50% better faculty support when compared to most American elementary institutions.