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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best San Diego County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 247 public middle schools serving 152,267 students in San Diego County, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in San Diego County, CA are Pacific Trails Middle School, R. Roger Rowe Middle School and Mt. Everest Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
San Diego County, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in San Diego County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in San Diego County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pacific Trails Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5975 Village Center Loop Rd.
Encinitas, CA 92024
(858) 350-0253
Gr: 7-8 | 971 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #22.
R. Roger Rowe Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5927 La Granada
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 756-1141
Gr: 6-8 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #33.
Mt. Everest Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4350 Mt. Everest Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
(619) 605-8700
Gr: K-12 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #44.
Carmel Valley Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3800 Mykonos Ln.
Encinitas, CA 92024
(858) 481-8221
Gr: 7-8 | 697 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #55.
Design 39 Campus
(Math: 76% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
17050 Del Sur Ridge Rd.
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 676-6639
Gr: K-8 | 1,216 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #66.
Elevate
Charter School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2285 Murray Ridge Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 751-4774
Gr: K-8 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #77.
Marshall Middle School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
9700 Avenue Of Nations
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 549-5400
Gr: 6-8 | 1,390 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #88.
Oak Valley Middle School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
16055 Winecreek Rd.
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 487-2939
Gr: 6-8 | 1,503 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #99.
College Preparatory Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10269 Madrid Way
Spring Valley, CA 91977
(619) 303-2782
Gr: 5-8 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1010.
Earl Warren Middle School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
155 Stevens St.
Encinitas, CA 92024
(858) 755-1558
Gr: 7-8 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1111.
Mesa Verde Middle School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
8375 Entreken Way
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 538-5478
Gr: 6-8 | 1,178 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1212.
Jcs - Mountain Oaks
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
539 Encinitas Blvd.
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 632-4989
Gr: K-8 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1313.
Aviara Oaks Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6880 Ambrosia Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6100
Gr: 6-8 | 991 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1414.
Muirlands Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1056 Nautilus St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-4211
Gr: 6-8 | 742 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1515.
Discovery Charter
Charter School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1100 Camino Biscay
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 656-0797
Gr: K-8 | 945 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1616.
Diegueno Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2150 Village Park Way
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-1892
Gr: 7-8 | 737 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1717.
Pacific Beach Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4676 Ingraham St.
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 221-5600
Gr: 6-8 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1818.
Arroyo Vista Charter
Charter School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2491 School House Rd.
Chula Vista, CA 91915
(619) 656-9676
Gr: K-8 | 911 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1919.
River Valley Charter
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9707 1/2 Marilla Dr.
Lakeside, CA 92040
(619) 390-2579
Gr: 7-12 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2020.
Coronado Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
550 F Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 522-8921
Gr: 6-8 | 660 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2121.
Black Mountain Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9353 Oviedo St.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-1300
Gr: 6-8 | 1,077 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #2222.
Double Peak
(Math: 65% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
111 San Elijo Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2340
Gr: K-8 | 1,171 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2323.
Longfellow Utk-8
(Math: 63% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5055 July St.
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 605-8300
Gr: K-8 | 726 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2424.
Challenger Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10810 Parkdale Ave.
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 302-3000
Gr: 6-8 | 960 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2525.
Bernardo Heights Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
12990 Paseo Lucido
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 485-4850
Gr: 6-8 | 1,487 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2626.
Oak Crest Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
675 Balour Dr.
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 753-6241
Gr: 7-8 | 758 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2727.
Grant K-8
(Math: 65% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1425 Washington Pl.
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 293-4420
Gr: K-8 | 743 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2828.
Innovations Academy
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5454 Ruffin Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 271-1414
Gr: K-8 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2929.
Old Town Academy K-8 Charter
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2120 San Diego Ave.
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 574-6225
Gr: K-8 | 194 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #3030.
Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
110 Marine Dr.
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 731-4050
Gr: K-8 | 820 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3131.
La Mesa Arts Academy
(Math: 52% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4200 Parks Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 668-5730
Gr: 5-8 | 1,059 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #3232.
San Elijo Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1600 Schoolhouse Way
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2800
Gr: 6-8 | 1,395 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #3333.
Classical Academy Vista
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2022 University Dr
Vista, CA 92083
(760) 330-9800
Gr: K-8 | 651 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3557 Lancer Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5200
Gr: K-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Twin Peaks Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
14640 Tierra Bonita Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-5131
Gr: 6-8 | 1,164 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Show 100 more public schools in San Diego County, CA (out of 247 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in San Diego County, CA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in San Diego County, CA include Pacific Trails Middle School, R. Roger Rowe Middle School and Mt. Everest Academy.
How many public middle schools are located in San Diego County?
250 public middle schools are located in San Diego County.
What is the racial composition of students in San Diego County?
San Diego County public middle schools minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in San Diego County are often viewed compared to one another?

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