MN's Best Middle Schools Ranked In New Analysis

WAYZATA, MN — U.S. News researchers based the 2026 ranking of the nation’s best public middle schools on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education. The researchers ranked more than 23,000 middle schools in its 2026 report, which was released Tuesday.

The top 25 public middle schools in Minnesota are:

1. Wayzata West Middle – Wayzata, MN
2. Delano Intermediate School – Delano, MN
3. St. Croix Prep Academy Middle – Stillwater, MN
4. Nova Classical Academy Upper School – Saint Paul, MN
5. Math and Science Academy – Woodbury, MN
6. Wayzata East Middle – Plymouth, MN
7. Wayzata Central Middle – Plymouth, MN
8. Grandview Middle School – Mound, MN
9. Minnetonka East Middle – Minnetonka, MN
10. Cologne Academy – Cologne, MN
11. Minnetonka West Middle – Excelsior, MN
12. Yinghua Academy – Minneapolis, MN
13. Valley View Middle – Edina, MN
14. Orono Middle – Long Lake, MN
15. Delano High School – Delano, MN

The ranking methodology considered student proficiency in math and reading/language arts state assessments, adjusting for student backgrounds and core subject achievements. In cases of ties, student-teacher ratios were used as a deciding factor.

The rankings are intended as an evaluation tool to give parents a snapshot of how well schools provide a high-quality education and prepare students for a successful future, LaMont Jones, managing editor for Education at U.S. News, said in a news release.