RI's Best Middle Schools Ranked In New Analysis

Barrington Middle School in Barrington is the best public middle school in Rhode Island, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report.

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.

Related: These Are The Top Elementary Schools In RI, U.S. News Says In New Ranking

The top 25 public middle schools in Rhode Island are:

1. Barrington Middle School, Barrington
2. North Cumberland Middle, Cumberland
3. Wickford Middle School, North Kingstown
4. Archie R. Cole Middle School, East Greenwich
5. Jamestown School-Lawn, Jamestown
6. North Smithfield Middle School, North Smithfield
7. Broad Rock Middle School, Wakefield
8. Davisville Middle School, North Kingstown
9. Portsmouth Middle School, Portsmouth
10. Narragansett Pier School, Narragansett
11. Rise Prep Mayoral Academy, Woonsocket
12. Exeter-West Greenwich Reg. Jr., West Greenwich
13. The Compass School, Kingston
14. Blackstone Valley Prep Junior High, Central Falls
15. Lincoln Middle School, Lincoln
16. Kickemuit Middle School, Warren
17. Birchwood Middle School, North Providence
18. Af Iluminar Mayoral Middle School, Cranston
19. Ponaganset Middle School, North Scituate
20. Vincent J. Gallagher Middle, Smithfield
21. Providence Preparatory Charter, Providence
22. Hope Highlands Middle School, Cranston
23. Park View Middle School, Cranston
24. Chariho Regional Middle School, Wood River Junction
25. Dr. Edward Ricci School, North Providence

Related: These Are The Best School Districts In Rhode Island, New Ranking Says

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.

Related: Rhode Island Awards Blue Ribbon To 3 Schools

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.

Related: Top 10 Private High Schools In RI Revealed In New Ranking