Best Middle Schools in Santa Clara County, California

Part of our Best Schools in Santa Clara County guide.

Introduction

Santa Clara County has long had a reputation as one of the best places in the country to raise a family if education is a priority — and the middle schools here are a big part of why. Stretching from the tree-lined streets of Los Altos to the bustling tech corridors of Cupertino and the leafy, university-adjacent neighborhoods of Palo Alto, the county is home to a remarkable concentration of high-performing schools. The competition for top spots is genuinely fierce, which makes it all the more impressive when schools manage to separate themselves from the pack.

If you're a parent considering a move to the area — or trying to decide between neighborhoods within the county — middle school quality is often one of the biggest factors in the decision. The schools on this list aren't just scoring well on paper; they're serving communities that take education seriously, in cities that tend to attract families with high expectations. Here's a look at the ten best middle schools in Santa Clara County, based on The School Advocate's latest rankings.

1. Joaquin Miller Middle — Cupertino Union School District, San Jose

Joaquin Miller Middle sits at the very top of our rankings, scoring at the 100th percentile in English, Math, and Science — a perfect sweep across the board. Located in San Jose but part of the highly regarded Cupertino Union School District, this school draws from a community that places enormous value on academic achievement and tends to be deeply involved in school life. The surrounding neighborhood has a quieter, residential feel compared to central San Jose, making it a great fit for families who want proximity to the South Bay's job market without sacrificing a strong school environment.

2. John F. Kennedy Middle — Cupertino Union School District, Cupertino

JFK Middle, as locals often call it, is another Cupertino Union standout — and it's easy to see why families in Cupertino feel fortunate to have it in their district. Scoring at the 100th percentile in English, Math, and Science, this school consistently performs at the absolute top of the county. Cupertino itself is a city that needs little introduction: it's home to Apple's headquarters and a community that has built much of its identity around high achievement. Families who settle here tend to be ambitious, well-resourced, and deeply engaged in their children's academic journeys — and JFK Middle reflects that culture.

3. Georgina P. Blach Junior High — Los Altos Elementary School District, Los Altos

Blach Junior High is the kind of school that earns its reputation quietly but consistently. Part of the Los Altos Elementary School District, it scores at the 99th percentile in English and the 100th percentile in both Math and Science — an outstanding profile that reflects the academic seriousness of Los Altos as a community. Los Altos is a charming, walkable city with excellent parks, a strong local dining scene, and the kind of small-town warmth that's rare this close to Silicon Valley. Families who prioritize both exceptional schooling and a livable, community-oriented environment tend to find a lot to love here.

4. Sam H. Lawson Middle — Cupertino Union School District, Cupertino

Lawson Middle is another example of just how strong the Cupertino Union School District is at the middle school level. Scoring at the 99th percentile in English and a perfect 100th in both Math and Science, it belongs firmly in the top tier of Santa Clara County schools. Like its fellow Cupertino Union schools, Lawson attracts families who are deeply invested in their children's futures — many parents in the district work in tech or education and bring high expectations to the table. If you're moving to Cupertino and your child is approaching middle school age, Lawson is a name you'll want to know well.

5. Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle — Palo Alto Unified School District, Palo Alto

Named after the co-founder of Stanford University, Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle carries the legacy of its namesake with quiet confidence. Scoring at the 100th percentile in both English and Math, with a 99th percentile score in Science, it's one of the strongest middle schools in a district — Palo Alto Unified — that already sets an extraordinarily high bar. Palo Alto is a city shaped by Stanford University's presence, and that intellectual culture permeates everyday life here. Families drawn to JLS tend to be curious, academically oriented, and excited by a school environment that challenges students to think critically and aim high.

Score Trends — Top 5

Joaquin Miller Middle is treading water this year, with English scores dropping slightly from 113 to 109, while Math held steady at 144—a sign that their Math program remains strong despite the English dip. John F. Kennedy Middle shows modest but solid progress, with English climbing from 111 to 113 and Math improving from 133 to 136, suggesting steady gains across both subjects. Georgina P. Blach Junior High is the standout performer in this group, posting an impressive 27-point jump in Math (from 104 to 131) alongside an 8-point English gain (91 to 99)—a remarkable turnaround that suggests new initiatives are paying off. Sam H. Lawson Middle also deserves recognition, with English rising 5 points (88 to 93) and Math jumping 10 points (118 to 128), indicating their students are building stronger foundations in both areas. Jane Lathrop Stanford rounds out the top five with particularly strong English improvement, rising 14 points from 87 to 101, while Math gains added 8 more points—a comprehensive improvement that demonstrates real progress across the board.

6. Redwood Middle — Saratoga Union Elementary School District, Saratoga

Redwood Middle offers something a little different from the Cupertino and Palo Alto schools on this list: a slightly smaller, more intimate setting in one of the Bay Area's most beautiful cities. Scoring at the 99th percentile in English and Science and a perfect 100th in Math, it's unquestionably among the county's academic elite. Saratoga is known for its rolling hills, upscale neighborhoods, and a genuine sense of community pride — it has the feel of a small town that happens to sit in one of the wealthiest and best-educated regions in the world. For families who want top-tier academics alongside a quieter, more pastoral setting, Redwood Middle is an excellent option.

7. Ardis G. Egan Junior High — Los Altos Elementary School District, Los Altos

Egan Junior High sits alongside Blach as one of two Los Altos Elementary School District middle schools on this list — a testament to how seriously Los Altos takes its schools. With a 100th percentile score in English and 99th percentile scores in both Math and Science, Egan is performing at the very top of the county. The Los Altos community tends to be tight-knit and deeply engaged in school life, and Egan benefits from that parental involvement in a real, tangible way. If you're comparing neighborhoods within the area, Los Altos is a city that consistently delivers for families who prioritize education.

8. Union Middle — Union Elementary School District, San Jose

Union Middle is one of San Jose's best-kept secrets in education. Part of the smaller, community-focused Union Elementary School District, it scores at the 98th percentile in English and the 99th percentile in both Math and Science — results that would make it a standout school in virtually any county in California. The Union district serves a neighborhood in southwest San Jose that has a suburban, family-friendly feel, and the school reflects that with a strong sense of community identity. For families in San Jose looking for exceptional academic performance in a setting that doesn't feel overwhelming in size, Union Middle is well worth a close look.

9. Ellen Fletcher Middle — Palo Alto Unified School District, Palo Alto

Ellen Fletcher Middle is Palo Alto Unified's second entry on this list, and it reinforces just how consistently strong that district is at the middle school level. Scoring at the 99th percentile in both English and Science and the 98th percentile in Math, Fletcher serves families in a district where academic excellence is simply the baseline expectation. Named after a beloved local civic leader and cycling advocate, the school has a character that reflects Palo Alto's blend of intellectual ambition and progressive community values. It's a great fit for families who want a rigorous academic environment within a district that also cares deeply about the whole child.

10. Warren E. Hyde Middle — Cupertino Union School District, Cupertino

Rounding out our top ten is Warren E. Hyde Middle, a fourth Cupertino Union school to make the list — which says everything you need to know about that district's remarkable depth. Hyde scores at the 98th percentile in English, 99th in Math, and 98th in Science, making it one of the strongest schools in the county even at the bottom of this very competitive list. The school serves families in Cupertino who bring the same high expectations you'd find across the district, and the community's emphasis on STEM education and academic preparation comes through clearly in the results. Hyde is proof that even the "lowest-ranked" school in a great district can be exceptional.

Score Trends — #6-10

Redwood Middle continues the winning streak with English climbing 11 points (84 to 95) and Math soaring 14 points (112 to 126), making it one of the district's biggest success stories. Ardis G. Egan Junior High posted the single largest English gain in the entire dataset, jumping 17 points from 87 to 104, though Math improvements were more modest at 8 points (92 to 100). Union Middle shows consistent, meaningful growth in both subjects—English up 7 points and Math up 7 points—reflecting balanced, steady progress. Ellen Fletcher Middle stands out as one of only two schools with declining scores, dropping 4 points in English (96 to 92) and 1 point in Math (88 to 87), a concerning pattern that warrants attention. Warren E. Hyde Middle closes the list on a positive note, with English improving 8 points (81 to 89) and Math gaining 6 points (91 to 97), demonstrating that even schools with lower baseline scores can show meaningful year-over-year improvement.

How We Rank Schools

The School Advocate's school rankings are based on student performance data pulled from state assessments. We weight English and Math scores equally at 40% each, with Science making up the remaining 20% of the overall score. To make the rankings as current and useful as possible, we weight more recent years of data more heavily than older years — so what you're seeing reflects where schools stand today, not where they were several years ago. Percentile scores show how each school compares to all other public schools in California.

Compare Schools Yourself

Numbers only tell part of the story, and every family's priorities are different. If you want to dig deeper and compare any of these schools side by side — or stack them up against other schools in the county — head over to our school comparison tool. You can build your own custom comparison and see exactly how schools measure up across every subject.

Top 50 Rankings

Rank	School	District	City	English	Math	Overall
1	Joaquin Miller Middle	Cupertino Union	San Jose	100	100	100
2	John F. Kennedy Middle	Cupertino Union	Cupertino	100	100	100
3	Georgina P. Blach Junior High	Los Altos Elementary	Los Altos	99	100	100
4	Sam H. Lawson Middle	Cupertino Union	Cupertino	99	100	100
5	Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle	Palo Alto Unified	Palo Alto	100	100	99
6	Redwood Middle	Saratoga Union Elementary	Saratoga	99	100	99
7	Ardis G. Egan Junior High	Los Altos Elementary	Los Altos	100	99	99
8	Union Middle	Union Elementary	San Jose	98	99	99
9	Ellen Fletcher Middle	Palo Alto Unified	Palo Alto	99	98	99
10	Warren E. Hyde Middle	Cupertino Union	Cupertino	98	99	99
11	Cupertino Middle	Cupertino Union	Sunnyvale	96	98	98
12	Chaboya Middle	Evergreen Elementary	San Jose	96	98	97
13	Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle	Palo Alto Unified	Palo Alto	95	95	96
14	Raymond J. Fisher Middle	Los Gatos Union Elementary	Los Gatos	94	96	96
15	Thomas Russell Middle	Milpitas Unified	Milpitas	95	95	95
16	Bret Harte Middle	San Jose Unified	San Jose	90	98	95
17	Rolling Hills Middle	Campbell Union	Los Gatos	91	93	93
18	C. T. English Middle	Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary	Los Gatos	88	92	92
19	Rancho Milpitas Middle	Milpitas Unified	Milpitas	93	88	91
20	KIPP Heartwood Academy	Alum Rock Union Elementary	San Jose	88	93	90
21	Sierramont Middle	Berryessa Union Elementary	San Jose	88	89	89
22	College Connection Academy	Franklin-McKinley Elementary	San Jose	92	91	89
23	Herman (Leonard) Intermediate	Oak Grove Elementary	San Jose	89	86	89
24	Quimby Oak Middle	Evergreen Elementary	San Jose	87	88	88
25	KIPP Heritage Academy	Franklin-McKinley Elementary	San Jose	91	84	87
26	Sunnyvale Middle	Sunnyvale	Sunnyvale	83	90	87
27	Marian A. Peterson Middle	Santa Clara Unified	Sunnyvale	85	86	87
28	Dartmouth Middle	Union Elementary	San Jose	82	90	86
29	Price Charter Middle	Cambrian	San Jose	85	85	86
30	Crittenden Middle	Mountain View Whisman	Mountain View	83	85	85
31	Isaac Newton Graham Middle	Mountain View Whisman	Mountain View	78	86	84
32	Moreland Middle	Moreland	San Jose	77	78	79
33	Castillero Middle	San Jose Unified	San Jose	75	81	78
34	Juan Cabrillo Middle	Santa Clara Unified	Santa Clara	74	76	77
35	Morrill Middle	Berryessa Union Elementary	San Jose	76	77	76
36	Piedmont Middle	Berryessa Union Elementary	San Jose	77	70	74
37	Bernal Intermediate	Oak Grove Elementary	San Jose	72	74	73
38	Kipp Prize Preparatory Academy	Alum Rock Union Elementary	San Jose	72	70	71
39	Buchser Middle	Santa Clara Unified	Santa Clara	71	68	70
40	Willow Glen Middle	San Jose Unified	San Jose	63	65	68
41	Brownell Middle	Gilroy Unified	Gilroy	48	56	56
42	Lewis H. Britton Middle	Morgan Hill Unified	Morgan Hill	48	54	56
43	John Muir Middle	San Jose Unified	San Jose	47	56	55
44	Martin Murphy Middle	Morgan Hill Unified	San Jose	48	55	54
45	Solorsano Middle	Gilroy Unified	Gilroy	44	53	52
46	George V. LeyVa Intermediate	Evergreen Elementary	San Jose	45	56	52
47	Columbia Middle	Sunnyvale	Sunnyvale	39	53	48
48	Perseverance Preparatory	SBE - Perseverance Preparatory	San Jose	58	56	47
49	Sunrise Middle	Santa Clara County Office of Education	San Jose	32	64	42
50	South Valley Middle	Gilroy Unified	Gilroy	27	44	36

Related Guides

• Best Schools in Santa Clara County, California
• Best Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County, California
• Best High Schools in Santa Clara County, California