College Preparatory Middle

College Preparatory Middle is a standout charter school tucked into Spring Valley, a working-class community just east of San Diego that doesn't always get the spotlight but is quietly home to one of the strongest middle schools in California. Serving grades 5–8, the school consistently ranks among the top 30 in the state for English, math, and science — the kind of across-the-board academic strength that's rare at any level. Families who are serious about setting their kids up for a rigorous high school experience, and who don't mind the longer commute that charter enrollment sometimes requires, will find this school well worth the effort.