For the 2026 school year, there are 60 public middle schools serving 36,016 students in Essex County, MA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Essex County, MA are Pioneer Charter School Of Science Ii, Wood Hill Middle School and Miles River Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Essex County, MA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Massachusetts public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 42% statewide average). Middle schools in Essex County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Massachusetts public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public middle school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Essex County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pioneer Charter School Of Science Ii
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
97 Main Street
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 666-3945
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 666-3945
Gr: K-12 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #22.
Wood Hill Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
11 Cross Street
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 247-8800
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 247-8800
Gr: 6-8 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #33.
Miles River Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
787 Bay Rd
South Hamilton, MA 01982
(978) 468-0362
South Hamilton, MA 01982
(978) 468-0362
Gr: 6-8 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Doherty Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
50 Bartlet Street
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 247-9400
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 247-9400
Gr: 6-8 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #55.
Marblehead Veterans Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
217 Pleasant Street
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-3120
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-3120
Gr: 7-8 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
Andover West Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
70 Shawsheen Road
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 247-5400
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 247-5400
Gr: 6-8 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
Lynnfield Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
505 Main Street
Lynnfield, MA 01940
(781) 334-5810
Lynnfield, MA 01940
(781) 334-5810
Gr: 5-8 | 698 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Rockport Middle High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
24 Jerdens Lane
Rockport, MA 01966
(978) 546-1234
Rockport, MA 01966
(978) 546-1234
Gr: 6-12 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #99.
Manchester Essex Regional Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
36 Lincoln Street
Manchester, MA 01944
(978) 526-2022
Manchester, MA 01944
(978) 526-2022
Gr: 6-8 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1010.
Masconomet Regional Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
20 Endicott Road
Boxford, MA 01921
(978) 887-2323
Boxford, MA 01921
(978) 887-2323
Gr: 7-8 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1111.
Ipswich Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
130 High Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-3535
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-3535
Gr: 6-8 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1212.
North Andover Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
495 Main Street
North Andover, MA 01845
(978) 794-1870
North Andover, MA 01845
(978) 794-1870
Gr: 6-8 | 1,023 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1313.
River Valley Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2 Perry Way
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-0065
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-0065
Gr: K-8 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1414.
Greenleaf Academy
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
58 Chadwick Street
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 374-3487
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 374-3487
Gr: 6-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1515.
Rupert A Nock Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
70 Low Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-4447
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-4447
Gr: 6-8 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1616.
Pentucket Regional Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
24 Main Street
West Newbury, MA 01985
(978) 363-5507
West Newbury, MA 01985
(978) 363-5507
Gr: 7-8 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1717.
Swampscott Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
207 Forest Avenue
Swampscott, MA 01907
(781) 596-8820
Swampscott, MA 01907
(781) 596-8820
Gr: 5-8 | 654 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1818.
Community Day Charter Public School
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
73 Prospect Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 681-9910
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 681-9910
Gr: PK-8 | 1,200 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1919.
Triton Regional Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
112 Elm Street
Byfield, MA 01922
(978) 463-5845
Byfield, MA 01922
(978) 463-5845
Gr: 7-8 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2020.
Georgetown Middle School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
11 Winter Street
Georgetown, MA 01833
(978) 352-5790
Georgetown, MA 01833
(978) 352-5790
Gr: 7-8 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2121.
Beverly Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
502 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 921-6103
Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 921-6103
Gr: 5-8 | 1,388 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2222.
Salem Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
45 Congress St., Shetland Park
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 744-2105
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 744-2105
Gr: 6-12 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #2323.
Amesbury Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
220 Main Street
Amesbury, MA 01913
(978) 388-0515
Amesbury, MA 01913
(978) 388-0515
Gr: 6-8 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2424.
Marblehead Community Charter Public School
Charter School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
17 Lime Street
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 631-0777
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 631-0777
Gr: 4-8 | 192 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2525.
Marsh Grammar School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
309 Pelham Street
Methuen, MA 01844
(978) 722-9076
Methuen, MA 01844
(978) 722-9076
Gr: K-8 | 996 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2626.
Kipp Academy Lynn Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
90 High Rock Street
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 598-1609
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 598-1609
Gr: K-12 | 1,637 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2727.
Bartlett School And Assessment Center
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
551 Washington Street
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 469-8735
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 469-8735
Gr: 1-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2828.
Holten Richmond Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
55 Conant Street
Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 774-8590
Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 774-8590
Gr: 6-8 | 745 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2929.
Fecteau-leary Junior/senior High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
33 North Common Street
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 268-3007
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 268-3007
Gr: 6-12 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3030.
Comprehensive Grammar School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
100 Howe Street
Methuen, MA 01844
(978) 722-9051
Methuen, MA 01844
(978) 722-9051
Gr: K-8 | 1,046 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #3131.
Caleb Dustin Hunking School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
480 So. Main Street
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 374-5787
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 374-5787
Gr: K-8 | 1,062 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #3232.
J Henry Higgins Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
85 Perkins Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4800
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4800
Gr: 6-8 | 1,320 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #3333.
Ralph B O'maley Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
32 Cherry Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-9850
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-9850
Gr: 6-8 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #3434.
Lawrence Family Development Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
34 West Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 689-9863
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 689-9863
Gr: PK-8 | 899 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #3535.
Saltonstall School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
211 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1297
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1297
Gr: K-8 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Show 25 more public schools in Essex County, MA (out of 60 total schools)
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Essex County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Amesbury Academy Charter Public School (Closed 2016)
Charter School
71 Friend Street
Amesbury, MA 01913
(978) 388-8037
Amesbury, MA 01913
(978) 388-8037
Gr: 9-12 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
150 Arlington St
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5928
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5928
Gr: 2-4 | 339 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
22-28 Richard Street
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 231-5072
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 231-5072
Gr: 1-5 | 157 students Minority enrollment: 15%
22 Richard Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(781) 231-5021
Peabody, MA 01960
(781) 231-5021
Gr: PK | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
551 Washington St.
Haverhill, MA 01832
(978) 374-3465
Haverhill, MA 01832
(978) 374-3465
Gr: PK-K | 116 students Minority enrollment: 13%
Bentley Academy Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
25 Memorial Drive
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1260
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1260
Gr: K-5
25 Memorial Drive
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1260
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1260
Gr: K-5 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
70 Main Street
North Andover, MA 01845
(978) 794-1677
North Andover, MA 01845
(978) 794-1677
Gr: PK-K | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
45 Fountain Street
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 374-3464
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 374-3464
Gr: K-2 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
70-71 North Parish Rd
Lawrence, MA 01843
(978) 946-0713
Lawrence, MA 01843
(978) 946-0713
Gr: 9-12 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
480 So. Main St
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 374-5787
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 374-5787
Gr: 6-8 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
40 Pleasant Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5980
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5980
Gr: PK-K | 173 students Minority enrollment: 78%
351 South Main St.
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 374-3469
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 374-3469
Gr: PK | 61 students Minority enrollment: 13%
551 Washington Street
Haverhill, MA 01832
(978) 469-8735
Haverhill, MA 01832
(978) 469-8735
Gr: K-2 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
26 Belmont Avenue
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 374-3473
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 374-3473
Gr: K | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
25 Talbot Street
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 231-5087
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 231-5087
Gr: K-5 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
3 Brook Rd
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-3195
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-3195
Gr: K | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
8 Davis St Ext
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-9830
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-9830
Gr: K-5 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
50 Elm Street
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-3185
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-3185
Gr: K-1 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Environmental School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
14 Central Avenue
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 593-1680
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 593-1680
Gr: 9-12 | 57 students Minority enrollment: 67%
201r Winter/e Denver
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 231-5075
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 231-5075
Gr: K-5 | 204 students Minority enrollment: 8%
33 No Common Street
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 477-7330
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 477-7330
Gr: 6-8 | 577 students Minority enrollment: 83%
50 Cross Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5947
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5947
Gr: K | 135 students Minority enrollment: 96%
40 Milk Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-4435
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-4435
Gr: PK-K | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Gloucester Community Arts Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
2 Blackburn Dr
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 865-9901
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 865-9901
Gr: K-8 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
58 Chadwick Street
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 374-3487
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 374-3487
Gr: K | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
24 Redington Street
Swampscott, MA 01907
(781) 596-8847
Swampscott, MA 01907
(781) 596-8847
Gr: K-4 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
400 Haverhill Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5953
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5953
Gr: 1-8 | 124 students Minority enrollment: 97%
70-71 North Parish Rd
Lawrence, MA 01843
(978) 946-0735
Lawrence, MA 01843
(978) 946-0735
Gr: 9-12 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
233 Haverhill Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
(978) 722-8770
Lawrence, MA 01840
(978) 722-8770
Gr: 7-8 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
70-71 North Parish Rd
Lawrence, MA 01843
(978) 946-0724
Lawrence, MA 01843
(978) 946-0724
Gr: 9-12 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
70-71 North Parish Rd
Lawrence, MA 01843
(978) 946-0712
Lawrence, MA 01843
(978) 946-0712
Gr: 9-12 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
60 Allen St
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5962
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5962
Gr: 7-8 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
149 High Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-4445
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-4445
Gr: K-4 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
21 Johnson Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5550
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5550
Gr: K-5 | 338 students Minority enrollment: 4%
Show 25 more closed public schools in Essex County, MA (out of 60 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Essex County, MA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Essex County, MA include Pioneer Charter School Of Science Ii, Wood Hill Middle School and Miles River Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Essex County?
62 public middle schools are located in Essex County.
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County?
Essex County public middle schools minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public middle schools average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Essex County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Essex County include: Community Day Charter Public School vs. Lawrence Family Development Charter School, Lawrence Family Development Charter School vs. Community Day Charter Public School, Marblehead Veterans Middle School vs. Swampscott Middle School
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