Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Madera Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 24 public middle schools serving 7,471 students in Madera, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Madera, CA are Sherman Thomas Stem Academy, Ranchos Middle School and Centennial Independent Study. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Madera, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Madera have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Madera, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sherman Thomas Stem Academy
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
101 West Adell St.
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 598-0228
Gr: 6-8 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #22.
Ranchos Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
12455 Road 35 1/2
Madera, CA 93636
(559) 645-3550
Gr: 7-8 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Centennial Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
12150 Road 36
Madera, CA 93636
(559) 645-3580
Gr: 1-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #44.
Juvenile Hall (Endeavor/voyager Secondary)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
28261 Avenue 14
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 675-7900
Gr: 7-12 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #55.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
800 Treasure Hills Dr.
Madera, CA 93636
(559) 822-4141
Gr: K-8 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #66.
La Vina Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
8594 Road 23
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 673-5194
Gr: K-8 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #77.
Freedom Home
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
16362 Paula Rd.
Madera, CA 93636
(559) 645-3590
Gr: K-12 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #88.
Eastin Arcola Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
29551 Avenue 8
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 674-8841
Gr: K-8 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #99.
Howard Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
13878 Road 21 1/2
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 674-8568
Gr: K-8 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1010.
Jack G. Desmond Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
26490 Martin St.
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 674-1775
Gr: 7-8 | 838 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1111.
Dixieland Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
18440 Road 19
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 673-9119
Gr: K-8 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1212.
James Madison Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
109 Stadium Rd.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 675-4630
Gr: K-8 | 739 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1407 Sunset Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 673-9286
Gr: 7-8 | 948 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1414.
Enterprise Secondary
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1665 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 662-4856
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #1515.
Sherman Thomas Charter
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
101 West Adell St.
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 674-1192
Gr: K-8 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1616.
Pioneer Technical Center
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1665 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 664-1600
Gr: K-12 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1717.
Liberty Charter
Charter School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
26247 Ellis St.
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 675-2070
Gr: K-8 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1818.
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
601 Lilly St.
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 674-4681
Gr: 7-8 | 865 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1919.
Duane E. Furman Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
955 West Pecan Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 675-4482
Gr: K-12 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2020.
Ripperdan Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
26133 Ave. 7
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 674-0059
Gr: 7-12 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2121.
Madera County Independent Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1635 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 662-4640
Gr: K-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2222.
Gould Educational Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
117 West Dunham
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 674-0915
Gr: K-12 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: n/an/a
Lincoln Community Day
Alternative School
12150 Road 36
Madera, CA 93636
(559) 645-3580
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Valley Children's Hospital
9300 Valley Children's Pl. Ste
Madera, CA 93636
(559) 645-3580
Gr: K-12 | 3 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Madera, CA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Madera, CA include Sherman Thomas Stem Academy, Ranchos Middle School and Centennial Independent Study.
How many public middle schools are located in Madera?
24 public middle schools are located in Madera.
What is the racial composition of students in Madera?
Madera public middle schools minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Madera are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (CA):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
 California Top-Ranked Public Schools
California Top-Ranked Public Schools
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
 Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
 Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons

More Articles

Evaluating Public Schools
Local School Topics
Public School Policies
Parenting and Learning Issues
Opinion