For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public middle schools serving 12,365 students in Irvine, CA. The top ranked public middle schools in Irvine, CA are Vista Verde, Orchard Hills and Beacon Park. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Irvine, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the California public middle school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 76% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Irvine have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 78% of the student body (majority Asian), which is equal to the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Irvine, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Vista Verde
(Math: 82% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6 Federation Way
Irvine, CA 92603
(949) 936-6350
Irvine, CA 92603
(949) 936-6350
Grades: K-8
| 798 students
Rank: #22.
Orchard Hills
(Math: 76% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
11555 Culver Dr.
Irvine, CA 92602
(714) 430-2078
Irvine, CA 92602
(714) 430-2078
Grades: K-8
| 1,371 students
Rank: #33.
Beacon Park
(Math: 77% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
200 Cultivate
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 936-8400
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 936-8400
Grades: K-8
| 1,071 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Lakeside Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3 Lemongrass
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 559-1601
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 559-1601
Grades: 7-8
| 652 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Rancho San Joaquin Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4861 Michelson Dr.
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 936-6500
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 936-6500
Grades: 7-8
| 878 students
Rank: #66.
Sierra Vista Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2 Liberty
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 936-6600
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 936-6600
Grades: 7-8
| 1,188 students
Rank: #77.
Jeffrey Trail Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
155 Visions
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 936-5000
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 936-5000
Grades: 7-8
| 1,118 students
Rank: #88.
Irvine International Academy
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4782 Karen Ann Ln.
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 242-6164
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 242-6164
Grades: K-8
| 530 students
Rank: #99.
Alternative Education-san Joaquin High School
Alternative School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3387 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Grades: K-12
| 111 students
Rank: #1010.
Venado Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4 Deerfield Ave.
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-6800
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-6800
Grades: 7-8
| 553 students
Rank: #1111.
Plaza Vista
(Math: 63% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
670 Paseo Westpark
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-6955
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-6955
Grades: K-8
| 810 students
Rank: #1212.
Cadence Park
(Math: 60% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
750 Benchmark
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 404-1300
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 404-1300
Grades: K-8
| 964 students
Rank: #1313.
Excel Academy Charter
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 Technology Dr., Bldg. I Ste.
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 387-7822
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 387-7822
Grades: K-12
| 967 students
Rank: #1414.
South Lake Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
655 West Yale Loop
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 936-6700
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 936-6700
Grades: 7-8
| 668 students
Irvine, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Excel Academy Charter (Closed 2021)
Charter School
1 Technology Dr., Bldg. I Ste.
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 387-7822
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 387-7822
Grades: K-12
| 602 students
3387 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7400
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7400
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Irvine, CA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Irvine, CA include Vista Verde, Orchard Hills and Beacon Park. Irvine has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
How many public middle schools are located in Irvine?
15 public middle schools are located in Irvine.
What is the racial composition of students in Irvine?
Irvine public middle schools minority enrollment is 78% of the student body (majority Asian), which is equal to the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Irvine are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Irvine include: South Lake Middle School vs. Lakeside Middle School, Venado Middle School vs. Lakeside Middle School, Cadence Park vs. Beacon Park
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
