These schools were voted the Best Public or Charter Middle Schools in the Bay Area for the 2026 Best of Bay Area Parent reader poll. Read the full list of winners here
Peninsula
Gold: San Carlos Charter Learning Center. This kindergarten through eighth grade charter school focuses on child-centered, inquiry-driven learning. San Carlos. sancarloscharter.org.
Silver: North Star Academy. Redwood City. northstar.rcsdk8.net.
Silicon Valley
Gold: Quimby Oak Middle School. This California Distinguished School offers two academic tracks: a standards-based curriculum and a special program for independent learners. San Jose. quimbyoak.eesd.org.
Silver: Dartmouth Middle School. San Jose. dartmouth.unionsd.org.
Bronze: Discovery Charter School Phoenix Campus. San Jose. phx.discoveryk8.org.
