Top 10 OC Public Middle Schools*

​* based on state rankings

Earlier today, we ranked the top 10 public high schools in Orange County based on the California Department of Education's just-released Academic Performance Index (API) rankings.

Now we turn our cynical gaze at the top 10 public middle schools.

Amazingly, Irvine Unified School District schools not only take the top three spots, but all five district middle schools cracked the top 10 in Orange County.

The list that follows is based on Orange County rankings versus the rest of the state. The Department of Education also ranked schools based on the APIs of schools with similar demographics.

1.) Rancho San Joaquin, Irvine (951)

2.) Sierra Vista, Irvine (936)

3.) Lakeside, Irvine (935)

4.) Pioneer, Tustin (930)

5.) Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Los Alamitos (917)

6.) Venado, Irvine (914)

7.) South Lake, Irvine (908)

8.) Ladera Ranch (904)

9.) Harry C. Fulton, Fountain Valley (903)

10.) Don Juan Avila, Aliso Viejo (898)