Are you considering a new middle school for your child? Consult the Middle School Guide for a listing of Northeast Ohio private and other school options for your child’s next educational step.
Birchwood School of Hawken
Birchwood School of Hawken’s mission is to develop the intellectual skills and character traits that will enable children to become the best versions of themselves and focusing on their ability to benefit others. Birchwood takes responsibility for placing each child on this trajectory by recognizing four components for achieving those goals — challenging academics, systematic character training, small class sizes, and subject specialists. Students graduate prepared to make a positive impact on their communities. To learn more, visit birchwoodschool.org
Constellation Schools
More than a school, it’s a place to find confidence. Constellation Schools: Parma Community Intermediate and Middle provides an environment where students can thrive. Its dedicated teachers and diverse programs go beyond academics, helping them navigate new challenges, explore their interests and build leadership skills. Staff empowers students to grow into their best selves, preparing them for a lifetime of learning and achievement. constellationschools.com
Gilmour Academy
As an independent and Catholic school, Gilmour Academy is uniquely able to develop the minds and hearts of its students. Gilmour’s identity as an independent school reflects a commitment to rigorous academic programming, smaller classes and a variety of real-world opportunities. Gilmour’s Catholic identity means students are learning in an environment that is inclusive, thought-provoking and rooted in the Holy Cross tradition. Gilmour empowers students of all faiths to grow spiritually. Through its comprehensive curriculum, faith-based tradition, commitment to service and emphasis on leadership, Gilmour educates the whole person. gilmour.org
Hawken School
Hawken’s Middle School program focuses on building strong academic skills while placing an increasing emphasis on personal responsibility. It partners with parents to ensure that students receive the optimal balance of structure, freedom, nurture and support that will enable them to successfully navigate this exciting and challenging transition into adolescence. With an emphasis on hands-on learning, interdisciplinary approaches and student choice, students become active participants in their education. To learn more, visit hawken.edu/academics/middle-school
Hershey Montessori School
Choosing a school is choosing a second home for your child. At Hershey Montessori School, families find more than academics — they find a place where children are deeply known, nurtured and inspired. From infancy through adolescence, Hershey offers hands-on, purposeful learning across two Northeast Ohio campuses. Rooted in the Montessori approach to education, students grow with confidence, empathy and independence. For parents seeking a school that honors the whole child, Hershey is where meaningful education begins. hershey-montessori.org
Julie Billiart Schools
Julie Billiart Schools, a private, Catholic network of kindergarten through eighth grade schools in Akron, Brecksville, Lyndhurst and Westlake, educate and empower children with mild to moderate learning and social differences like anxiety, ADHD, dyslexia, autism and executive function needs. Students experience small student-to-staff ratios and onsite therapies including art, behavioral, music, occupational and speech. They also offer Begindergarten, a full-day kindergarten readiness program for the youngest learners. Learn more at juliebilliartschool.org or call 216-716-8318.
Lake Ridge Academy
Lake Ridge Academy is the only independent, college preparatory school on Cleveland’s west side. Its junior kindergarten through grade 12 coeducational curriculum offers a unique blend of rigorous academics, extracurricular activities, and a focus on wellness and character development. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, their devoted faculty provides personal attention to help every student thrive. Come visit its 93-acre campus and see the Lake Ridge difference. The next Preview Day is Nov. 14. Register at lakeridgeacademy.org/admissions/visit.
Laurel School
Laurel is an independent day school for girls, K-12, with a co-ed Early Childhood School. Laurel students come from over 70 communities in Northeast Ohio. Laurel has two campuses, the 11-acre Lyman Campus is in Shaker Heights and the 150-acre Butler Campus is in Novelty. The Butler Campus is home to competitive athletics, full-time outdoor experiential learning for Grades 3-5, Northeast Ohio’s first Outdoor PreK, and the new Ruhlman Family Center opening in January 2026. Learn more about Laurel at its Open Houses on October 9 and 23. Visit laurelschool.org/visit for details.
Menlo Park Academy
Menlo Park Academy is the state’s only tuition-free school for gifted children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school offers an innovative, accelerated curriculum, including nine high-school-credit classes, the opportunity to learn alongside like-minded peers and a faculty dedicated to meeting the unique needs of gifted children. Students can explore their passions, build friendships and find belonging, as well as academic and social emotional success. Menlo Park Academy is the #1 charter elementary, #1 charter middle school, ranked #13 of all kindergarten through fifth grade Ohio public schools (niche.com). menloparkacademy.com
Seton Catholic School
Seton Catholic School (pre-kindergarten through grade eight) is a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School. A lifetime love of learning starts here. Young hearts and minds develop into thoughtful, educated students — ready to thrive and grow. Immersed in the humanities, arts and sciences, foreign languages, mathematics and environmental education — students are nurtured in a setting of constructive and personalized learning. Innovation and tradition unite with guided responsible use of technology, successfully integrated with time-honored instruction. setoncatholicschool.org
Spring Garden Waldorf School
Spring Garden Waldorf School is one of only two accredited Waldorf schools in Ohio, and it has been educating children from the surrounding five-county area for 44 years. Families come to Waldorf education because they’re ready for something different. Its curriculum challenges students with hands-on learning, critical thinking and creative expression. By engaging the whole child with a multi-disciplinary approach, it nurtures a lifelong passion for learning. Discover education that engages, inspires and empowers. sgws.org
St. Hilary School
The Future Begins Here. St. Hilary School in Fairlawn serves students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade in a faith-based environment with a curriculum that challenges and accommodates diverse learning abilities. The average student-teacher ratio is 20 to 1. Special offerings include Spanish, French, Chinese, religion, art, music, physical education, technology, advanced math and enrichment opportunities. Many extracurricular activities, as well as auxiliary, remedial, clinic, lunch and extended care services are available. 645 Moorfield Road, Fairlawn, 330-867-8720, ext. 343, st-hilaryschool.org
University School
At University School, each boy is free and supported to let his true self thrive. The faculty at University School are invested in every boy’s interests, his mental and emotional health, as well as his academic development. Built to match how boys learn best, the renovated and expanded Middle School building opened in Fall 2025. US is ranked Ohio’s #1 private K–12 School by Niche. Its open house is November 2. Learn more at us.edu/visit.
