For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public middle schools serving 10,143 students in Benton County, WA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Benton County, WA are Leona Libby Middle School, Paterson Elementary School and Three Rivers Home Link. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Benton County, WA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Washington public middle school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 51% statewide average). Middle schools in Benton County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Washington public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Washington public middle school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Benton County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Leona Libby Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3259 Belmont Blvd.
West Richland, WA 99353
(509) 967-6465
West Richland, WA 99353
(509) 967-6465
Gr: 6-8 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #22.
Paterson Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
51409 W. Prior Rd.
Paterson, WA 99345
(509) 875-2601
Paterson, WA 99345
(509) 875-2601
Gr: K-8 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Three Rivers Home Link
Alternative School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1710 Van Giesen
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 967-6450
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 967-6450
Gr: K-12 | 756 students Student-teacher ratio: 38:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Desert Hills Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1701 S Clodfelter Rd
Kennewick, WA 99338
(509) 222-6600
Kennewick, WA 99338
(509) 222-6600
Gr: 6-8 | 906 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #55.
Enterprise Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5200 Paradise Way
West Richland, WA 99353
(509) 967-6200
West Richland, WA 99353
(509) 967-6200
Gr: 6-8 | 745 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #66.
Chinook Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6011 W 10th Place
Kennewick, WA 99338
(509) 222-7500
Kennewick, WA 99338
(509) 222-7500
Gr: 6-8 | 950 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #77.
Mid-columbia Parent Partnership
Alternative School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5980 W 12th Ave
Kennewick, WA 99338
(509) 222-5036
Kennewick, WA 99338
(509) 222-5036
Gr: K-12 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 39:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #88.
Chief Joseph Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
504 Wilson
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 967-6400
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 967-6400
Gr: 6-8 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #99.
Carmichael Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
620 Thayer Drive
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 967-6425
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 967-6425
Gr: 6-8 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1010.
Horse Heaven Hills Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3500 South Vancouver Street
Kennewick, WA 99337
(509) 585-3260
Kennewick, WA 99337
(509) 585-3260
Gr: 6-8 | 856 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1111.
Legacy High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4624 W 10th Ave
Kennewick, WA 99338
(509) 222-6552
Kennewick, WA 99338
(509) 222-6552
Gr: 6-12 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1212.
Pacific Crest Online Academy
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6972 Keene Road
West Richland, WA 99353
(509) 967-6245
West Richland, WA 99353
(509) 967-6245
Gr: K-12 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1313.
Northwest Allprep
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2016 S. Steele Rd.
Prosser, WA 99350
(972) 365-0561
Prosser, WA 99350
(972) 365-0561
Gr: K-12 | 112 students Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1414.
Park Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1011 West 10th Avenue
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 222-6900
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 222-6900
Gr: 6-8 | 688 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1515.
Housel Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2001 Highland Dr.
Prosser, WA 99350
(509) 786-1732
Prosser, WA 99350
(509) 786-1732
Gr: 6-8 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1616.
Highlands Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
425 South Tweedt Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 222-6700
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 222-6700
Gr: 6-8 | 745 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1717.
Finley Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
37208 S Finley Rd
Kennewick, WA 99337
(509) 586-7561
Kennewick, WA 99337
(509) 586-7561
Gr: 6-8 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1818.
Kiona-benton City Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
913 Horne Drive
Benton City, WA 99320
(509) 588-2040
Benton City, WA 99320
(509) 588-2040
Gr: 6-8 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: n/an/a
5606 West Canal Drive
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 783-2151
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 783-2151
Gr: 6-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
Special Programs
Special Education School
6972 Keene Road
West Richland, WA 99353
(509) 967-6050
West Richland, WA 99353
(509) 967-6050
Gr: PK-12 | 14 students Minority enrollment: 14%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Benton County, WA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Benton County, WA include Leona Libby Middle School, Paterson Elementary School and Three Rivers Home Link.
How many public middle schools are located in Benton County?
19 public middle schools are located in Benton County.
What is the racial composition of students in Benton County?
Benton County public middle schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Washington public middle schools average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Benton County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Benton County include: Carmichael Middle School vs. Chief Joseph Middle School, Chief Joseph Middle School vs. Carmichael Middle School, Highlands Middle School vs. Desert Hills Middle School
Recent Articles
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
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
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
