Average
#4981 of 9,533 schools in CA
Northwood High
High School · Irvine Unified
4515 Portola Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92620
Enrollment
2,310
Student-Teacher
26.9:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,310
Student-Teacher
26.9:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Irvine
#28 of 47
public schools
California high schools
#1,047 of 1,892
In district
#26 of 43
Irvine Unified
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwood High
Northwood High serves 2,310 students in grades 9-12 in Irvine, California, earning strong recognition as the 1,850th ranked high school out of 9,566 schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile. With 86 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26.9:1. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, with 72% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 66% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for college and career success. Northwood High has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10, with particularly strong marks in academics. Located at 4515 Portola Parkway, the school draws from an affluent and highly educated community where 72% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding zip code 92620 has a median household income of $135,494 and median home value of $1,142,700, with a relatively low poverty rate of 9.4%. This educated, prosperous environment with over 61,000 residents provides a supportive backdrop for the school's educational mission. Northwood High operates within Irvine's master-planned community atmosphere, benefiting from the city's reputation for excellent schools and family-oriented neighborhoods.
What's said publicly about Northwood High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Northwood High is a large school with 2,310 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Northwood High is 26.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Northwood High — Students at Northwood High score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.
How Northwood High Compares
See how Northwood High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 66.44% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 71.74% (2024).
Location
4515 Portola Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92620
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwood High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Arnold O. Beckman High (rated 8.1/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Tustin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CREAN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Irvine, see our Irvine schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Canyon View Elementary Irvine | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| NORTHWOOD MONTESSORI OF IRVINE Irvine | 0.6 mi | — |
| Northwood Montessori School of Irvine Irvine | 0.6 mi | — |
| Orchard Hills Irvine | 0.6 mi | 8.0 |
| LEPORT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Irvine | 0.6 mi | — |
| Santiago Hills Elementary Irvine | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Eastwood Elementary Irvine | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Hicks Canyon Elementary Tustin | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| GREAT FOUNDATIONS MONTESSORI Irvine | 1.6 mi | — |
| Sierra Vista Middle Irvine | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Myford Elementary Tustin | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Peters Canyon Elementary Tustin | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Pioneer Middle Tustin | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Stonegate Elementary Irvine | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Ladera Elementary Tustin | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Brywood Elementary Irvine | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Joseph of Cupertino Classical Academy Irvine | 2.0 mi | — |
| Northwood Elementary Irvine | 2.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Arnold O. Beckman High Tustin | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| CREAN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Irvine | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92620 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$144,572
Median Home Value
$1,204,100
Median Rent
$3,125/mo
Population
61,744
College Educated
71.7%
Homeownership
56.4%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwood High has a median household income of $144,572. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,204,100, with a median rent of $3,125/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| California High San Ramon, CA | 6.3 |
| Colony High Ontario, CA | 6.3 |
| Eastside High Lancaster, CA | 6.3 |
| Lathrop High Manteca, CA | 6.3 |
| Liberty High Brentwood, CA | 6.3 |
| Manteca High Manteca, CA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwood High
What grades does Northwood High serve?
Northwood High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Northwood High?
Northwood High has an enrollment of approximately 2,310 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood High?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwood High is 26.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwood High rank in CA?
Northwood High is ranked #4981 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Northwood High's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwood High has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Northwood High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwood High has 71.5% math proficiency and 76.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwood High a charter school?
No, Northwood High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwood High a Title I school?
No, Northwood High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwood High?
19.5% of students at Northwood High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,310
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 86
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 936-7200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Irvine Unified- District Enrollment
- 37,731
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,405
- District Rank
- #26 of 43
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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