Average
#1271 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 33% in state
Northwest Middle School
Middle School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
5252 W Palmer St, Chicago, IL 60639
Enrollment
518
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
518
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#222 of 629
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#228 of 684
In district
#220 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwest Middle School
Northwest Middle School is a public middle school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 518 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1 with 40 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is within a large city environment.
Northwest Middle School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10, placing it at the 25th percentile among Illinois schools. Academically, students tend to perform below average with only 8% proficient in English Language Arts and Reading, and 9% proficient in Math across all grades. While Northwest Middle School has room for academic growth, it focuses on providing a supportive educational environment for its diverse student body.
The school is situated in an urban area within Chicago's vibrant community, offering students access to the city’s cultural and recreational resources while fostering their personal development and social skills.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Northwest Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwest Middle School — Students at Northwest Middle School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL 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: 8.5/10.
How Northwest Middle School Compares
See how Northwest Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 7% (2022).
Location
5252 W Palmer St, Chicago, IL 60639
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST GENEVIEVE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Prosser Career Academy HS (rated 7.4/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Schubert Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Belmont-Cragin Elem School Chicago | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Christopher House Chrt ES Chicago | 0.1 mi | 5.9 |
| NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.2 mi | — |
| Prosser Career Academy HS Chicago | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Noble St Chtr-ITW Speer Acad Chicago | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Hanson Park Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Prieto Math-Science Elem Sch Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Schubert Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | — |
| ST GENEVIEVE SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Lloyd Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Horizon Science Acad-Belmont Chicago | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 1.0 mi | — |
| Lewis Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Falconer Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Young Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| CICS - West Belden Campus Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Camras Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Foreman High School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| ST ANGELA SCHOOL Chicago | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60639 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,710
Median Home Value
$289,000
Median Rent
$1,212/mo
Population
84,505
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
47.6%
Avg Commute
36.9 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
36.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest Middle School has a median household income of $59,710. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,000, with a median rent of $1,212/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Elden D Finley Jr High School Chicago Ridge, IL | 6.9 |
| Franklin Middle School Wheaton, IL | 6.9 |
| Jerling Junior High School Orland Park, IL | 6.9 |
| Mason/Clark Middle Sch East Saint Louis, IL | 6.9 |
| Northlake Middle School Northlake, IL | 6.9 |
| Oliver W Holmes Middle School Wheeling, IL | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest Middle School
What grades does Northwest Middle School serve?
Northwest Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Northwest Middle School?
Northwest Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 518 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Middle School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest Middle School rank in IL?
Northwest Middle School is ranked #1271 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Northwest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Middle School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Northwest Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest Middle School has 9.3% math proficiency and 8.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwest Middle School a charter school?
No, Northwest Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest Middle School a Title I school?
No, Northwest Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest Middle School?
77.6% of students at Northwest Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 75 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 61 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 77 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 518
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-3250
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #220 of 621
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.