Below Average
#3129 of 3,813 schools in IL
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
4.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
518
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
4.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,129 of 3,813
In Chicago
#517 of 630
public schools
In district
#509 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
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Northwest Middle School
Middle School in Chicago · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Belmont-cragin Elem School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Christopher House Chrt ES
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Northwest Middle School
Northwest Middle School is a public middle school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Northwest Middle School serves approximately 518 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwest Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,129 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Northwest Middle School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 6.0
- IL avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
43% of students at Northwest Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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 27 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: 4.4/10.
How Northwest Middle School Compares
See how Northwest Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Horizon Science Acad-Belmont (rated 8.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Christopher House Chrt ES (rated 8.0/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST GENEVIEVE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 4.6 |
| Christopher House Chrt ES Chicago | 0.1 mi | 8.0 |
| NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.2 mi | — |
| Prosser Career Academy HS Chicago | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Noble St Chtr-ITW Speer Acad Chicago | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Hanson Park Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Prieto Math-Science Elem Sch Chicago | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Schubert Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | — |
| ST GENEVIEVE SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Lloyd Elem School Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Horizon Science Acad-Belmont Chicago | 0.7 mi | 8.1 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 1.0 mi | — |
| Lewis Elem School Chicago | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Falconer Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Young Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 4.3 |
| CICS - West Belden Campus Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Camras Elem School Chicago | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Foreman High School Chicago | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Elem Kewanee, IL | 4.7 |
| Drauden Point Middle School Plainfield, IL | 4.7 |
| Edith M Smith Middle School Waukegan, IL | 4.7 |
| Herget Middle School Aurora, IL | 4.7 |
| Momence Jr High School Momence, IL | 4.7 |
| Zadok Casey Middle School Mount Vernon, IL | 4.7 |
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 ranks #3,129 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Northwest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Northwest Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwest Middle School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.4%
- Phone
- (773) 534-3250
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #509 of 621
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