Average
#2107 of 3,813 schools in IL
Northwestern High School
High School · Northwestern CUSD 2
30889 Route 111, Palmyra, IL 62674
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmyra
#2 of 3
public schools
Illinois high schools
#391 of 703
In district
#2 of 3
Northwestern CUSD 2
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Northwestern High School
Northwestern High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Palmyra, Illinois. With an enrollment of just 84 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment where each student can receive individual attention from the 13 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Northwestern High School focuses on providing a supportive educational experience for its students in grades 9 through 12.
While the MySchoolScout Rating indicates room for academic growth with a score of 3.9 out of 10, the school is committed to improving and helping each student reach their full potential. The state ranking places Northwestern High School at #3225 among 3819 schools in Illinois, which means there's an opportunity for improvement in areas such as ELA/Reading proficiency (17%) and Math proficiency (10%). Northwestern High School is situated in a small rural setting where the community values close-knit relationships and a strong sense of belonging.
The school’s location offers students a peaceful environment conducive to learning, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and involvement in local community events.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 84 students, Northwestern High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Northwestern High 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, Northwestern High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Northwestern High School — Students at Northwestern High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.1%
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: 6.4/10.
How Northwestern High School Compares
See how Northwestern High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
30889 Route 111, Palmyra, IL 62674
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwestern High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Carlinville High School (rated 6.7/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Carlinville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Waverly Jr/Sr High School (rated 6.3/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Waverly), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Auburn High School (rated 5.5/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Auburn), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Palmyra, see our Palmyra schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Jr High School Palmyra | 0.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Northwestern Elem School Palmyra | 0.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Waverly Elementary School Waverly | 10.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Waverly Jr/Sr High School Waverly | 10.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Franklin East Grade School Franklin | 12.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin Jr/Sr High School Franklin | 12.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Franklin Elementary School Franklin | 12.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Carlinville Intermediate School Carlinville | 12.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Carlinville High School Carlinville | 12.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Carlinville Middle School Carlinville | 12.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Carlinville Primary School Carlinville | 13.5 mi | 8.5 |
| North Mac Intermediate Girard | 11.3 mi | 5.2 |
| North Mac Middle School Girard | 11.3 mi | 3.9 |
| North Mac Elementary Virden | 12.4 mi | 5.4 |
| North Mac High School Virden | 12.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Greenfield High School Greenfield | 13.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Greenfield Elem School Greenfield | 13.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Auburn High School Auburn | 16.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Auburn Middle School Auburn | 16.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Auburn Elem School Auburn | 16.7 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62674 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,196
Median Home Value
$102,600
Median Rent
$695/mo
Population
1,319
College Educated
13.6%
Homeownership
79.1%
Avg Commute
38.9 min
Poverty Rate
20.5%
Median Age
46.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwestern High School has a median household income of $54,196. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $102,600, with a median rent of $695/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 39 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 |
|---|---|
| Alden-Hebron High School Hebron, IL | 6.1 |
| Carrier Mills-Stonefort H S Carrier Mills, IL | 6.1 |
| Bement High School Bement, IL | 6.0 |
| Elverado High School Elkville, IL | 6.0 |
| Mulberry Grove Sr High School Mulberry Grove, IL | 6.0 |
| Williams Medical Prep High Sch Chicago, IL | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwestern High School
What grades does Northwestern High School serve?
Northwestern High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Northwestern High School?
Northwestern High School has an enrollment of approximately 84 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern High School is 6.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwestern High School rank in IL?
Northwestern High School is ranked #2107 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Northwestern High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Northwestern High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern High School has 10.0% math proficiency and 16.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwestern High School a charter school?
No, Northwestern High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwestern High School a Title I school?
No, Northwestern High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwestern High School?
57.1% of students at Northwestern High 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (173/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 84
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Macoupin County
- Phone
- (217) 436-2011
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwestern CUSD 2- District Enrollment
- 320
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,915
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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