Excellent
#400 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 11% in state
Northwood Middle School
Middle School · North Shore SD 112
945 North Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035
Enrollment
532
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
532
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Highland Park
#5 of 9
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#64 of 684
In district
#4 of 9
North Shore SD 112
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwood Middle School
Northwood Middle School serves 532 students in grades 6-8 in Highland Park, Illinois, offering a solid middle school experience with a favorable 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. The school ranks #835 out of 3,819 Illinois schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide with a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. With 49 full-time equivalent teachers, students receive personalized attention in their academic journey.
Academically, Northwood shows steady performance with 34% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels. The school maintains a 7.0 academic score, reflecting consistent educational delivery during these crucial middle school years when students develop foundational skills for high school success. The school draws from Highland Park's highly educated community in the 60035 ZIP code, where 76% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $159,519.
This affluent suburban setting, with a median home value of $593,100 and low 3.4% poverty rate, creates a supportive educational environment. The neighborhood's 30,215 residents contribute to a stable, resource-rich community that values academic achievement. Northwood Middle School sits in Highland Park's large suburban landscape, providing students with both educational opportunities and the benefits of a well-established, prosperous Lake County community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwood Middle School — Students at Northwood Middle School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.5%
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: 7.0/10.
How Northwood Middle School Compares
See how Northwood Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 31% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 34% (2022).
Location
945 North Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwood Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Edgewood Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Deer Path Middle Sch East (rated 7.1/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Lake Forest), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Highland Park, see our Highland Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne Thomas Elem School Highland Park | 0.1 mi | 9.6 |
| Oak Terrace Elem School Highwood | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Highland Park High School Highland Park | 1.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Cherokee Elem School Lake Forest | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| ARLYN DAY SCHOOL Highland Park | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Indian Trail Elem School Highland Park | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Edgewood Middle School Highland Park | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| MONTESSORI CONNECTION WEST Highland Park | 2.2 mi | — |
| WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART Lake Forest | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Walden Elem School Deerfield | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Deerfield High School Deerfield | 1.9 mi | 8.9 |
| LAKE FOREST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Lake Forest | 2.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Sherwood Elem School Highland Park | 2.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Red Oak Elem School Highland Park | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Kipling Elem School Deerfield | 2.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Bannockburn School Bannockburn | 2.3 mi | 8.8 |
| SCHOOL OF ST MARY Lake Forest | 3.2 mi | 7.0 |
| HIGHLAND PARK MONTESSORI Highland Park | 3.2 mi | — |
| SCHOOL OF ST MARY UPPER GRADE CENTER Lake Forest | 2.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Deer Path Middle Sch East Lake Forest | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60035 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$161,811
Median Home Value
$594,600
Median Rent
$1,903/mo
Population
30,236
College Educated
76.1%
Homeownership
83.7%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Median Age
46
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwood Middle School has a median household income of $161,811. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $594,600, with a median rent of $1,903/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Carleton W Washburne School Winnetka, IL | 8.0 |
| Dunlap Middle School Dunlap, IL | 8.0 |
| Lincoln Jr High School Skokie, IL | 8.0 |
| MacArthur Middle School Prospect Heights, IL | 8.0 |
| Wood Oaks Jr High School Northbrook, IL | 8.0 |
| Daniel Wright Jr High School Lincolnshire, IL | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwood Middle School
What grades does Northwood Middle School serve?
Northwood Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Northwood Middle School?
Northwood Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 532 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwood Middle School is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwood Middle School rank in IL?
Northwood Middle School is ranked #400 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Northwood Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwood Middle School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwood Middle School has 33.5% math proficiency and 38.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwood Middle School a charter school?
No, Northwood Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwood Middle School a Title I school?
No, Northwood Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwood Middle School?
41.5% of students at Northwood 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 532
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (224) 765-3600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Shore SD 112- District Enrollment
- 3,774
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,799
- District Rank
- #4 of 9
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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