Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,027

Northwood Middle School — Students at Northwood Middle School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
36%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
37%
2022
ELA
34%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
90th percentile in IL
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (864/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Highland Park). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Shore SD 112
District Enrollment
3,774
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,799
District Rank
#4 of 9

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 methodology

Related 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.