Very Good
#189 of 1,288 schools in LA
Top 15% in state
Northwestern Middle School
Middle School · Zachary Community School District
5200 East Central Avenue, Zachary, LA 70791
Enrollment
873
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
873
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Zachary
#1 of 7
public schools
Louisiana middle schools
#65 of 219
In district
#1 of 7
Zachary Community School District
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwestern Middle School
Northwestern Middle School serves 873 seventh and eighth-grade students in Zachary, Louisiana, maintaining a manageable 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio with 59 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned strong recognition, ranking 161st out of 1,290 Louisiana schools and placing in the 88th percentile statewide with a solid 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Northwestern Middle School demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, where 69% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 44% of students reaching proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 8.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement and educational excellence. The school draws from a stable community in the 70791 ZIP code, where families enjoy a median household income of $78,977 and median home values of $263,700.
With 38% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 7.0%, the area provides a supportive educational environment. Northwestern Middle School is situated in East Baton Rouge Parish, positioned in a town setting on the fringe of an urban area that offers both community closeness and access to broader metropolitan resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Northwestern Middle School — Students at Northwestern Middle School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from LA 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: 8.3/10.
How Northwestern Middle School Compares
See how Northwestern Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 91% (2019) to 69% (2022).
Location
5200 East Central Avenue, Zachary, LA 70791
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwestern Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Copper Mill Elementary/Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Helix Aviation Academy (rated 5.2/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Baton Rouge), a more accessible option. Additionally, Baker Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Baker), a more accessible option. For more schools in Zachary, see our Zachary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Elementary School Zachary | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Zachary High School Zachary | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Rollins Place Elementary Zachary | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Zachary Early Learning Center Zachary | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Zachary Elementary School Zachary | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Copper Mill Elementary/Middle School Zachary | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Brownfields Elementary School Baker | 4.3 mi | 5.1 |
| White Hills Elementary School Baker | 4.3 mi | 2.7 |
| Slaughter Elementary School Slaughter | 4.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Slaughter Community Charter School Slaughter | 4.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Baker High School Baker | 4.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Baker Heights Elementary School Baker | 5.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Baker Middle School Baker | 5.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Park Ridge Academic Magnet School Baker | 5.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Advantage Charter Academy Baker | 5.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Impact Charter School Baton Rouge | 5.4 mi | 7.6 |
| GEO Prep Baker Baker | 5.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Helix Aviation Academy Baton Rouge | 7.9 mi | 5.2 |
| ZACHARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Zachary | 6.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Ryan Elementary School Baton Rouge | 8.1 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 70791 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,243
Median Home Value
$269,800
Median Rent
$1,389/mo
Population
30,097
College Educated
39.2%
Homeownership
84.1%
Avg Commute
27.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwestern Middle School has a median household income of $80,243. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $269,800, with a median rent of $1,389/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| Elm Grove Middle School Bossier City, LA | 7.9 |
| Livaudais Middle School Terrytown, LA | 7.9 |
| Ridgewood Middle School Shreveport, LA | 7.9 |
| West Ridge Middle School West Monroe, LA | 7.9 |
| Rusheon Middle School Bossier City, LA | 8.0 |
| Tchefuncte Middle School Mandeville, LA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwestern Middle School
What grades does Northwestern Middle School serve?
Northwestern Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Northwestern Middle School?
Northwestern Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 873 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Middle School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwestern Middle School rank in LA?
Northwestern Middle School is ranked #189 out of 1,288 schools in LA.
What is Northwestern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern Middle School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Northwestern Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern Middle School has 58.5% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwestern Middle School a charter school?
No, Northwestern Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwestern Middle School a Title I school?
No, Northwestern Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwestern Middle School?
55.4% of students at Northwestern 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Zachary). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 873
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- East Baton Rouge Parish
- Phone
- (225) 654-9201
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Zachary Community School District- District Enrollment
- 5,753
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,935
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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.
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