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Excellent

#124 of 1,288 schools in LA

Top 10% 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

8.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Louisiana schools

#124 of 1,288

In Zachary

#1 of 7

public schools

In district

#1 of 7

Zachary Community School District

Equity

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Northwestern Middle School

8.4/10

Middle School in Zachary · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northwestern Elementary School

6.9/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Zachary High School

6.7/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Northwestern Middle School

Northwestern Middle School is a public middle school in Zachary, LA, part of Zachary Community School District. Northwestern Middle School serves approximately 873 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwestern Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #124 of 1,288 schools in LA.

Structured state assessment records for Northwestern Middle School show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.6
  • LA avg 6.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100% (2025 LEAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66% (2025 LEAP)
Math vs. State Avg+68.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.3 pts
Overall Proficiency83% (2025 LEAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 LEAP)
vs. Expected+33.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,935
Chronic Absenteeism9.4%

Northwestern Middle School — Students at Northwestern Middle School score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores LA LEAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.3% (2025 LEAP)
ELA Proficiency 82.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.1% (2025 LEAP)

Based on 37 test records from LA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
79%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
86%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
80%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
84%
ELA
91%
2016
Math
85%
ELA
90%
2017
Math
85%
ELA
90%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
91%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
91%
2020*
Math
41%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
44%
ELA
69%
2025
Math
61.3%
ELA
66%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Northwestern Middle School Compares

See how Northwestern Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
91th percentile in LA
Academic
9.7/10
Excellent
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.8/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Baker Middle School (rated 3.3/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Baker), a more accessible option. Additionally, Helix Aviation Academy (rated 3.0/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Baton Rouge), 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 6.9
Zachary High School Zachary 0.5 mi 6.7
Rollins Place Elementary Zachary 0.6 mi 6.0
Zachary Early Learning Center Zachary 0.6 mi 4.8
Zachary Elementary School Zachary 1.2 mi 6.9
Copper Mill Elementary/Middle School Zachary 2.3 mi 6.8
Brownfields Elementary School Baker 4.3 mi 5.8
White Hills Elementary School Baker 4.3 mi 5.8
Slaughter Elementary School Slaughter 4.5 mi 4.6
Slaughter Community Charter School Slaughter 4.6 mi 6.0
Baker High School Baker 4.7 mi 3.9
Baker Heights Elementary School Baker 5.0 mi 2.6
Baker Middle School Baker 5.0 mi 3.3
Park Ridge Academic Magnet School Baker 5.0 mi 6.7
Advantage Charter Academy Baker 5.2 mi 4.9
Impact Charter School Baton Rouge 5.4 mi 5.9
GEO Prep Baker Baker 5.8 mi 5.3
Helix Aviation Academy Baton Rouge 7.9 mi 3.0
ZACHARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Zachary 6.8 mi 7.2
Ryan Elementary School Baton Rouge 8.1 mi 3.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Glasgow Middle School Baton Rouge, LA 8.4
Central Middle School Central, LA 8.5
Moss Bluff Middle School Lake Charles, LA 8.5
W. W. Lewis Middle School Sulphur, LA 8.3
Caddo Parish Middle Magnet School Shreveport, LA 8.6
Lake Harbor Middle School Mandeville, LA 8.6

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 ranks #124 of 1,288 schools in LA.

What is Northwestern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Northwestern Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwestern Middle School has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.4%

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