Very Good
#520 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 38% in state
Northern Middle
Middle School · Washington County Public Schools
701 Northern Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742
Enrollment
822
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
822
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hagerstown
#10 of 22
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#29 of 224
In district
#19 of 42
Washington County Public Schools
Academic growth
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Northern Middle
Northern Middle serves students in grades six through eight in Hagerstown, Maryland, located in Washington County's small city setting. The school enrolls 822 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, supported by 61 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Northern Middle has a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks at the 76th percentile among Maryland schools (#333 out of 1,364 statewide).
The school shows varying performance across subject areas, with 41% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading. Mathematics is an area where the school is focusing on student development, with 20% of students reaching proficiency or above. These results reflect opportunities for growth as the school continues working to strengthen its academic programs.
As a regular public middle school in Hagerstown, Northern Middle is part of the community fabric of this small city in Washington County.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northern Middle — Students at Northern Middle score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.3/10.
How Northern Middle Compares
See how Northern Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24% (2019) to 23.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 49.3% (2025).
Location
701 Northern Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northern Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Maugansville Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Maugansville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Potomac Heights Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Salem Avenue Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hagerstown, see our Hagerstown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Hagerstown High Hagerstown | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Fountaindale Elementary Hagerstown | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| ST MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hagerstown | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Western Heights Middle Hagerstown | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Marshall Street School Hagerstown | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Washington County Job Development Center Hagerstown | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Potomac Heights Elementary Hagerstown | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hagerstown | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Hagerstown | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| HAGERSTOWN CHILDRENS SCHOOL Hagerstown | 1.7 mi | — |
| Salem Avenue Elementary Hagerstown | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Paramount Elementary Hagerstown | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| TRUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hagerstown | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Pangborn Elementary Hagerstown | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Bester Elementary Hagerstown | 2.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Maugansville Elementary Maugansville | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| PARADISE MENNONITE SCHOOL Hagerstown | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Jonathan Hager Elementary Hagerstown | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Eastern Elementary Hagerstown | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| GRACE ACADEMY Hagerstown | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21742 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,533
Median Home Value
$280,100
Median Rent
$1,267/mo
Population
35,114
College Educated
29.9%
Homeownership
66.6%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northern Middle has a median household income of $80,533. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $280,100, with a median rent of $1,267/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Braddock Middle Cumberland, MD | 7.0 |
| Calvert Middle Prince Frederick, MD | 7.0 |
| Eastern Middle Silver Spring, MD | 7.0 |
| Fallston Middle School Fallston, MD | 7.0 |
| Perryville Middle Perryville, MD | 7.0 |
| Milton M. Somers Middle School La Plata, MD | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northern Middle
What grades does Northern Middle serve?
Northern Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Northern Middle?
Northern Middle has an enrollment of approximately 822 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Northern Middle is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northern Middle rank in MD?
Northern Middle is ranked #520 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Northern Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Northern Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern Middle has 18.7% math proficiency and 41.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northern Middle a charter school?
No, Northern Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northern Middle a Title I school?
No, Northern Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Middle?
69.2% of students at Northern Middle 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
- City Safety
- High (3,177/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hagerstown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 822
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (301) 766-8258
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washington County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 22,549
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,937
- District Rank
- #19 of 42
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.
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