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Very Good

#405 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 30% in state

Northern Middle

Middle School · Washington County Public Schools

701 Northern Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Enrollment

822

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#405 of 1,363

In Hagerstown

#6 of 22

public schools

In district

#12 of 42

Washington County Public Schools

Academic performance

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Northern Middle

7.5/10

Middle School in Hagerstown · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

North Hagerstown High

6.3/10

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

Fountaindale Elementary

8.5/10

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

About Northern Middle

Northern Middle is a public middle school in Hagerstown, MD, part of Washington County Public Schools. Northern Middle serves approximately 822 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #405 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Northern Middle show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.5
  • MD avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

32% of students at Northern Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.9% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.7% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-0.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.4 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment6.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,937
Chronic Absenteeism31.8%

Northern Middle — Students at Northern Middle score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 51.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
41%
2025
Math
29.9%
ELA
50.7%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Northern Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
70th percentile in MD
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
6.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
61 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

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

701 Northern Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (rated 9.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fountaindale Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Jonathan Hager Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.4 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 6.3
Fountaindale Elementary Hagerstown 0.3 mi 8.5
ST MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hagerstown 0.7 mi 6.6
Western Heights Middle Hagerstown 0.9 mi 6.9
Marshall Street School Hagerstown 1.0 mi 2.5
Washington County Job Development Center Hagerstown 1.0 mi 7.5
Potomac Heights Elementary Hagerstown 1.1 mi 6.1
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.6 mi 5.3
Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Hagerstown 1.7 mi 9.1
HAGERSTOWN CHILDRENS SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.7 mi
Salem Avenue Elementary Hagerstown 1.4 mi 6.4
Paramount Elementary Hagerstown 1.6 mi 7.5
TRUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hagerstown 1.6 mi 6.4
Pangborn Elementary Hagerstown 2.1 mi 4.9
Bester Elementary Hagerstown 2.3 mi 4.8
Maugansville Elementary Maugansville 2.3 mi 6.3
PARADISE MENNONITE SCHOOL Hagerstown 2.8 mi 4.5
Jonathan Hager Elementary Hagerstown 2.4 mi 8.1
Eastern Elementary Hagerstown 3.0 mi 5.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Kingsview Middle Germantown, MD 7.5
Bel Air Middle Bel Air, MD 7.4
Braddock Middle Cumberland, MD 7.6
Fallston Middle School Fallston, MD 7.6
Kenmoor Middle Landover, MD 7.6
Lake Elkhorn Middle Columbia, MD 7.4

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 ranks #405 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Northern Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Northern Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern Middle has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
18 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

District

Washington County Public Schools
District Enrollment
22,549
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,937
District Rank
#12 of 42

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