Very Good
#448 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 33% in state
Northwest High
High School · Montgomery County Public Schools
13501 Richter Farm Rd, Germantown, MD 20874
Enrollment
2,386
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,386
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#448 of 1,363
In Germantown
#8 of 20
public schools
In district
#113 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Northwest High
High School in Germantown · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Great Seneca Creek Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Northwest High
Northwest High is a public high school in Germantown, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Northwest High serves approximately 2,386 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwest High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #448 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Northwest High show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 6.9
- MD avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Northwest High is a large school: 2,386 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.
32% of students at Northwest High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Northwest High — Students at Northwest High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from MD 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: 8.7/10.
How Northwest High Compares
See how Northwest High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
13501 Richter Farm Rd, Germantown, MD 20874
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Quince Orchard High (rated 7.9/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Gaithersburg), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Seneca Valley High (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Germantown, see our Germantown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Great Seneca Creek Elementary Germantown | 0.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary Germantown | 0.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Longview School Germantown | 0.7 mi | 2.2 |
| Kingsview Middle Germantown | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Germantown Elementary Germantown | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Clopper Mill Elementary Germantown | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary Germantown | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary Germantown | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Seneca Valley High Germantown | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Germantown | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Lake Seneca Elementary Germantown | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Thurgood Marshall Elementary Gaithersburg | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Roberto W. Clemente Middle Germantown | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| BUTLER MONTESSORI Darnestown | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Germantown | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Waters Landing Elementary Germantown | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Ridgeview Middle Gaithersburg | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Fox Chapel Elementary Germantown | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Diamond Elementary Gaithersburg | 2.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Quince Orchard High Gaithersburg | 2.8 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20874 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$109,648
Median Home Value
$385,300
Median Rent
$1,938/mo
Population
62,233
College Educated
48.7%
Homeownership
65.9%
Avg Commute
32.8 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
37.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Broadneck High Annapolis, MD | 7.3 |
| Col. Zadok Magruder High Rockville, MD | 7.3 |
| Northern High Owings, MD | 7.3 |
| Albert Einstein High Kensington, MD | 7.2 |
| Towson High Towson, MD | 7.4 |
| Atholton High Columbia, MD | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest High
What grades does Northwest High serve?
Northwest High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Northwest High?
Northwest High has an enrollment of approximately 2,386 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest High?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest High is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest High rank in MD?
Northwest High ranks #448 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Northwest High's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Northwest High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwest High has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Northwest High a charter school?
No, Northwest High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest High a Title I school?
No, Northwest High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest High?
34.2% of students at Northwest High 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,386
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 144
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Montgomery County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.4%
- Phone
- (240) 740-7100
- 4-Year Graduation
- 96.0%
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #113 of 206
Other Schools in This District
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