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Average

#925 of 1,363 schools in MD

Northwest High

High School · Montgomery County Public Schools

13501 Richter Farm Rd, Germantown, MD 20874

Enrollment

2,386

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Germantown

#16 of 20

public schools

Maryland high schools

#70 of 226

In district

#162 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

About Northwest High

Northwest High serves 2,386 students in grades 9-12 in Germantown, Maryland, earning recognition as one of Montgomery County's stronger academic institutions. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking 216th among Maryland's 1,364 schools, the school places in the 84th percentile statewide. The student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 allows 144 full-time equivalent teachers to work closely with their students.

Academically, Northwest High demonstrates solid performance with an impressive 9.2 out of 10 academic score. Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 73% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents opportunities for continued growth, with 52% of students reaching proficiency standards.

The school draws from an educated and economically stable community where 47% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $108,211. With a low poverty rate of 8.2% in the surrounding 20874 ZIP code, families have invested significantly in the area, reflected in the median home value of $376,100. Northwest High operates in a large suburban setting that combines residential neighborhoods with convenient access to both Washington D.C. and the broader Montgomery County area, providing students with diverse opportunities for internships, cultural experiences, and post-secondary planning.

What Parents Should Know

Northwest High is a large school with 2,386 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-4.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.6%
Math vs. State Avg-22.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.5 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation60.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,101

Northwest High — Students at Northwest High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.7%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 70.4%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
59%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
69%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
73%
2025
Math
7.8%
ELA
71.6%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Northwest High Compares

See how Northwest High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
32th percentile in MD
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
144 teachers

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. Seneca Valley High (rated 7.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Quince Orchard High (rated 7.0/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Gaithersburg), which scores notably higher. 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 5.9
Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary Germantown 0.7 mi 8.3
Longview School Germantown 0.7 mi 4.4
Kingsview Middle Germantown 1.0 mi 5.9
Germantown Elementary Germantown 1.3 mi 6.2
Clopper Mill Elementary Germantown 1.1 mi 6.3
Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary Germantown 1.4 mi 6.4
S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary Germantown 1.5 mi 6.9
Seneca Valley High Germantown 1.8 mi 7.0
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Germantown 2.0 mi 7.2
Lake Seneca Elementary Germantown 2.2 mi 5.5
Thurgood Marshall Elementary Gaithersburg 2.0 mi 6.1
Roberto W. Clemente Middle Germantown 1.9 mi 5.1
BUTLER MONTESSORI Darnestown 2.5 mi 5.9
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Germantown 2.1 mi 8.1
Waters Landing Elementary Germantown 2.6 mi 6.0
Ridgeview Middle Gaithersburg 2.3 mi 6.1
Fox Chapel Elementary Germantown 2.4 mi 5.2
Diamond Elementary Gaithersburg 2.4 mi 6.6
Quince Orchard High Gaithersburg 2.8 mi 7.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northwest High has a median household income of $109,648. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $385,300, with a median rent of $1,938/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Howard High Ellicott City, MD 5.7
John F. Kennedy High Silver Spring, MD 5.7
Marriotts Ridge High Marriottsville, MD 5.7
Meade High Ft. Meade, MD 5.7
Oxon Hill High Oxon Hill, MD 5.8
Parkdale High Riverdale, MD 5.8

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 is ranked #925 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Northwest High's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwest High has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Northwest High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest High has 46.7% math proficiency and 70.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Montgomery County Public Schools
District Enrollment
160,223
Schools in District
211
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,456
District Rank
#162 of 206

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.

Read our full methodology

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