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
Enrollment
2,386
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Northwest High — Students at Northwest High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
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 8 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: 2.0/10.
How Northwest High Compares
See how Northwest High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 7.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 71.6% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (240) 740-7100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #162 of 206
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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