Average
#578 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 42% in state
Northwestern Elementary
Elementary School · Wicomico County Public Schools
9975 Sharptown Rd, Mardela Springs, MD 21837
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#578 of 1,363
In Mardela Springs
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#10 of 25
Wicomico County Public Schools
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Excellent
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Northwestern Elementary
Elementary School in Mardela Springs · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mardela Middle & High
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Westside Intermediate
4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Northwestern Elementary
Northwestern Elementary is a public elementary school in Mardela Springs, MD, part of Wicomico County Public Schools. Northwestern Elementary serves approximately 335 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwestern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #578 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Northwestern Elementary show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Northwestern Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwestern Elementary — Students at Northwestern Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.4%
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: 6.2/10.
How Northwestern Elementary Compares
See how Northwestern Elementary 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
9975 Sharptown Rd, Mardela Springs, MD 21837
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwestern Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Salisbury Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vienna Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Vienna), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Westside Primary (rated 8.1/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Quantico), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mardela Springs, see our Mardela Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mardela Middle & High Mardela Springs | 0.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Westside Intermediate Hebron | 4.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Vienna Elementary School Vienna | 4.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Westside Primary Quantico | 7.5 mi | 8.1 |
| West Salisbury Salisbury | 9.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Pemberton Elementary Salisbury | 10.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Salisbury Middle Salisbury | 9.8 mi | 7.2 |
| North Dorchester Middle School Hurlock | 10.5 mi | 7.0 |
| North Dorchester High School Hurlock | 10.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Charles H. Chipman Elementary Salisbury | 10.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Delmar Elementary Delmar | 9.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Pinehurst Elementary Salisbury | 10.9 mi | 5.6 |
| North Salisbury Elementary Salisbury | 10.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Delmar Middle School Delmar | 9.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Delmar High School Delmar | 9.9 mi | 5.6 |
| STEPPING STONES LEARNING ACADEMY Fruitland | 11.9 mi | 6.7 |
| ASBURY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Salisbury | 11.7 mi | — |
| Wicomico Middle Salisbury | 11.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Fruitland Intermediate Fruitland | 12.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Bennett Middle Fruitland | 12.4 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21837 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,667
Median Home Value
$206,100
Median Rent
$1,142/mo
Population
2,975
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
86.5%
Avg Commute
25.7 min
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Median Age
39.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Church Hill Elementary School Church Hill, MD | 6.8 |
| Overlook Elementary Temple Hills, MD | 6.8 |
| ST JANE DE CHANTAL SCHOOL Bethesda, MD | 6.8 |
| West Side Elementary Cumberland, MD | 6.8 |
| Bedford Elementary Baltimore, MD | 6.7 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia, MD | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwestern Elementary
What grades does Northwestern Elementary serve?
Northwestern Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Northwestern Elementary?
Northwestern Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 335 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Elementary is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwestern Elementary rank in MD?
Northwestern Elementary ranks #578 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Northwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Northwestern Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwestern Elementary has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Northwestern Elementary a charter school?
No, Northwestern Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwestern Elementary a Title I school?
No, Northwestern Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwestern Elementary?
53.4% of students at Northwestern Elementary 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 335
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wicomico County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.0%
- Phone
- (410) 677-5808
Resources & Links
District
Wicomico County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,086
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,486
- District Rank
- #10 of 25
Other Schools in This District
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