Average
#665 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 49% in state
Northwestern Elementary
Elementary School · Wicomico County Public Schools
9975 Sharptown Rd, Mardela Springs, MD 21837
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mardela Springs
#1 of 2
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#577 of 882
In district
#14 of 25
Wicomico County Public Schools
Equity
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwestern Elementary
Northwestern Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Mardela Springs, Maryland. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 335 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, with 21 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Northwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 6.2 out of 10, placing it in the 60th percentile among Maryland schools based on its state ranking of #552 out of 1364 schools.
Academically, the school has an overall score of 7.4/10, with 47% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 34% proficient or above in Math. Northwestern Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment that emphasizes student development and community engagement. The school is situated in a serene rural setting where close-knit relationships between staff, parents, and the broader community contribute to a nurturing educational atmosphere for young learners.
With its scenic location and dedicated teaching staff, Northwestern Elementary offers a warm and engaging place for children to grow academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwestern Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Northwestern Elementary — Students at Northwestern Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
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 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.0/10.
How Northwestern Elementary Compares
See how Northwestern Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 46.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57.1% (2025).
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. Vienna Elementary School (rated 9.8/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Vienna), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westside Intermediate (rated 9.2/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Hebron), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Salisbury Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), 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 | 5.0 |
| Westside Intermediate Hebron | 4.8 mi | 9.2 |
| Vienna Elementary School Vienna | 4.7 mi | 9.8 |
| Westside Primary Quantico | 7.5 mi | 7.8 |
| West Salisbury Salisbury | 9.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Pemberton Elementary Salisbury | 10.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Salisbury Middle Salisbury | 9.8 mi | 6.5 |
| North Dorchester Middle School Hurlock | 10.5 mi | 8.3 |
| North Dorchester High School Hurlock | 10.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Charles H. Chipman Elementary Salisbury | 10.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Delmar Elementary Delmar | 9.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Pinehurst Elementary Salisbury | 10.9 mi | 7.0 |
| North Salisbury Elementary Salisbury | 10.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Delmar Middle School Delmar | 9.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Delmar High School Delmar | 9.9 mi | 5.5 |
| STEPPING STONES LEARNING ACADEMY Fruitland | 11.9 mi | 6.8 |
| ASBURY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Salisbury | 11.7 mi | — |
| Wicomico Middle Salisbury | 11.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Fruitland Intermediate Fruitland | 12.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Bennett Middle Fruitland | 12.4 mi | 4.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwestern Elementary has a median household income of $71,667. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,100, with a median rent of $1,142/month. The local poverty rate of 4.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Belmont Elementary Olney, MD | 6.5 |
| Bond Mill Elementary Laurel, MD | 6.5 |
| Carmody Hills Elementary Capitol Heights, MD | 6.5 |
| Deep Creek Elementary Baltimore, MD | 6.5 |
| Edgewood Elementary Edgewood, MD | 6.5 |
| Flower Hill Elementary Gaithersburg, MD | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #665 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Northwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern Elementary has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Northwestern Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern Elementary has 35.7% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Average (502/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (410) 677-5808
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wicomico County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,086
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,486
- District Rank
- #14 of 25
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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