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Below Average

#1163 of 1,363 schools in MD

Northwestern High

High School · Prince George's County Public Schools

7000 Adelphi Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782

Enrollment

2,381

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,163 of 1,363

In Hyattsville

#11 of 13

public schools

In district

#154 of 194

Prince George's County Public Schools

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Northwestern High

4.4/10

High School in Hyattsville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Greenwood School Operated by Georgetown Hill

Nearby

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Chelsea School

7.7/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Northwestern High

Northwestern High is a public high school in Hyattsville, MD, part of Prince George's County Public Schools. Northwestern High serves approximately 2,381 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwestern High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,163 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Northwestern High show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Northwestern High is a large school: 2,381 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.

62% of students at Northwestern 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 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.3% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.4% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-22.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.7 pts
Overall Proficiency25% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate71%
AP Participation13.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,789
Chronic Absenteeism62.1%

Northwestern High — Students at Northwestern High score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 52.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
64%
ELA
65%
2015
Math
60%
ELA
66%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
23%
2018
Math
16%
ELA
31%
2019
Math
16%
ELA
31%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
30%
2025
Math
7.3%
ELA
42.4%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Northwestern High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
15th percentile in MD
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 3.1
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
143 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
62.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
13.8% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·12 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

7000 Adelphi Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwestern High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. College Park Academy (rated 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Riverdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHELSEA SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DEMATHA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hyattsville, see our Hyattsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
GREENWOOD SCHOOL OPERATED BY GEORGETOWN HILL Hyattsville 0.4 mi
CHELSEA SCHOOL Hyattsville 0.6 mi 7.7
University Park Elementary Hyattsville 0.7 mi 6.9
Nicholas Orem Middle Hyattsville 0.8 mi 6.6
Lewisdale Elementary Hyattsville 0.7 mi 4.4
Edward M. Felegy ES Hyattsville 0.9 mi 8.1
Hyattsville Middle Hyattsville 1.1 mi 5.7
Rosa L. Parks Elementary Hyattsville 1.2 mi 3.9
DEMATHA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hyattsville 1.3 mi 7.0
Hyattsville Elementary Hyattsville 1.5 mi 7.4
ST JEROME ACADEMY Hyattsville 1.6 mi 5.6
Cesar Chavez Elementary Hyattsville 1.5 mi 7.3
Mary Harris Mother Jones Elem Adelphi 1.8 mi 4.4
College Park Academy Riverdale 1.5 mi 8.2
Riverdale Elementary Riverdale 1.7 mi 5.3
Thomas S. Stone Elementary Mt. Rainier 2.0 mi 5.6
Carole Highlands Elementary Takoma Park 1.7 mi 4.8
Paint Branch Elementary College Park 1.7 mi 5.1
Adelphi Elementary Adelphi 2.1 mi 4.9
Langley Park-McCormick Elementary Hyattsville 1.9 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20782 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,226

Median Home Value

$431,300

Median Rent

$1,789/mo

Population

34,646

College Educated

37.3%

Homeownership

43.9%

Avg Commute

35.2 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

36.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Gaithersburg High Gaithersburg, MD 4.4
High Point High Beltsville, MD 4.5
Bladensburg High Bladensburg, MD 4.7
Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High Upper Marlboro, MD 4.7
South Hagerstown High Hagerstown, MD 4.7
Suitland High Suitland, MD 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwestern High

What grades does Northwestern High serve?

Northwestern High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Northwestern High?

Northwestern High has an enrollment of approximately 2,381 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern High?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern High is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwestern High rank in MD?

Northwestern High ranks #1,163 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Northwestern High's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwestern High has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Northwestern High a charter school?

No, Northwestern High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northwestern High a Title I school?

No, Northwestern High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwestern High?

79.3% of students at Northwestern 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
46 Some Transit
Bike Score
68 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,381
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
143
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Prince George's County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
62.1%
4-Year Graduation
71.0%

District

Prince George's County Public Schools
District Enrollment
131,310
Schools in District
199
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,789
District Rank
#154 of 194

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