Average
#1046 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
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,381
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hyattsville
#8 of 13
public schools
Maryland high schools
#112 of 226
In district
#147 of 194
Prince George's County Public Schools
About Northwestern High
Northwestern High serves 2,381 students in grades 9-12 in Hyattsville, Maryland, operating as a large comprehensive public high school in Prince George's County. With 143 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individualized attention. Academically, Northwestern High faces significant challenges with room for substantial growth.
The school currently ranks in the 11th percentile statewide, with 30% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 6% reaching proficiency in mathematics. These performance levels indicate the school is working to better serve its diverse student population and improve educational outcomes across all subject areas. The school draws from a stable middle-class community where the median household income reaches $82,037 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 7.7%.
About 36% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values of $396,600 reflect the neighborhood's established character. Northwestern High's substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger high schools in the region, offering the potential for diverse programming and activities typical of comprehensive high schools. The school sits in Hyattsville's large suburban setting, serving families throughout this well-established Prince George's County community.
What Parents Should Know
Northwestern High is a large school with 2,381 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwestern High — Students at Northwestern High score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.3%
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: 6.6/10.
How Northwestern High Compares
See how Northwestern High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 10.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 31% (2019) to 42.4% (2025).
Location
7000 Adelphi Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwestern High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CHELSEA SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DEMATHA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, College Park Academy (rated 6.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Riverdale), 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 | 8.4 |
| Nicholas Orem Middle Hyattsville | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Lewisdale Elementary Hyattsville | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Edward M. Felegy ES Hyattsville | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Hyattsville Middle Hyattsville | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Rosa L. Parks Elementary Hyattsville | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| DEMATHA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hyattsville | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Hyattsville Elementary Hyattsville | 1.5 mi | 8.6 |
| ST JEROME ACADEMY Hyattsville | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary Hyattsville | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Mary Harris Mother Jones Elem Adelphi | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| College Park Academy Riverdale | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Riverdale Elementary Riverdale | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Thomas S. Stone Elementary Mt. Rainier | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Carole Highlands Elementary Takoma Park | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Paint Branch Elementary College Park | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Adelphi Elementary Adelphi | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Langley Park-McCormick Elementary Hyattsville | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwestern High has a median household income of $88,226. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $431,300, with a median rent of $1,789/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Atholton High Columbia, MD | 5.3 |
| Broadneck High Annapolis, MD | 5.3 |
| Crofton High School Gambrills, MD | 5.3 |
| Eleanor Roosevelt High Greenbelt, MD | 5.3 |
| Old Mill High Millersville, MD | 5.3 |
| Arundel High Gambrills, MD | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #1046 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Northwestern High's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern High has a composite rating of 5.3 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern High has 11.9% math proficiency and 33.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 54 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 46 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 68 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,028/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hyattsville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (301) 985-1820
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Prince George's County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 131,310
- Schools in District
- 199
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,789
- District Rank
- #147 of 194
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.