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Average

#595 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 44% in state

Northwood High

High School · Montgomery County Public Schools

919 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Enrollment

1,745

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Silver Spring

#25 of 53

public schools

Maryland high schools

#15 of 226

In district

#101 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Northwood High

Northwood High serves 1,745 students in grades 9-12 in Silver Spring, Maryland, operating as a regular public school within Montgomery County. With 129 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. Academically, Northwood High earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #384 out of 1,364 Maryland high schools, placing it in the 72nd percentile statewide.

The school shows particular strength in English Language Arts, with 63% of students performing at proficient or above levels across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, as 23% of students currently achieve proficiency standards. The school draws from an educated and economically stable community, where 56% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $123,031.

The neighborhood's 8.9% poverty rate reflects the relative prosperity of the area, with median home values around $546,600. Located on University Boulevard West in Silver Spring's large suburban setting, Northwood High benefits from being situated in one of Montgomery County's well-established residential communities, offering students access to the resources and stability of an affluent suburban environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.9%
Reading vs. State Avg+1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness8.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation31.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,101

Northwood High — Students at Northwood High score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.7%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 7 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
23%
ELA
63%
2025
ELA
52.9%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Northwood High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in MD
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
129 teachers

Location

919 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwood High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. YESHIVA OF GREATER WASHINGTON BOYS DIVISION (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Spring Valley), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Montgomery Blair High (rated 5.5/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Silver Spring, see our Silver Spring schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Forest Knolls Elementary Silver Spring 0.2 mi 8.5
PATHWAYS SCHOOL--EDGEWOOD Silver Spring 0.3 mi
PATHWAYS HORIZONS Silverspring 0.2 mi
YESHIVA OF GREATER WASHINGTON BOYS DIVISION Spring Valley 0.6 mi 6.7
Kemp Mill Elementary Silver Spring 0.7 mi 8.0
LEO BERNSTEIN JEWISH ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS Silver Spring 0.8 mi 4.9
Sligo Middle Silver Spring 0.8 mi 5.2
THE GAN MONTESSORI Silver Spring 0.8 mi
Glen Haven Elementary Silver Spring 0.7 mi 6.6
ST ANDREW APOSTLE SCHOOL Silver Spring 0.9 mi 7.7
Odessa Shannon Middle Silver Spring 1.1 mi 5.1
Arcola Elementary Silver Spring 1.1 mi 6.4
THE SIENA SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.3 mi 8.4
KEHILLAT ASHREINU MONTESSORI SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.1 mi
Montgomery Blair High Silver Spring 1.4 mi 5.5
ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.4 mi 6.7
Burnt Mills Elementary Silver Spring 1.2 mi 6.0
Pine Crest Elementary Silver Spring 1.4 mi 6.0
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.4 mi 7.7
ACORN HILL WALDORF KINDERGARTEN & NURSERY Silver Spring 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,133

Median Home Value

$571,300

Median Rent

$1,785/mo

Population

37,338

College Educated

56.4%

Homeownership

69.1%

Avg Commute

33.4 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

39.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northwood High has a median household income of $127,133. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $571,300, with a median rent of $1,785/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% 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
Col. Zadok Magruder High Rockville, MD 6.7
Eastern Technical High School Baltimore, MD 6.7
Western High Baltimore, MD 6.8
Kenwood High Baltimore, MD 6.6
Watkins Mill High Gaithersburg, MD 6.6
Albert Einstein High Kensington, MD 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwood High

What grades does Northwood High serve?

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

How many students attend Northwood High?

Northwood High has an enrollment of approximately 1,745 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood High?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwood High is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwood High rank in MD?

Northwood High is ranked #595 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Northwood High's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwood High has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Northwood High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwood High has 25.0% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northwood High a charter school?

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

Is Northwood High a Title I school?

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

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

60.1% of students at Northwood 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
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,745
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
129
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Montgomery County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Montgomery County Public Schools
District Enrollment
160,223
Schools in District
211
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,456
District Rank
#101 of 206

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 methodology

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