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Average

#594 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#594 of 1,363

In Silver Spring

#28 of 53

public schools

In district

#136 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Northwood High

6.7/10

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

Forest Knolls Elementary

8.7/10

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

Pathways School--edgewood

Nearby

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

About Northwood High

Northwood High is a public high school in Silver Spring, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Northwood High serves approximately 1,745 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwood High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #594 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Northwood High show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Northwood 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 Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.9% (2025 MCAP)
Reading vs. State Avg+1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College Readiness6.9Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84%
AP Participation31.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism48.1%

Northwood High — Students at Northwood High score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

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 57.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 27 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
75%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
76%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
70%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
58%
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: 7.1/10.

How Northwood High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in MD
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3.1
Sports
16
8 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
129 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
31.5% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics16sports offered
8 boys'·8 girls'·27 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

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. Montgomery Blair High (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, YESHIVA OF GREATER WASHINGTON BOYS DIVISION (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Spring Valley), with a very similar rating. 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 8.7
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 5.4
LEO BERNSTEIN JEWISH ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS Silver Spring 0.8 mi 4.9
Sligo Middle Silver Spring 0.8 mi 7.4
THE GAN MONTESSORI Silver Spring 0.8 mi
Glen Haven Elementary Silver Spring 0.7 mi 6.3
ST ANDREW APOSTLE SCHOOL Silver Spring 0.9 mi 7.7
Odessa Shannon Middle Silver Spring 1.1 mi 5.3
Arcola Elementary Silver Spring 1.1 mi 4.8
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 6.8
ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.4 mi 6.7
Burnt Mills Elementary Silver Spring 1.2 mi 6.4
Pine Crest Elementary Silver Spring 1.4 mi 8.3
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Annapolis High Annapolis, MD 6.7
Damascus High Damascus, MD 6.7
Linganore High Frederick, MD 6.7
Queen Anne's County High School Centreville, MD 6.7
Seneca Valley High Germantown, MD 6.7
Clarksburg High Clarksburg, MD 6.8

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 ranks #594 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Northwood High's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwood High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Northwood High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwood High has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.1%
4-Year Graduation
84.0%

District

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

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