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
Enrollment
1,745
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Northwood High — Students at Northwood High score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 4.2/10.
How Northwood High Compares
See how Northwood High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 23% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 52.9% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (240) 740-6950
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #101 of 206
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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