Average
#2101 of 3,190 schools in MI
Northwest High School
High School · Northwest Community Schools
4200 VAN HORN RD, Jackson, MI 49201
Enrollment
954
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
954
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jackson
#19 of 27
public schools
Michigan high schools
#482 of 812
In district
#3 of 5
Northwest Community Schools
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwest High School
Northwest High School serves 954 students in grades 9-12 in Jackson, Michigan, operating as a regular public school with 48 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2542 out of 3204 high schools statewide, placing it in the 21st percentile among Michigan schools, indicating significant room for academic growth and development. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $68,572 and the median home value is $186,700.
About 22% of residents in the area hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 11.3%. With nearly 50,000 residents in the surrounding ZIP code, the school serves a substantial local population. As a comprehensive high school, Northwest High School provides education for teenagers during their crucial final four years of secondary education.
The school's size allows for a diverse range of course offerings while maintaining relatively manageable class sizes for a public institution. Northwest High School is situated in a rural area near the town of Jackson, offering students an educational experience in a more spacious, less densely populated environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwest High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Northwest High School — Students at Northwest High School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from MI 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: 9.4/10.
How Northwest High School Compares
See how Northwest High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 57% (2021).
Location
4200 VAN HORN RD, Jackson, MI 49201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jackson Pathways (rated 7.7/10, 6.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jackson High School (rated 5.9/10, 6.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Northwest Connect (rated 5.7/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Jackson, see our Jackson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Kidder Middle School Jackson | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Northwest Connect Jackson | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| NORTH STAR MONTESSORI LLC Jackson | 2.4 mi | — |
| Da Vinci Schools 612 Jackson | 3.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Northwest Elementary School Jackson | 3.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Northwest Early Elementary School Jackson | 3.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Lyle A Torrant Center Jackson | 4.1 mi | 9.0 |
| South Central Michigan Virtual Jackson | 4.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Hunt Elementary School Jackson | 4.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Da Vinci Schools K5 Jackson | 4.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Woodville Community Center Jackson | 5.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Parnall Correctional Facility Jackson | 4.8 mi | — |
| JPS Montessori Center Jackson | 5.6 mi | 5.8 |
| DBA FELICIAN CHILDRENS CENTER Jackson | 5.6 mi | — |
| Cotton Correctional Facility Jackson | 4.9 mi | — |
| JACKSON CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 6.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Jackson Pathways Jackson | 6.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Jackson High School Jackson | 6.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Paragon Charter Academy Jackson | 6.6 mi | 8.2 |
| ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 6.0 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,714
Median Home Value
$202,900
Median Rent
$945/mo
Population
49,114
College Educated
23.3%
Homeownership
73.9%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest High School has a median household income of $71,714. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,900, with a median rent of $945/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| StandishSterling Central JrSr High School Standish, MI | 5.7 |
| Waterford Mott High School Waterford, MI | 5.7 |
| Zeeland West High School Zeeland, MI | 5.7 |
| Bay City Central High School Bay City, MI | 5.8 |
| Ionia High School Ionia, MI | 5.8 |
| Tecumseh High School Tecumseh, MI | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest High School
What grades does Northwest High School serve?
Northwest High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Northwest High School?
Northwest High School has an enrollment of approximately 954 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest High School is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest High School rank in MI?
Northwest High School is ranked #2101 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Northwest High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest High School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Northwest High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest High School has 27.0% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwest High School a charter school?
No, Northwest High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest High School a Title I school?
No, Northwest High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest High School?
44.1% of students at Northwest High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Jackson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 954
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (517) 817-4702
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwest Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,467
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,624
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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