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Average

#1250 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 39% in state

Northwestern High School

High School · Detroit Public Schools Community District

2200 W GRAND BLVD, Detroit, MI 48208

Enrollment

291

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,250 of 3,192

In Detroit

#57 of 178

public schools

In district

#48 of 99

Detroit Public Schools Community District

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Northwestern High School

6.7/10

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

Thirkell Elementarymiddle School

6.3/10

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

Sampsonwebber Leadership Academy

6.2/10

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

About Northwestern High School

Northwestern High School is a public high school in Detroit, MI, part of Detroit Public Schools Community District. Northwestern High School serves approximately 291 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwestern High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,250 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Northwestern High School show 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2021) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2021).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • MI avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Northwestern High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-0.45 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2021
TrendStable
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness5.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate62%
AP Participation30.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,138

Northwestern High School — Students at Northwestern High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 10.6% (multi-year average, 2016-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 13.8% (multi-year average, 2016-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2016
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Northwestern High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
61th percentile in MI
Academic
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.5
Sports
12
5 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
30.2% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
5 boys'·7 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2200 W GRAND BLVD, Detroit, MI 48208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwestern High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Central High School (rated 6.1/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is University Preparatory Academy PSAD High School (rated 6.1/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Detroit Lions Academy (rated 5.9/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Thirkell ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 0.7 mi 6.3
SampsonWebber Leadership Academy Detroit 0.8 mi 6.2
George Crockett Academy Detroit 1.0 mi 3.8
Detroit Lions Academy Detroit 1.2 mi 5.9
New Paradigm College Prep Detroit 1.6 mi 3.7
Hope of Detroit Academy MiddleHigh Detroit 1.7 mi 6.2
University Preparatory Academy PSAD Elementary Detroit 1.4 mi 2.9
Central High School Detroit 1.8 mi 6.1
Durfee ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.8 mi 6.0
Hope of Detroit Academy Elementary Detroit 1.8 mi 4.1
Covenant High School Central Detroit 1.8 mi 5.0
University Preparatory Academy PSAD High School Detroit 1.5 mi 6.1
University Preparatory Art Design MiddleHigh Detroit 1.6 mi 4.4
Voyageur College Prep Detroit 1.9 mi 5.7
Keidan Special Education Center Detroit 1.7 mi 8.7
Edmonson Montessori Detroit 1.6 mi 7.4
University Preparatory Art Design Elementary Detroit 2.0 mi 6.3
University Preparatory Academy PSAD Elementary Detroit 1.6 mi 2.9
Voyageur Academy Detroit 2.0 mi 2.6
Burton International Academy Detroit 1.8 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$29,742

Median Home Value

$186,700

Median Rent

$842/mo

Population

7,904

College Educated

26.6%

Homeownership

34.8%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

34.3%

Median Age

37.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bad Axe High School Bad Axe, MI 6.7
Concord High School Concord, MI 6.7
Deckerville Community High School Deckerville, MI 6.7
Ishpeming High School Ishpeming, MI 6.7
Laingsburg High School Laingsburg, MI 6.7
Mason County Central HS Scottville, MI 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwestern High School

What grades does Northwestern High School serve?

Northwestern High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Northwestern High School?

Northwestern High School has an enrollment of approximately 291 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern High School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwestern High School rank in MI?

Northwestern High School ranks #1,250 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Northwestern High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern High School 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 Northwestern High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwestern High School has 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2021) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2021).

Is Northwestern High School a charter school?

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

Is Northwestern High School a Title I school?

No, Northwestern High School is not currently a Title I school.

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

88.3% of students at Northwestern 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
55 Good Transit
Bike Score
80 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Wayne County
4-Year Graduation
62.0%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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