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Needs Improvement

#3070 of 3,192 schools in MI

Northwestern Middle School

Middle School · Battle Creek Public Schools

176 LIMIT ST, Battle Creek, MI 49037

Enrollment

209

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

3.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#3,070 of 3,192

In Battle Creek

#29 of 33

public schools

In district

#9 of 12

Battle Creek Public Schools

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Northwestern Middle School

3.2/10

Middle School in Battle Creek · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Battle Creek Academy

7.3/10

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

Dudley School

2.9/10

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

About Northwestern Middle School

Northwestern Middle School is a public middle school in Battle Creek, MI, part of Battle Creek Public Schools. Northwestern Middle School serves approximately 209 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwestern Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #3,070 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Northwestern Middle School show 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.0
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

93% of students at Northwestern Middle School 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4.1% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-24.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.7 pts
Overall Proficiency9% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,231
Chronic Absenteeism92.8%

Northwestern Middle School — Students at Northwestern Middle School score 9% 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%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 23.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
45.4% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
53%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
13%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
11%
ELA
44%
2013
Math
9%
ELA
39%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2015
Math
4%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
4%
ELA
11%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
7%
2018
Math
3%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
3%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
4.1%
ELA
14.6%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Northwestern Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.2/10
4th percentile in MI
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
92.8%

Location

176 LIMIT ST, Battle Creek, MI 49037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwestern Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST JOSEPH MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek MS (rated 6.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Battle Creek, see our Battle Creek schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
BATTLE CREEK ACADEMY Battle Creek 0.2 mi 7.3
Dudley School Battle Creek 0.3 mi 2.9
Ann J Kellogg School Battle Creek 1.0 mi 3.9
Battle Creek Montessori Academy Springfield 1.3 mi 7.0
Battle Creek Area Learning Center Springfield 1.4 mi 6.1
Battle Creek MathSci Center Battle Creek 1.4 mi
Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center Battle Creek 1.5 mi 7.3
WK Kellogg Preparatory High School Battle Creek 1.6 mi 3.9
West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek HS Battle Creek 1.7 mi 5.0
West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek MS Battle Creek 1.7 mi 6.5
Battle Creek Central High School Battle Creek 1.6 mi 4.8
Endeavor Charter Academy Battle Creek 1.7 mi 3.8
Fremont International Academy Battle Creek 1.7 mi 8.1
ST PHILIP CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Battle Creek 1.9 mi 7.6
Lakeview Alternative High School Battle Creek 2.3 mi 3.8
BATTLE CREEK AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL ST JOSEPH ELEMEN Battle Creek 2.2 mi 7.0
ST JOSEPH MIDDLE SCHOOL Battle Creek 2.3 mi 7.7
CALHOUN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Battle Creek 2.4 mi 8.1
Arbor Academy Battle Creek 2.5 mi 2.7
Lamora Park School Battle Creek 2.0 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,598

Median Home Value

$90,600

Median Rent

$843/mo

Population

19,924

College Educated

12.2%

Homeownership

59.8%

Avg Commute

18.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.9%

Median Age

37.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Mount Clemens Middle School Mount Clemens, MI 3.2
South Lake Middle School Saint Clair Shores, MI 3.4
White Cloud Junior High School White Cloud, MI 3.4
Hamady Middle School Flint, MI 3.7
Hudson Middle School Hudson, MI 2.7
KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Kalamazoo, MI 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwestern Middle School

What grades does Northwestern Middle School serve?

Northwestern Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Northwestern Middle School?

Northwestern Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 209 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Middle School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwestern Middle School rank in MI?

Northwestern Middle School ranks #3,070 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Northwestern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwestern Middle School has 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Northwestern Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Northwestern Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

88.0% of students at Northwestern Middle 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Calhoun County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
92.8%

District

Battle Creek Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,693
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,231
District Rank
#9 of 12

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