Average
#1334 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 42% in state
Northwestern Middle School
Middle School · Battle Creek Public Schools
176 LIMIT ST, Battle Creek, MI 49037
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Battle Creek
#10 of 26
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#154 of 497
In district
#8 of 12
Battle Creek Public Schools
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwestern Middle School
Northwestern Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Battle Creek, Michigan. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 209 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. Northwestern Middle School is staffed by 14 full-time equivalent teachers, providing ample support for its diverse group of learners.
The academic performance at Northwestern Middle School indicates room for improvement, as reflected in the MySchoolScout Rating of 4.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2257 out of 3204 schools in Michigan (placing it around the 30th percentile). Students perform particularly well in math, with 4% reaching proficiency or above on average across grades, while only 15% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading. The school is focusing on strategies to enhance academic achievement and support all students.
Northwestern Middle School is situated in a small city setting within Battle Creek, providing a community-focused environment for its middle schoolers.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Northwestern Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwestern Middle School — Students at Northwestern Middle School score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Northwestern Middle School Compares
See how Northwestern Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 3% (2019) to 4.08% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 14.32% (2022).
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 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek MS (rated 5.8/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Battle Creek, see our Battle Creek schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwestern Middle School has a median household income of $42,598. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $90,600, with a median rent of $843/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Coloma Junior High School Coloma, MI | 6.6 |
| Homer Middle School Homer, MI | 6.6 |
| Washtenaw International Middle Academy Ypsilanti, MI | 6.6 |
| Bath Middle School Bath, MI | 6.5 |
| Potterville Middle School Potterville, MI | 6.5 |
| Benzie Central Middle School Benzonia, MI | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #1334 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Northwestern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern Middle School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Northwestern Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern Middle School has 3.7% math proficiency and 14.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,679/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Battle Creek). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (269) 965-9607
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Battle Creek Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,693
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,231
- District Rank
- #8 of 12
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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