Average
#1556 of 3,440 schools in OH
Top 45% in state
Northwestern Middle School
Middle School · Northwestern Local
7569 N Elyria Rd, West Salem, OH 44287
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Salem
#3 of 3
public schools
Ohio middle schools
#344 of 650
In district
#3 of 3
Northwestern Local
About Northwestern Middle School
Northwestern Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural area of West Salem, Ohio. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, Northwestern Middle School has an enrollment of 289 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.3 out of 10, placing it at the 48th percentile among Ohio schools.
In terms of academic performance, 67% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 57% in Math, indicating areas for continued growth. Northwestern Middle School focuses on fostering a supportive environment where students can develop both academically and socially. The school's rural setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere, which contributes to the overall sense of belonging among students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwestern Middle 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Northwestern Middle School — Students at Northwestern Middle School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from OH state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.3/10.
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 declined from 65% (2019) to 49% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2021).
Location
7569 N Elyria Rd, West Salem, OH 44287
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwestern Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Triway Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Wooster), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Black River Education Center Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Sullivan), with a very similar rating. Additionally, AMISH PRIVATE SCHOOL #2 (rated 2.9/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Homerville), a more accessible option. For more schools in West Salem, see our West Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern High School West Salem | 0.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Northwestern Elementary School West Salem | 0.2 mi | 8.6 |
| WEST SALEM CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS West Salem | 5.7 mi | — |
| COUNTY CURVE SCHOOL Jeromesville | 5.8 mi | — |
| AMISH PRIVATE SCHOOL #2 Homerville | 8.5 mi | 2.9 |
| INDIAN VALLEY Wooster | 9.8 mi | — |
| Hillsdale PK-6 Jeromesville | 9.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Hillsdale 7-12 Jeromesville | 9.6 mi | 7.2 |
| COUNTRY CORNER Wooster | 9.9 mi | — |
| WOOSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wooster | 8.7 mi | 7.0 |
| EASTVIEW AMISH SCHOOL Homerville | 11.6 mi | — |
| Wooster High School Wooster | 9.2 mi | 6.6 |
| AMISH PRIVATE SCHOOL #1 Homerville | 11.6 mi | — |
| Kean Elementary School Wooster | 9.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Parkview Elementary School Wooster | 10.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Black River High School Sullivan | 11.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Black River Education Center Middle School Sullivan | 12.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Black River Education Center Elementary School Sullivan | 12.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Triway Middle School Wooster | 11.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Ashland-W Holmes Career Center Ashland | 10.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 44287 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,146
Median Home Value
$171,300
Median Rent
$788/mo
Population
7,892
College Educated
21.7%
Homeownership
87.3%
Avg Commute
31.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Median Age
42.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwestern Middle School has a median household income of $71,146. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,300, with a median rent of $788/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Buckeye Trail Middle School Lore City, OH | 6.5 |
| Canaan Middle School Plain, OH | 6.5 |
| Greenfield Middle School Greenfield, OH | 6.5 |
| Indian Creek Middle School Grades 7 & 8 Mingo Junction, OH | 6.5 |
| Lima West Middle School Lima, OH | 6.5 |
| North Union Middle School Richwood, OH | 6.5 |
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 289 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Middle School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwestern Middle School rank in OH?
Northwestern Middle School is ranked #1556 out of 3,440 schools in OH.
What is Northwestern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 57.0% math proficiency and 64.5% 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?
40.8% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (361/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 289
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (419) 846-3974
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwestern Local- District Enrollment
- 1,259
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,921
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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