Needs Improvement
#2829 of 2,842 schools in PA
Northwest MS
Middle School · Reading SD
1000 N Front St, Reading, PA 19601
Enrollment
827
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
2.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
827
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
2.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Reading
#26 of 31
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#512 of 514
In district
#15 of 19
Reading SD
About Northwest MS
Northwest MS serves grades 5 through 8 in Reading, Pennsylvania, enrolling 827 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. As a public middle school in this small city, it provides a foundational educational experience during a critical developmental period. The school is currently focused on significant academic growth.
Reading and math proficiency rates indicate substantial room for improvement, with 20% of students performing at or above proficiency in ELA and 5% in math across grade levels. This presents an opportunity for the school community to work toward strengthening core academic skills and student achievement in these essential areas. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Northwest MS has the capacity to support its student population.
The school's location on North Front Street places it in Reading's small city setting, where it serves as a resource for families in the area seeking middle grades education.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwest MS — Students at Northwest MS score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from PA 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: 3.7/10.
How Northwest MS Compares
See how Northwest MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 17% (2021).
Location
1000 N Front St, Reading, PA 19601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Southwest MS (rated 5.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central MS (rated 4.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Reading El Ctr (rated 4.5/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby West Reading), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Reading, see our Reading schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MARGARET SCHOOL Reading | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Riverside El Sch Reading | 0.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Northwest El Sch Reading | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Lauers Park El Sch Reading | 0.8 mi | 2.1 |
| Glenside El Sch Reading | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Tenth & Green El Sch Reading | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Southwest MS Reading | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| West Reading El Ctr West Reading | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| NEW STORY SCHOOL Wyomissing | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Twelfth & Marion El Sch Reading | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Reading | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Tyson-Schoener El Sch Reading | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Tenth & Penn El Sch Reading | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Northeast MS Reading | 1.2 mi | 3.3 |
| SACRED HEART GRADE SCHOOL West Reading | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Reading SHS Reading | 1.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Thirteenth & Union El Sch Reading | 1.4 mi | 2.1 |
| Southern MS Reading | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Thirteenth & Green El Sch Reading | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Central MS Reading | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,133
Median Home Value
$110,700
Median Rent
$986/mo
Population
36,493
College Educated
11.5%
Homeownership
37.3%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
29.8%
Median Age
32
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest MS has a median household income of $41,133. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $110,700, with a median rent of $986/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Muhlenberg Jr HS Reading, PA | 2.7 |
| Northeast MS Reading, PA | 3.3 |
| Northeastern MS Mount Wolf, PA | 3.3 |
| West Scranton Intrmd Sch Scranton, PA | 3.4 |
| C E Cole Intermediate Sch Reading, PA | 3.5 |
| Waynesboro Area MS Waynesboro, PA | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest MS
What grades does Northwest MS serve?
Northwest MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Northwest MS?
Northwest MS has an enrollment of approximately 827 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest MS is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest MS rank in PA?
Northwest MS is ranked #2829 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Northwest MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest MS has a composite rating of 2.8 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 MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest MS has 4.8% math proficiency and 20.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwest MS a charter school?
No, Northwest MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest MS a Title I school?
No, Northwest MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest MS?
100.0% of students at Northwest MS 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
- City Safety
- High (1,784/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Reading). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 827
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Berks County
- Phone
- (610) 371-5772
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Reading SD- District Enrollment
- 16,657
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,659
- District Rank
- #15 of 19
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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