Below Average
#2381 of 2,842 schools in PA
Northwestern MS
Middle School · Northwestern SD
150 Harthan Way, Albion, PA 16401
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Albion
#3 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#437 of 514
In district
#4 of 4
Northwestern SD
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Northwestern MS
Northwestern MS is a middle school located in Albion, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 278 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1. There are 23 full-time equivalent teachers at the school.
Northwestern MS is situated in a rural setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere. Academically, Northwestern MS has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks 2442nd out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it at the 14th percentile for academic performance across the state. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 49% and its Math proficiency rate is 27%.
While these scores indicate areas where improvement is needed, Northwestern MS remains dedicated to supporting student development and growth. Northwestern MS sits in a rural area that provides a supportive community for students as they navigate the middle school years.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwestern MS 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
View breakdown
Northwestern MS — Students at Northwestern MS score 34% proficient, which is above 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 PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 2.5/10.
How Northwestern MS Compares
See how Northwestern MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 24.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 44.6% (2024).
Location
150 Harthan Way, Albion, PA 16401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwestern MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Conneaut Valley MS (rated 8.3/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Conneautville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fairview MS (rated 7.1/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Fairview), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rice Avenue MS (rated 6.5/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Girard), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Albion, see our Albion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern SHS Albion | 0.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Northwestern El Sch Albion | 0.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Springfield El Sch East Springfield | 5.8 mi | 5.9 |
| WESTVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (AMISH) Conneautville | 7.0 mi | — |
| Conneaut Valley El Sch Conneautville | 7.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Conneaut Valley MS Conneautville | 7.8 mi | 8.3 |
| PALMER SCHOOL Springboro | 7.4 mi | — |
| Girard HS Girard | 8.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Elk Valley El Sch Lake City | 8.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Rice Avenue MS Girard | 8.4 mi | 6.5 |
| RUNDELL CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conneautville | 9.6 mi | — |
| Fairview HS Fairview | 10.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Fairview MS Fairview | 10.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Fairview El Sch Fairview | 10.9 mi | 7.2 |
| FISH CREEK SCHOOL Linesville | 13.5 mi | — |
| Edinboro El Sch Edinboro | 10.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Conneaut Middle School Conneaut | 10.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Gateway Elementary School Conneaut | 10.8 mi | 3.9 |
| TOWNLINE SCHOOL Pierpont | 11.7 mi | — |
| Conneaut High School Conneaut | 11.4 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,976
Median Home Value
$152,100
Median Rent
$636/mo
Population
3,842
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
80.8%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
48
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwestern MS has a median household income of $67,976. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,100, with a median rent of $636/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Everett Area MS Everett, PA | 4.8 |
| Sharpsville Area MS Sharpsville, PA | 4.8 |
| Upper Dauphin Area MS Lykens, PA | 4.8 |
| Annville-Cleona MS Annville, PA | 4.7 |
| Arts Academy CS Allentown, PA | 5.0 |
| Columbia MS Hill Campus Columbia, PA | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwestern MS
What grades does Northwestern MS serve?
Northwestern MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Northwestern MS?
Northwestern MS has an enrollment of approximately 278 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern MS 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 MS rank in PA?
Northwestern MS is ranked #2381 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Northwestern MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern MS has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Northwestern MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern MS has 27.3% math proficiency and 48.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwestern MS a charter school?
No, Northwestern MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwestern MS a Title I school?
No, Northwestern MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwestern MS?
100.0% of students at Northwestern 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 278
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Erie County
- Phone
- (814) 756-9400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwestern SD- District Enrollment
- 1,208
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,905
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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