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Very Good

#336 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 29% in state

Northwestern High

High School · York 03

2503 West Main Street, Rock Hill, SC 29732

Enrollment

1,764

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rock Hill

#7 of 27

public schools

South Carolina high schools

#97 of 216

In district

#6 of 24

York 03

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Northwestern High

Northwestern High serves 1,764 students in grades 9-12 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 with 106 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #362 out of 1,192 high schools statewide, placing it in the 70th percentile with a solid MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. Academically, Northwestern High demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, where 81% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents more of a challenge, with 47% of students reaching proficiency, indicating an area where the school is focusing on student development and growth. The school's overall academic score of 8.1 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. Located at 2503 West Main Street, Northwestern High sits in a stable community where the median household income reaches $77,601 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 8.0% and features a median home value of $268,800, reflecting the area's economic stability. Northwestern High operates within Rock Hill's small city environment in York County, serving a diverse student population in a community that values education and family stability.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81%
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.7%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,531

Northwestern High — Students at Northwestern High score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 78.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
63%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
84%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
81%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Northwestern High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in SC
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
7.7% participation·94 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2503 West Main Street, Rock Hill, SC 29732

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwestern High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. South Pointe High (rated 8.7/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEW HOPE CAROLINAS (rated 7.7/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rock Hill, see our Rock Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Rawlinson Road Middle Rock Hill 0.2 mi 5.5
York Road Elementary Rock Hill 0.6 mi 6.4
Old Pointe Elementary Rock Hill 1.7 mi 6.2
York Preparatory Academy Rock Hill 1.9 mi 7.2
NEW HOPE CAROLINAS Rock Hill 2.5 mi 7.7
Sunset Park Center for Accelerated Studies Rock Hill 2.9 mi 4.0
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rock Hill 3.1 mi 7.8
MACFEAT EARLY CHILDHOOD LAB SCHOOL Rock Hill 3.2 mi
Ebinport Elementary Rock Hill 3.3 mi 7.8
Ebenezer Avenue Elementary: Traditional Montesorri Inquiry Rock Hill 3.4 mi 7.0
Richmond Drive Elementary Rock Hill 3.4 mi 4.4
Dutchman Creek Middle Rock Hill 4.2 mi 4.9
Riverwalk Academy Rock Hill 4.2 mi 7.4
FREEDOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rock Hill 3.7 mi 6.7
South Pointe High Rock Hill 4.4 mi 8.7
Mount Gallant Elementary Rock Hill 4.5 mi 7.8
The Palmetto School Rock Hill 3.9 mi 5.3
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL-HIGH Rock Hill 4.0 mi 8.2
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL-MIDDLE Rock Hill 4.0 mi 7.8
Central Child Development Center Rock Hill 4.0 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29732 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,936

Median Home Value

$301,300

Median Rent

$1,293/mo

Population

57,551

College Educated

39.9%

Homeownership

73%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northwestern High has a median household income of $79,936. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $301,300, with a median rent of $1,293/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
D. W. Daniel High Central, SC 7.1
St. James High Murrells Inlet, SC 7.1
Colleton County High Walterboro, SC 7.4
Fort Dorchester High North Charleston, SC 7.0
Fort Mill High Fort Mill, SC 7.4
RB Stall High North Charleston, SC 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwestern High

What grades does Northwestern High serve?

Northwestern High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Northwestern High?

Northwestern High has an enrollment of approximately 1,764 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern High?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern High is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwestern High rank in SC?

Northwestern High is ranked #336 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Northwestern High's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern High has a composite rating of 7.2 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern High has 48.3% math proficiency and 78.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northwestern High a charter school?

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

Is Northwestern High a Title I school?

No, Northwestern High is not currently a Title I school.

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

52.0% of students at Northwestern High 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
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,794/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rock Hill). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,764
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
106
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
York County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

York 03
District Enrollment
16,316
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,182
District Rank
#6 of 24

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 methodology

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