Average
#1204 of 1,785 schools in TN
Northwest Middle School
Middle School · Knox County
5301 Pleasant Ridge RD, Knoxville, TN 37912
Enrollment
808
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
808
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Knoxville
#58 of 82
public schools
Tennessee middle schools
#189 of 338
In district
#65 of 88
Knox County
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Northwest Middle School
Northwest Middle School serves 808 students in grades 6-8 in Knoxville, Tennessee, offering a solid educational foundation with a manageable student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1. The school's 64 full-time equivalent teachers work within Knox County's public school system, providing instruction to middle schoolers in this mid-size city setting. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10, Northwest Middle School ranks #297 out of 1,796 Tennessee schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to middle-grade education during these critical developmental years when students transition from elementary to high school academics. The school is located on Pleasant Ridge Road in the 37912 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $42,080 and median home value reaches $162,500. This diverse community of over 22,000 residents includes families from various economic backgrounds, with about one in five adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
The neighborhood's 21.8% poverty rate indicates that Northwest Middle School serves students from a range of socioeconomic circumstances. Northwest Middle School provides middle school education in a Knoxville community that balances urban amenities with the accessibility of a mid-size Tennessee city.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Northwest 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
Northwest Middle School — Students at Northwest Middle School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from TN 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: 6.4/10.
How Northwest Middle School Compares
See how Northwest Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 11% (2019) to 17.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 15% (2019) to 14.4% (2025).
Location
5301 Pleasant Ridge RD, Knoxville, TN 37912
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pleasant Ridge Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is West High School (rated 7.8/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bearden Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Knoxville, see our Knoxville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Knoxville | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Knoxville | 0.5 mi | 9.0 |
| Norwood Elementary Knoxville | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| RIVERS EDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Knoxville | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| West Haven Elementary Knoxville | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Ridgedale Alternative School Knoxville | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Pond Gap Elementary Knoxville | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| TEMPLE BAPTIST ACADEMY Powell | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| WEST END ACADEMY Knoxville | 2.6 mi | — |
| Lonsdale Elementary Knoxville | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| West View Elementary Knoxville | 2.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Inskip Elementary Knoxville | 2.8 mi | 4.9 |
| West High School Knoxville | 3.1 mi | 7.8 |
| KNOXVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Knoxville | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Powell High School Powell | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| PRIDE & JOY CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Knoxville | 3.5 mi | — |
| Knox Adaptive Education Center Knoxville | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Sterchi Elementary Knoxville | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Bearden Elementary Knoxville | 3.6 mi | 7.4 |
| KNOXVILLE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Knoxville | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37912 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,754
Median Home Value
$185,600
Median Rent
$1,050/mo
Population
22,009
College Educated
22.6%
Homeownership
52.5%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
20.9%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest Middle School has a median household income of $44,754. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $185,600, with a median rent of $1,050/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairview Middle School Fairview, TN | 5.5 |
| Northview Junior Academy Kodak, TN | 5.5 |
| South Gibson County Middle School Medina, TN | 5.5 |
| Spring Station Middle School Spring Hill, TN | 5.5 |
| Winfree Bryant Middle School Lebanon, TN | 5.5 |
| Cheatham Middle School Ashland City, TN | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest Middle School
What grades does Northwest Middle School serve?
Northwest Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Northwest Middle School?
Northwest Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 808 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Middle School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest Middle School rank in TN?
Northwest Middle School is ranked #1204 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Northwest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Middle School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Northwest Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest Middle School has 10.8% math proficiency and 12.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwest Middle School a charter school?
No, Northwest Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest Middle School a Title I school?
No, Northwest Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,466/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Knoxville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 808
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 64
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Knox County
- Phone
- (865) 594-1345
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Knox County- District Enrollment
- 60,604
- Schools in District
- 94
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,187
- District Rank
- #65 of 88
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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