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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.4%
Math vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.4 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-30.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,538

Northwest Middle School — Students at Northwest Middle School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 10.8%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 12.5%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
11%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
4%
ELA
8%
2025
Math
17.5%
ELA
14.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.5/10
33th percentile in TN
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Knox County
District Enrollment
60,604
Schools in District
94
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,187
District Rank
#65 of 88

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

Related reading

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