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Very Good

#606 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 29% in state

Northwestern Middle

Middle School · Maple School District

PO Box 46, Poplar, WI 54864

Enrollment

282

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

7.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#606 of 2,105

In Poplar

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Maple School District

Equity

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Northwestern Middle

7.6/10

Middle School in Poplar · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northwestern Elementary

7.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Northwestern High

4.6/10

1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Northwestern Middle

Northwestern Middle is a public middle school in Poplar, WI, part of Maple School District. Northwestern Middle serves approximately 282 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwestern Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #606 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Northwestern Middle show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above WI schools
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Northwestern Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.9% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.9% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg+20.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+17.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,408
Chronic Absenteeism13.5%

Northwestern Middle — Students at Northwestern Middle score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 51.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
48%
ELA
35%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
36%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
59%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
60%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
63%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
61%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
61%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
51.7%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
72.9%
ELA
59.9%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Northwestern Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
71th percentile in WI
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.5%

Location

PO Box 46, Poplar, WI 54864

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwestern Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LESTER PARK ELEMENTARY (rated 9.2/10, 21.7 miles away, in nearby Duluth), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagles' Wings Public Montessori Charter (rated 9.1/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Solon Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CATHEDRAL SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 18.8 miles away, in nearby Superior), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Poplar, see our Poplar schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Northwestern Elementary Poplar 0.3 mi 7.3
Northwestern High Maple 1.6 mi 4.6
Solon Springs School Solon Springs 16.9 mi 4.4
Eagles' Wings Virtual Charter School Solon Springs 16.9 mi
Eagles' Wings Public Montessori Charter Solon Springs 16.9 mi 9.1
Eagles Academy Solon Springs 16.9 mi
Lake Superior Elementary Superior 13.1 mi 5.3
TWIN PORTS BAPTIST SCHOOL Superior 13.6 mi
Four Corners Elementary Superior 15.6 mi 5.9
Great Lakes Elementary Superior 17.2 mi 7.0
Iron River Elementary Iron River 16.3 mi 8.6
Superior High Superior 17.9 mi 4.7
Bryant Elementary Superior 17.4 mi 7.8
Superior Middle Superior 18.1 mi 5.7
Northern Lights Elementary Superior 18.4 mi 6.7
LESTER PARK ELEMENTARY Duluth 21.7 mi 9.2
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Superior 18.8 mi 9.0
Superior Community Preschool Superior 18.6 mi 3.8
East High School Duluth 21.6 mi 6.5
Rockridge Academy Duluth 22.3 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54864 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,781

Median Home Value

$221,900

Median Rent

$993/mo

Population

1,534

College Educated

27.3%

Homeownership

96.4%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

43.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
United Community Center Acosta Middle School Milwaukee, WI 7.6
Columbus Middle Columbus, WI 7.5
Riverview Middle Barron, WI 7.5
Savanna Oaks Middle Fitchburg, WI 7.5
Shorewood Intermediate Shorewood, WI 7.5
Cameron Middle Cameron, WI 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwestern Middle

What grades does Northwestern Middle serve?

Northwestern Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Northwestern Middle?

Northwestern Middle has an enrollment of approximately 282 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Middle is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwestern Middle rank in WI?

Northwestern Middle ranks #606 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Northwestern Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Northwestern Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwestern Middle has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Northwestern Middle a charter school?

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

Is Northwestern Middle a Title I school?

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

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

39.7% of students at Northwestern Middle 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Douglas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.5%

District

Maple School District
District Enrollment
1,278
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,408
District Rank
#2 of 4

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