Average
#928 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 44% in state
Northwestern Middle
Middle School · Maple School District
PO Box 46, Poplar, WI 54864
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Poplar
#1 of 2
public schools
Wisconsin middle schools
#254 of 387
In district
#2 of 4
Maple School District
Equity
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Northwestern Middle
Northwestern Middle is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Poplar, Wisconsin. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 282 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, Northwestern Middle provides individualized attention to help each student succeed academically.
The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 6.0 out of 10, placing it at the 60th percentile among Wisconsin schools and ranking it #840 out of 2112 middle schools in the state. Academically, Northwestern Middle scores a 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout’s scale. In ELA/Reading, 53% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 65% of students reach proficiency levels.
Northwestern Middle is situated in the heart of Poplar's rural setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere for its middle schoolers. The town itself provides a quiet and supportive environment where students can focus on their studies and extracurricular activities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwestern Middle 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 Middle — Students at Northwestern Middle score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.9/10.
How Northwestern Middle Compares
See how Northwestern Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 47% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 38% (2021).
Location
PO Box 46, Poplar, WI 54864
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwestern Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CATHEDRAL SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 18.8 miles away, in nearby Superior), which scores notably higher. Another option is LESTER PARK ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 21.7 miles away, in nearby Duluth), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eagles' Wings Public Montessori Charter (rated 8.3/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Solon Springs), 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 | 6.5 |
| Northwestern High Maple | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Solon Springs School Solon Springs | 16.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Eagles' Wings Virtual Charter School Solon Springs | 16.9 mi | — |
| Eagles' Wings Public Montessori Charter Solon Springs | 16.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Eagles Academy Solon Springs | 16.9 mi | — |
| Lake Superior Elementary Superior | 13.1 mi | 3.5 |
| TWIN PORTS BAPTIST SCHOOL Superior | 13.6 mi | — |
| Four Corners Elementary Superior | 15.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Great Lakes Elementary Superior | 17.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Iron River Elementary Iron River | 16.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Superior High Superior | 17.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Bryant Elementary Superior | 17.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Superior Middle Superior | 18.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Northern Lights Elementary Superior | 18.4 mi | 7.3 |
| LESTER PARK ELEMENTARY Duluth | 21.7 mi | 8.6 |
| CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Superior | 18.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Superior Community Preschool Superior | 18.6 mi | 5.2 |
| East High School Duluth | 21.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Rockridge Academy Duluth | 22.3 mi | 7.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwestern Middle has a median household income of $80,781. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,900, with a median rent of $993/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Chilton Middle Chilton, WI | 6.7 |
| Ellsworth Middle Ellsworth, WI | 6.8 |
| J C McKenna Middle Evansville, WI | 6.8 |
| Kewaunee Middle Kewaunee, WI | 6.8 |
| New Holstein Middle New Holstein, WI | 6.8 |
| Woodworth Middle Fond Du Lac, WI | 6.8 |
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 is ranked #928 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Northwestern Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern Middle has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern Middle has 65.3% math proficiency and 52.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (360/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (715) 364-2218
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Maple School District- District Enrollment
- 1,278
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,408
- District Rank
- #2 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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