Northwestern High School is a public comprehensive and magnet high school in Hyattsville, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. It is part of the Prince George's County Public Schools system. Northwestern High School is located on Adelphi Road, less than a mile away from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Serving 2,381 students in grades 9-12, Northwestern High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Maryland for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 6% (which is lower than the Maryland state average of 25%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 30% (which is lower than the Maryland state average of 45%).
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the Maryland state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Maryland state average of 68% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,381 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 71% (Btm 50% in MD)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 6% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 30% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
School Overview
Northwestern High School's student population of 2,381 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 143 teachers has declined by 5% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
2,381 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
143 teachers
Year Founded
1951
Colors
White, Navy Blue
School Rankings
Northwestern High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,347 schools in Maryland (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Northwestern High School is 0.44, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.74. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1081 out of 1347 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
6%
25%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
36%
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
7%
Hispanic
72%
23%
Black
22%
33%
White
4%
32%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
1%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
71%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
69%
44%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
10%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Wildcats
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Northwestern High School's ranking?
Northwestern High School is ranked #1081 out of 1,347 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Maryland.
What schools are Northwestern High School often compared to?
Northwestern High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like College Park Academy by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
6% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 25% MD state average), while 30% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% MD state average).
What is the graduation rate of Northwestern High School?
The graduation rate of Northwestern High School is 71%, which is lower than the Maryland state average of 86%.
How many students attend Northwestern High School?
2,381 students attend Northwestern High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
72% of Northwestern High School students are Hispanic, 22% of students are Black, 4% of students are White, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Northwestern High School?
Northwestern High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 14:1.
What grades does Northwestern High School offer ?
Northwestern High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Northwestern High School part of?
Northwestern High School is part of Prince George's County School District.
School Reviews
4 8/6/2019
My child has just completed his 9th grade year at this school and I must say I am pleased with how the school year went. He finished with a 3.8 GPA. Some of the teachers here seem to be very involved and not much trouble on their part when you try to reach out to them, although i struggled to talk to them in the beginning. The programs here are what drew me to this school and I was not let down. My child got the opportunity to participate in two programs here which he benefited from in his academics. I would say, so far this is a good school for your child.
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