Is Northwestern Middle School a good school?

Yes! Northwestern Middle School is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 21 st of 588 Georgia middle schools.

How many students attend Northwestern Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,118 students attended Northwestern Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Northwestern Middle School?

Students at Northwestern Middle School are 65% White, 12% Asian, 9% Hispanic, 8% African American, 5% Two or more races.

What high school do graduates of Northwestern Middle School attend?

Students who attend Northwestern Middle School usually go on to attend Milton High School

Northwestern Middle School

Summary:

Northwestern Middle School is a highly-regarded public middle school located in Alpharetta, Georgia, serving 1,143 students in grades 6-8. It is part of the Fulton County School District, which is ranked 57th out of 203 districts in Georgia and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Northwestern Middle School has consistently been one of the top-performing middle schools in Georgia, ranking in the top 5% of all middle schools in the state for the past several years. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school ranked 21st out of 588 Georgia middle schools and received a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. This exceptional academic performance is evident across all grade levels and subject areas, with 87% of students proficient or better in Algebra I, compared to 57.4% in Fulton County and 44% statewide. The school's low free/reduced lunch rate of 6.65% suggests it serves a more affluent student population compared to some nearby schools, such as Holcomb Bridge Middle School (58.1%) and Elkins Pointe Middle School (43.99%).

Northwestern Middle School's strong performance is further highlighted by its high per-student spending of $10,362 in the 2018-2019 school year, which is significantly higher than the state average of $9,470. This level of funding may contribute to the school's low student-teacher ratio of 14.4 in the 2022-2023 school year, which could be a factor in its exceptional academic outcomes. While Northwestern Middle School stands out as a top performer, nearby schools like Autrey Mill Middle School and Webb Bridge Middle School also demonstrate strong academic performance and high rankings within the state, providing a good comparison point for the level of excellence in the local area.

Detail:

Public 6-8

12805 Birmingham Hwy
Alpharetta, GA 30004

(470) 254-2870

District: Fulton County

SchoolDigger Rank:
21^st of 588 Georgia Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,362

Students who attend Northwestern Middle School usually attend:

High:

Milton High School

Feeder schools for Northwestern Middle School:

Elementary:	Birmingham Falls Elementary School
	Crabapple Crossing Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.8

Number of students: 1,118

Racial breakdown:

White:

64.8%

Asian:

12.2%

Hispanic:

8.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 11%

See top rated Georgia middle schools

Compare Northwestern Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Northwestern Middle School ranks better than 96.4% of middle schools in Georgia. It also ranks 4^th among 20 ranked middle schools in the Fulton County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 96.8. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (64.8%), Asian (12.2%), Hispanic (8.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 11% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Northwestern Middle School is 13.8, which is the 10^th best among 20 middle schools in the Fulton County School District. (See more...)

Compare Northwestern Middle School employs 80.9 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Northwestern Middle School is $10,362. 14 middle schools in the Fulton County School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Northwestern Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Northwestern Middle School 21^st of 588 Georgia public middle schools. (See Northwestern Middle School in the ranking list.)

Fulton County:

SchoolDigger ranks Fulton County 57^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Northwestern Middle School.

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Your rating for Northwestern Middle School?

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Rank History for Northwestern Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	89.80	12^th	420	97.1%
2007	88.64	16^th	445	96.4%
2008	89.58	14^th	462	97.0%
2009	88.55	12^th	466	97.4%
2010	87.14	14^th	494	97.2%
2011	86.08	16^th	504	96.8%
2012	84.43	23^rd	508	95.5%
2013	83.94	23^rd	527	95.6%
2014	83.72	25^th	521	95.2%
2015	95.65	20^th	537	96.3%
2016	97.08	14^th	545	97.4%
2017	95.39	21^st	539	96.1%
2018	95.00	25^th	543	95.4%
2019	94.36	28^th	559	95.0%
2021	95.83	25^th	542	95.4%
2022	96.92	20^th	567	96.5%
2023	97.06	18^th	577	96.9%
2024	96.80	21^st	588	96.4%

See the entire list of Georgia Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, March 13, 2017

The best Middle school in Fulton County! I have been there for 5 years as a parent and volunteer. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 8, 2013

NMS offers a great environment for students and a variety of programs and activities. The Principal, Dr. Jasmine Kullar, has remarkable leadership skills, is professional and friendly. The front office personnel is attentive and able to serve; teachers are committed with education and students. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, March 19, 2009

There are so many wonderful programs at Northwestern, something that fits with every child's interests and needs. I have watched my daughter blossom at this school like I never would have imagined out of her first year in middle school. I would not think of moving my kids out of this school. I have never been happier with a school that my kids have attended. The teachers are great, wonderful programs, superior opportunities......This is a fabulous place for your kids to attend school. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Northwestern Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1997	1171	66	33	27	0	n/a	n/a	0	1297
1998	1332	85	34	33	0	n/a	n/a	0	1484
1999	1495	117	45	36	0	n/a	n/a	0	1693
2000	1618	118	58	36	1	n/a	n/a	0	1831
2001	1745	126	65	50	1	n/a	n/a	0	1987
2002	1318	119	41	57	1	n/a	n/a	0	1536
2003	1318	119	41	57	1	n/a	n/a	0	1536
2004	1418	155	53	59	2	n/a	n/a	0	1687
2005	852	121	30	29	0	n/a	n/a	32	1064
2006	930	123	35	35	0	n/a	n/a	37	1160
2007	927	148	35	46	0	n/a	n/a	44	1200
2008	961	102	48	53	0	n/a	n/a	42	1206
2009	986	92	59	56	1	n/a	n/a	42	1236
2010	1006	99	61	49	0	0	34	0	1249
2011	971	111	75	70	0	0	36	0	1263
2012	970	102	81	79	0	0	27	0	1259
2013	968	111	110	83	0	0	40	0	1312
2014	956	130	125	96	0	0	40	0	1347
2015	930	121	131	96	0	0	54	0	1332
2016	897	120	135	85	0	0	43	0	1280
2017	907	118	173	107	0	1	49	0	1355
2018	879	103	168	112	0	2	50	0	1314
2019	849	108	157	114	0	4	52	0	1284
2020	831	108	139	101	0	3	63	0	1245
2021	797	81	144	106	3	1	60	0	1192
2022	777	81	134	103	1	0	50	0	1146
2023	766	83	137	109	2	0	46	0	1143
2024	724	95	136	100	5	1	57	0	1118

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Northwestern Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1997	1297	56.9	22.8	6.5
1998	1484	91.8	16.2	4.6
1999	1693	105.8	16.0	3.7
2000	1831	116.6	15.7	2.7
2001	1987	120.0	16.6	2.6
2002	1536	99.5	15.4	5.1
2003	1536	99.5	15.4	5.1
2004	1687	109.5	15.4	7.4
2005	1064	72.1	14.8	8.4
2006	1160	77.6	14.9	9.5
2007	1200	84.2	14.3	8.7
2008	1206	93.1	13.0	6.2
2009	1236	92.0	13.4	7
2010	1249	89.9	13.8	7.7
2011	1263	89.2	14.1	9.6
2012	1259	89.6	14.0	8.5
2013	1312	90.9	14.4	8.1
2014	1347	90.1	14.9	9.7
2015	1332	92.0	14.4	8.9
2016	1280	87.0	14.7	7.4
2017	1355	87.5	15.4	7.9
2018	1314	85.1	15.4	6.5
2019	1284	84.7	15.1	6.6
2020	1245	86.9	14.3	6.3
2021	1192	87.0	13.7	4.7
2022	1146	80.0	14.3	n/a
2023	1143	79.1	14.4	6.6
2024	1118	80.9	13.8	11

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Northwestern Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1997	1297	56.9	22.8	6.5
1998	1484	91.8	16.2	4.6
1999	1693	105.8	16.0	3.7
2000	1831	116.6	15.7	2.7
2001	1987	120.0	16.6	2.6
2002	1536	99.5	15.4	5.1
2003	1536	99.5	15.4	5.1
2004	1687	109.5	15.4	7.4
2005	1064	72.1	14.8	8.4
2006	1160	77.6	14.9	9.5
2007	1200	84.2	14.3	8.7
2008	1206	93.1	13.0	6.2
2009	1236	92.0	13.4	7
2010	1249	89.9	13.8	7.7
2011	1263	89.2	14.1	9.6
2012	1259	89.6	14.0	8.5
2013	1312	90.9	14.4	8.1
2014	1347	90.1	14.9	9.7
2015	1332	92.0	14.4	8.9
2016	1280	87.0	14.7	7.4
2017	1355	87.5	15.4	7.9
2018	1314	85.1	15.4	6.5
2019	1284	84.7	15.1	6.6
2020	1245	86.9	14.3	6.3
2021	1192	87.0	13.7	4.7
2022	1146	80.0	14.3	n/a
2023	1143	79.1	14.4	6.6
2024	1118	80.9	13.8	11

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Northwestern Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$192 (2.0%)	$9,270 (97.9%)	$9,470
2018	$159 (1.6%)	$9,769 (98.4%)	$9,928
2019	$177 (1.7%)	$10,185 (98.3%)	$10,362

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Northwestern Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 28^th of 559 Middle schools	Ranks 18^th of 577 Middle schools	1.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Northwestern Middle School)	83	75.6	7.4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Fulton County)	57	51	6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	46	39.2	6.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Northwestern Middle School)	76.2	70.4	5.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Fulton County)	48.9	42.6	6.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	40	32.9	7.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Northwestern Middle School)	66.8	72.2	5.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Fulton County)	47.9	50.8	2.9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	39	39.1	0.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Northwestern Middle School)	67	67
7th Grade Mathematics (Fulton County)	48.6	42.6	6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	43	34.9	8.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Northwestern Middle School)	71.1	79.9	8.8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Fulton County)	50.5	53.9	3.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	47	42.1	4.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Northwestern Middle School)	58.3	71	12.7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Fulton County)	38.5	41.5	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	35	36.2	1.2%
8th Grade Science (Northwestern Middle School)	52.4	46.1	6.3%
8th Grade Science (Fulton County)	36.4	31.4	5%
8th Grade Science (Georgia)	32	26.4	5.6%
8th Grade Social Studies (Northwestern Middle School)	67.6	70.3	2.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Fulton County)	46.8	38.5	8.3%
8th Grade Social Studies (Georgia)	41	35.9	5.1%
End of Course Algebra I (Northwestern Middle School)	97.1	95.7	1.4%
End of Course Algebra I (Fulton County)	49.3	49.3
End of Course Algebra I (Georgia)	41.1	35.8	5.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1284	1143	11%
African American	108	83	23.1%
American Indian	0	2
Asian	157	137	12.7%
Hispanic	114	109	4.4%
Pacific Islander	4	0	100%
White	849	766	9.8%
Two or More Races	52	46	11.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	6.6%	6.6%	0%

Schools Near Northwestern Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2024)	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)			Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)			Milestones Assessment Science (2024)	Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Northwestern Middle School	Public	6-8	12805 Birmingham Hwy	Alpharetta	30004	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	No	(470) 254-2870	1,118	81	13.8	11.0%	724 (64.8%)	95 (8.5%)	100 (8.9%)	136 (12.2%)	5 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	57 (5.1%)	96.8	21^st of 588 public middle schools	96.4%		97.1	18^th of 577 public middle schools	96.9%	3	87.0	81.0	73.9	78.3	70.7	75.4	75.1	51.4	62.6	$10,362	$177	$10,185
Elkins Pointe Middle School	Public	6-8	11290 Elkins Rd	Roswell	30076	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	Yes	(470) 254-2892	871	70	12.3	49.3%	330 (37.9%)	113 (13.0%)	373 (42.8%)	32 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (2.6%)	76.8	118^th of 588 public middle schools	79.9%		75	124^th of 577 public middle schools	78.5%	6	94.2	49.0	51.7	48.3	57.4	57.4	53.8	33.2	47.7	$12,068	$601	$11,467
Hopewell Middle School	Public	6-8	13060 Cogburn Rd	Alpharetta	30004	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	No	(470) 254-3240	1,196	87	13.7	18.1%	557 (46.6%)	156 (13.0%)	186 (15.6%)	228 (19.1%)	4 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	62 (5.2%)	90.6	54^th of 588 public middle schools	90.8%		91.8	48^th of 577 public middle schools	91.7%	6	99.4	73.9	69.0	65.3	67.3	69.8	59.8	39.0	52.0	$9,753	$233	$9,521
Crabapple Middle School	Public	6-8	10900 Woodstock Rd.	Roswell	30075	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	No	(470) 254-4520	910	70	12.9	18.5%	618 (67.9%)	119 (13.1%)	107 (11.8%)	26 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	39 (4.3%)	93.6	41^st of 588 public middle schools	93.0%		93.2	43^rd of 577 public middle schools	92.5%	2	72.5	68.0	67.7	67.9	55.5	67.4	72.5	48.0	66.4	$10,399	$150	$10,249
Haynes Bridge Middle School	Public	6-8	10665 Haynes Bridge Rd	Alpharetta	30022	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	No	(470) 254-7030	623	57	10.9	39.6%	274 (44.0%)	111 (17.8%)	172 (27.6%)	25 (4.0%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (6.3%)	82.2	93^rd of 588 public middle schools	84.2%		80.4	95^th of 577 public middle schools	83.5%	2	89.9	65.7	59.3	55.9	59.8	57.8	57.4	23.9	45.6	$13,876	$849	$13,027
DeSana Middle School	Public	6-8	625 James Road	Alpharetta	30004	Fulton County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(770) 667-2591	1,251	71	17.5	24.0%	280 (22.4%)	98 (7.8%)	225 (18.0%)	606 (48.4%)	12 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (2.4%)	93.4	42^nd of 588 public middle schools	92.9%		93.9	39^th of 577 public middle schools	93.2%	3	91.7	69.7	62.2	64.6	67.5	67.5	71.3		61.8	$8,430	$133	$8,297
Webb Bridge Middle School	Public	6-8	4455 Webb Bridge Rd	Alpharetta	30005	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	No	(470) 254-2940	1,220	88	13.8	10.7%	345 (28.3%)	107 (8.8%)	129 (10.6%)	568 (46.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	69 (5.7%)	99.1	6^th of 588 public middle schools	99.0%		99	5^th of 577 public middle schools	99.1%	1	99.6	82.2	81.9	85.9	75.6	84.0	87.8	78.6	77.0	$10,461	$151	$10,310
Sandy Springs Middle School	Public	6-8	8750 Pride Pl	Atlanta	30350	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	Yes	(470) 254-4970	774	59	13.0	65.6%	92 (11.9%)	380 (49.1%)	226 (29.2%)	28 (3.6%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (5.6%)	49.1	279^th of 588 public middle schools	52.6%		49	270^th of 577 public middle schools	53.2%	9	73.5	42.5	37.8	52.9	24.9	23.0	38.7	29.3	25.8	$10,953	$204	$10,750
Dean Rusk Middle School	Public	6-8	2761 E Cherokee Dr	Canton	30115	Cherokee County	Cherokee County	No	No	No	No	(770) 704-1135	1,483	91	16.3	32.0%	960 (64.7%)	120 (8.1%)	265 (17.9%)	49 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	88 (5.9%)	84	83^rd of 588 public middle schools	85.9%		83.8	82^nd of 577 public middle schools	85.8%	1	98.1	54.3	52.5	55.0	55.9	57.8	59.7	40.3	61.0	$8,218	$157	$8,061
Autrey Mill Middle School	Public	6-8	4110 Old Alabama Rd	Alpharetta	30022	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	No	(470) 254-7622	1,264	85	14.8	15.2%	518 (41.0%)	122 (9.7%)	126 (10.0%)	416 (32.9%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	80 (6.3%)	96.2	24^th of 588 public middle schools	95.9%		97.9	11^th of 577 public middle schools	98.1%	13	92.2	79.3	76.5	75.5	76.2	75.9	79.9	32.7	66.9	$9,486	$176	$9,309

Northwestern Middle School

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Rank History for Northwestern Middle School

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Enrollment information for Northwestern Middle School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Northwestern Middle School

Student/Teacher Ratio Northwestern Middle School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Northwestern Middle School

Impact of COVID-19 on Northwestern Middle School

Rankings

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Student Body

Schools Near Northwestern Middle School