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Northwestern Elementary

Summary:

Northwestern Elementary is a public elementary school located in Mardela Springs, Maryland, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 341. The school is part of the Wicomico County Public Schools district, which is ranked 19 out of 25 in Maryland and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Northwestern Elementary consistently outperforms the Wicomico County Public Schools district and the state of Maryland in both Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency across all grade levels. In the 2023-2024 school year, 41.9% of Northwestern Elementary students were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to 20% for the district and 24.1% for the state. In the same year, 57.4% of Northwestern Elementary students were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 37.6% for the district and 48.4% for the state. The school's strong academic performance is reflected in its statewide ranking, which has ranged from 168 out of 847 Maryland elementary schools in 2016-2017 to 308 out of 859 in the current 2023-2024 school year, with a consistent 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite having a relatively high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds (54.25% in 2022-2023), Northwestern Elementary's low socioeconomic status students perform significantly better than their peers in the district, ranking 117 out of 546 Maryland elementary schools in this subgroup for the 2020-2021 school year. This suggests that the school may have effective strategies in place to support and uplift students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, the school's predominantly white student population (80.35% in 2022-2023), with a lower percentage of African American (8.21%) and Hispanic (2.93%) students compared to nearby schools, may indicate a need to address issues of equity and inclusion within the school community.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 9975 Sharptown Rd
       Mardela Springs, MD  21837

(410) 677-5808

District: Wicomico County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
308th of 859 Maryland Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,113 Help


Students who attend Northwestern Elementary usually attend:

High:    Mardela Middle & High

Student/teacher ratio:  15.9 Help
Number of students:  335

Racial breakdown:

White:
79.7%
African American:
9.0%
Two or more races:
6.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  53.4% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Northwestern Elementary ranks better than 64.1% of elementary schools in Maryland. It also ranks 2nd among 10 ranked elementary schools in the Wicomico County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 59.57. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (79.7%), African American (9%), two or more races (6.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 53.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Northwestern Elementary is 15.9. 13 elementary schools in the Wicomico County Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Northwestern Elementary employs 21 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Northwestern Elementary is $16,113. 14 elementary schools in the Wicomico County Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Wicomico County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Wicomico County Public Schools 19th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Northwestern Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Northwestern Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 71.19 236th 803 70.6%
2005 75.70 188th 805 76.6%
2006 72.48 222nd 804 72.4%
2007 66.27 300th 818 63.3%
2008 66.15 303rd 838 63.8%
2009 66.09 314th 850 63.1%
2010 69.91 272nd 855 68.2%
2011 70.73 237th 853 72.2%
2012 67.75 290th 857 66.2%
2013 81.77 108th 847 87.2%
2014 66.06 330th 867 61.9%
2015 50.07 388th 859 54.8%
2016 70.19 247th 845 70.8%
2017 80.71 168th 847 80.2%
2018 76.03 202nd 857 76.4%
2019 73.07 231st 853 72.9%
2021 40.60 355th 802 55.7%
2022 53.23 372nd 862 56.8%
2023 64.62 275th 855 67.8%
2024 59.57 308th 859 64.1%
See the entire list of Maryland Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Northwestern Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 59.62 117th 546 78.6%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Northwestern Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 41.22 370th 796 53.5%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Northwestern Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 37.52 384th 788 51.3%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Northwestern Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 23.80 393rd 528 25.6%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Northwestern Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, September 1, 2017

Open Quote great school Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, December 6, 2010

Open Quote All three of my children have attended Northwestern. The teachers have always been great, and the current principal (Mr. Bryson) is phenominal. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Northwestern Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 195 83 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 282
1990 188 87 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 278
1991 204 80 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 288
1992 214 81 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 299
1993 226 75 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 303
1994 222 73 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 297
1995 236 78 3 2 1 n/a n/a 0 320
1996 236 78 3 2 1 n/a n/a 0 320
1997 213 79 2 5 1 n/a n/a 0 300
1998 244 83 2 6 0 n/a n/a 0 335
1999 226 91 2 4 0 n/a n/a 0 323
2000 201 68 2 4 1 n/a n/a 0 276
2001 212 77 2 5 1 n/a n/a 0 297
2002 190 75 2 10 1 n/a n/a 0 278
2003 190 75 2 10 1 n/a n/a 0 278
2004 204 71 4 12 1 n/a n/a 0 292
2005 192 70 2 13 3 n/a n/a 0 280
2006 198 61 0 10 2 n/a n/a 0 271
2007 198 56 0 12 2 n/a n/a 0 268
2008 196 51 1 9 3 n/a n/a 0 260
2009 192 54 0 10 1 n/a n/a 0 257
2010 227 47 1 10 2 n/a n/a 0 287
2011 213 28 1 22 1 0 24 0 289
2012 211 30 1 18 0 0 26 0 286
2013 219 34 6 17 1 0 30 0 307
2014 233 37 6 13 2 0 34 0 325
2015 223 33 6 14 1 0 34 0 311
2016 223 24 7 15 1 0 32 0 302
2017 225 34 5 12 1 0 32 0 309
2018 240 35 7 9 2 0 35 0 328
2019 235 35 6 5 3 0 34 0 318
2020 256 26 4 10 3 0 35 0 334
2021 239 25 3 10 2 2 27 0 308
2022 258 22 4 14 2 2 29 1 332
2023 274 28 5 10 2 0 22 0 341
2024 267 30 6 10 1 0 21 0 335

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 Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 282 14.7 19.1 n/a
1990 278 15.2 18.2 23.7
1991 288 16.2 17.7 25.3
1992 299 17.2 17.3 28.8
1993 303 19.7 15.4 28.4
1994 297 19.8 15.0 32
1995 320 20.0 16.0 28.1
1996 320 20.0 16.0 28.1
1997 300 17.1 17.5 29.7
1998 335 19.6 17.1 31.3
1999 323 19.6 16.5 41.2
2000 276 19.5 14.2 39.5
2001 297 19.7 15.1 44.4
2002 278 18.4 15.1 45
2003 278 18.4 15.1 45
2004 292 20.5 14.2 47.3
2005 280 19.0 14.7 50.4
2006 271 19.0 14.3 44.3
2007 268 19.2 14.0 46.3
2008 260 20.2 12.9 52.7
2009 257 20.3 12.7 51
2010 287 18.5 15.5 47.4
2011 289 18.5 15.6 49.8
2012 286 17.0 16.8 54.9
2013 307 17.0 18.0 54.1
2014 325 17.0 19.1 49.8
2015 311 18.0 17.2 49.2
2016 302 18.0 16.7 49
2017 309 19.0 16.2 49.5
2018 328 19.0 17.2 48.2
2019 318 18.0 17.6 48.4
2020 334 18.0 18.5 44
2021 308 20.0 15.4 51.3
2022 332 19.0 17.4 51.2
2023 341 21.0 16.2 54.3
2024 335 21.0 15.9 53.4

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 Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 282 14.7 19.1 n/a
1990 278 15.2 18.2 23.7
1991 288 16.2 17.7 25.3
1992 299 17.2 17.3 28.8
1993 303 19.7 15.4 28.4
1994 297 19.8 15.0 32
1995 320 20.0 16.0 28.1
1996 320 20.0 16.0 28.1
1997 300 17.1 17.5 29.7
1998 335 19.6 17.1 31.3
1999 323 19.6 16.5 41.2
2000 276 19.5 14.2 39.5
2001 297 19.7 15.1 44.4
2002 278 18.4 15.1 45
2003 278 18.4 15.1 45
2004 292 20.5 14.2 47.3
2005 280 19.0 14.7 50.4
2006 271 19.0 14.3 44.3
2007 268 19.2 14.0 46.3
2008 260 20.2 12.9 52.7
2009 257 20.3 12.7 51
2010 287 18.5 15.5 47.4
2011 289 18.5 15.6 49.8
2012 286 17.0 16.8 54.9
2013 307 17.0 18.0 54.1
2014 325 17.0 19.1 49.8
2015 311 18.0 17.2 49.2
2016 302 18.0 16.7 49
2017 309 19.0 16.2 49.5
2018 328 19.0 17.2 48.2
2019 318 18.0 17.6 48.4
2020 334 18.0 18.5 44
2021 308 20.0 15.4 51.3
2022 332 19.0 17.4 51.2
2023 341 21.0 16.2 54.3
2024 335 21.0 15.9 53.4

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 Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $578 (4.7%) $11,720 (95.3%) $12,298
2020 $723 (5.8%) $11,742 (94.2%) $12,465
2021 $3,665 (26.9%) $9,938 (73.1%) $13,604
2022 $2,069 (13.7%) $13,053 (86.3%) $15,122
2023 $2,430 (15.1%) $13,683 (84.9%) $16,113

Data source: Maryland Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Northwestern Elementary

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 231st of 853 Elementary schoolsRanks 275th of 855 Elementary schools
 5.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students318341
 7.2%
African American3528
 20%
American Indian32
 33.3%
Asian65
 16.7%
Hispanic510
 100%
Pacific Islander00
White235274
 16.6%
Two or More Races3422
 35.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients48.4%54.3%
 5.8%

Schools Near Northwestern Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about Northwestern Elementary

Northwestern Elementary ranks 308th of 859 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Northwestern Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Mardela Middle & High

Students at Northwestern Elementary are 80% White, 9% African American, 6% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic, 2% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 335 students attended Northwestern Elementary.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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