The reported proficiency rate for Science is 36%.
Original Research by School Decision on Northwestern High
Northwestern High is a large regular public high school in Hyattsville, Maryland, serving students in grades nine through twelve. It sits within Prince George’s County Public Schools, a district that has recently approved a significant operating budget increase with additional funding directed toward teacher salaries and student support services. The district has also adopted a new evidence-based literacy curriculum for elementary grades and conducted a boundary review to address overcrowding, changes that may affect feeder patterns in the coming years. None of those district-level shifts directly describe the high school experience, but they signal the broader context in which the school operates.
The student body is notably diverse and large. The majority of students are Hispanic, with a substantial Black population and smaller shares of white, Asian, and multiracial students. A very high share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting the economic profile of the community. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records, so that part of the school’s support landscape is not visible here.
Academic performance comes from state assessments administered in a single recent year, so there is no trend to examine. In English language arts, the share of students reaching proficiency was in the moderate range. In mathematics, proficiency was low, and the same pattern held for algebra 2 and geometry individually. A separate science assessment result was available from an earlier year but was administered at grade eight, a level the school does not serve, making that result difficult to interpret for a high school audience. No graduation rate was reported, which is an important gap; a parent or resident may wish to ask the school directly about graduation and dropout figures. Because only one district in Prince George’s County was included in the comparison set, it is not possible to position Northwestern High against other high schools in the county on proficiency or attendance measures.
Hyattsville is an urban suburb of Washington, D.C., with a historic residential core and substantial redevelopment in recent years around the Arts District and the Hyattsville Crossing Metro station. The city invests heavily in walkability and trail connectivity, including the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, and it operates a bikeshare network. Multiple transit options serve the area: two Metro stations, a MARC commuter rail stop, and bus routes. The community’s growth has been steady, with new residential and commercial projects adding density. The median housing value and rent are well above national benchmarks, and the area remains a commuter hub with a long average travel time to work.
For a family considering this school, the profile is one of a very large, urban high school with a diverse student body and a high concentration of economic need. Academic outcomes in math are a clear area of concern, and the missing graduation rate leaves an important question unanswered. The school’s website may offer more detail on course offerings, Advanced Placement or dual-enrollment options, and support programs. The district’s boundary review and budget increases could bring changes in resources or attendance zones, so it is worth tracking those developments. Northwestern High serves a community that values walkability, transit access, and a dense urban environment, but the academic picture is incomplete and warrants direct inquiry.
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