Northwestern Senior High School is the westernmost active high school in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Its student body is approximately 451. The school serves the boroughs of Albion, Platea, Cranesville, Springfield Township, Conneaut Township, and Elk Creek Township.
Serving 413 students in grades 9-12, Northwestern Sr. High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-49% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 45-49% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 413 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 4%
- Graduation Rate: 90-94% (Top 50% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 40-49% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 45-49% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 40-44% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
School Overview
Northwestern Sr. High School's student population of 413 students has declined by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 29 teachers has declined by 12% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
413 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
29 teachers
Colors
Black, Red
School Rankings
Northwestern Sr. High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Northwestern Sr. High School is 0.08, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1619 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-49%
36%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
57%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
5%
Hispanic
1%
15%
Black
n/a
14%
White
96%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
90-94%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (21-22)
4%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Wildcat
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Northwestern Sr. High School's ranking?
Northwestern Sr. High School is ranked #1619 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Northwestern Sr. High School often compared to?
Northwestern Sr. High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Fairview High School, Girard High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-49% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% PA state average), while 45-49% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Northwestern Sr. High School?
The graduation rate of Northwestern Sr. High School is 90-94%, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Northwestern Sr. High School?
413 students attend Northwestern Sr. High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
96% of Northwestern Sr. High School students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Northwestern Sr. High School?
Northwestern Sr. High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Northwestern Sr. High School offer ?
Northwestern Sr. High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Northwestern Sr. High School part of?
Northwestern Sr. High School is part of Northwestern School District.
School Reviews
2 10/16/2014
northwestern school is a rural school which does not prepare the students with a strong education which is needed to compete in this world we live in. Most of the population of this community is unable to read and write and do simple math which includes the teachers that teach the children of the area. I graduated from this school and had to teach my self basic skills to succeed and I would never have my children attend this school and feel sorry for the child who is educated there. I would recommend any parent who has a child in this area to attend any alternative possible if they want their child to be successful in this world. I moved to another state and my children are at least two years ahead of any school in Pa. This community is a nice place to live but an horrible place to have children educated in.
Review Northwestern Sr. High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.