Northwood High

Public 9-12

 4515 Portola Pkwy.
       Irvine, CA  92620-2200


(949) 936-7200

District: Irvine Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
93rd of 2,346 California High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $6,296 Help


Feeder schools for Northwood High:

Elementary:    Brywood Elementary
    Canyon View Elementary
    Eastwood Elementary
    Northwood Elementary
    More...
Middle:    Sierra Vista Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  27.5 Help
Number of students:  2,251

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
60.9%
White:
18.5%
Two or more races:
9.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  18.6% Help


 See top rated California high schools

 Compare Northwood High to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Northwood High ranks better than 96% of high schools in California. It also ranks 4th among 6 ranked high schools in the Irvine Unified School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 94.71. (See more...)
Help
The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Northwood High freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high 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
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Asian (60.9%), White (18.5%), two or more races (9.2%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 18.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Northwood High is 27.5. 5 high schools in the Irvine Unified School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Northwood High employs 81.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Northwood High is $6,296. 5 high schools in the Irvine Unified School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Northwood High:

SchoolDigger ranks Northwood High 93rd of 2346 California public high schools. (See Northwood High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Military Connected students:
Male students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Irvine Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Irvine Unified 92nd of 1560 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Northwood High?

Rank History for Northwood High

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 88.45 26th 1653 98.4%
2005 89.29 29th 1901 98.5%
2006 88.77 38th 1968 98.1%
2007 89.32 30th 2063 98.5%
2008 91.55 12th 2117 99.4%
2009 87.68 27th 2238 98.8%
2010 93.12 13th 2281 99.4%
2011 94.19 8th 2367 99.7%
2012 91.75 20th 2354 99.2%
2013 93.75 8th 2426 99.7%
2015 97.31 29th 1994 98.5%
2016 96.92 35th 2039 98.3%
2017 96.60 46th 2021 97.7%
2018 93.51 128th 2017 93.7%
2019 83.43 300th 2133 85.9%
2021 94.56 63rd 1290 95.1%
2022 98.48 29th 2123 98.6%
2023 94.71 92nd 2335 96.1%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 72.31 107th 366 70.8%
2019 59.10 180th 422 57.3%
2022 84.19 51st 515 90.1%
2023 58.52 267th 780 65.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.33 46th 938 95.1%
2019 98.75 11th 941 98.8%
2022 66.63 129th 1044 87.6%
2023 61.63 129th 1315 90.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 90.89 43rd 1539 97.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.55 266th 1862 85.7%
2019 95.02 70th 1937 96.4%
2021 94.42 46th 1126 95.9%
2022 96.87 59th 1943 97.0%
2023 87.77 166th 2237 92.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 90.66 143rd 1760 91.9%
2019 95.71 70th 1833 96.2%
2021 94.01 51st 1054 95.2%
2022 98.09 29th 1858 98.4%
2023 95.75 61st 2106 97.1%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 98.10 34th 1052 96.8%
2019 86.27 95th 1117 91.5%
2021 95.62 23rd 555 95.9%
2022 95.18 50th 1161 95.7%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 84.09 22nd 168 86.9%
2023 83.47 33rd 233 85.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.65 103rd 1834 94.4%
2019 97.37 53rd 1880 97.2%
2021 93.85 69th 1122 93.9%
2022 98.37 42nd 1916 97.8%
2023 92.33 131st 2195 94.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.07 162nd 581 72.1%
2019 85.09 64th 582 89.0%
2022 86.92 48th 581 91.7%
2023 71.35 217th 727 70.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.88 364th 1742 79.1%
2019 91.50 105th 1814 94.2%
2022 85.40 185th 1861 90.1%
2023 94.56 71st 2132 96.7%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Northwood High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.82 290th 1173 75.3%
2019 91.21 69th 1222 94.4%
2022 85.42 129th 1204 89.3%
2023 68.80 319th 1424 77.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California 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.

Northwood High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Monday, April 18, 2011

Open Quote The school is absolutely breathtaking; building designs, academics (education received), teachers, and even the people roaming the campus. Northwood is a great school where the competition to achieve perfection is well sought throughout each student. Even as its birth since 1999, it has climbed up the ranks and is now situated to be 7th in the top ten best schools in Orange County. As Wikipedia states, "In May 2006, the school was featured in Newsweek as a "Public Elite" among American high schools, excluded from the standard list of Best High Schools because so many of the students score well above average on the SAT and ACT." Northwood High is a multicultural high school where top-notch students expand their learning in a competitive environment as well as mature and discover their identity through Northwood's elective classes such as a wide variety in arts (visual, performing), business and technology courses, world languages, science/history/social science courses that go beyond core subjects (Horticulture, Psychology, Economics, Anatomy/Physiology, etc), as well as English courses exceed the core subject (Journalism, our renowned NHS Howler Newspaper, Speech and Debate, Broadcast Communications, etc), and also our vast range of award-winning sports (basketball, football, waterpolo, tennis, wrestling, swimming, track and field, cross country, volleyball, yoga, bowling, weight training, etc). Northwood provides an elite education as well as a community filled with students that are motivated, highly determined, welcoming, and admirable. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Northwood High

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2000 509 6 182 37 4 n/a n/a 1 739
2001 780 11 289 58 1 n/a n/a 9 1148
2002 1026 16 564 92 3 n/a n/a 21 1722
2003 1026 16 564 92 3 n/a n/a 21 1722
2004 1019 15 704 82 8 n/a n/a 30 1858
2005 1059 21 848 81 8 n/a n/a 43 2060
2006 1028 24 950 106 8 n/a n/a 47 2163
2007 1034 25 1006 101 11 n/a n/a 44 2221
2008 980 20 1056 104 7 n/a n/a 0 2167
2009 911 22 997 107 11 4 65 0 2117
2010 841 21 971 105 10 6 71 0 2025
2011 763 15 971 104 11 6 77 0 1947
2012 692 14 1005 133 9 5 95 0 1953
2013 656 18 1061 132 8 6 85 0 1966
2014 670 24 1111 120 6 6 80 0 2017
2015 685 30 1223 139 11 5 80 0 2173
2016 661 32 1311 140 12 7 77 0 2240
2017 646 33 1289 170 9 5 85 0 2237
2018 618 42 1306 173 10 5 91 0 2245
2019 564 38 1284 185 7 3 114 0 2195
2020 542 31 1253 184 4 2 135 0 2151
2021 426 26 1008 149 3 4 137 3 1756
2022 462 34 1286 203 2 3 201 9 2200
2023 417 37 1371 201 5 4 207 9 2251

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 Northwood High

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 739 31.4 23.5 2.4
2001 1148 45.2 25.4 1.2
2002 1722 65.6 26.3 1.4
2003 1722 65.6 26.3 1.4
2004 1858 71.5 26.0 0.9
2005 2060 80.4 25.6 2.1
2006 2163 81.1 26.7 1.7
2007 2221 86.8 25.6 2
2008 2167 89.3 24.3 2.7
2009 2117 84.1 23.3 2.8
2010 2025 73.4 27.5 4
2011 1947 n/a n/a 4.5
2012 1953 69.5 28.0 n/a
2013 1966 68.0 28.8 5.5
2014 2017 65.8 30.6 6.2
2015 2173 72.0 30.1 6.8
2016 2240 81.0 27.6 7.8
2017 2237 81.8 27.3 8.2
2018 2245 85.4 26.2 15.3
2019 2195 82.4 26.6 15.7
2020 2151 n/a n/a 16
2021 1756 69.7 25.1 16.4
2022 2200 88.2 24.9 17.3
2023 2251 81.6 27.5 18.6

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 Northwood High

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 739 31.4 23.5 2.4
2001 1148 45.2 25.4 1.2
2002 1722 65.6 26.3 1.4
2003 1722 65.6 26.3 1.4
2004 1858 71.5 26.0 0.9
2005 2060 80.4 25.6 2.1
2006 2163 81.1 26.7 1.7
2007 2221 86.8 25.6 2
2008 2167 89.3 24.3 2.7
2009 2117 84.1 23.3 2.8
2010 2025 73.4 27.5 4
2011 1947 n/a n/a 4.5
2012 1953 69.5 28.0 n/a
2013 1966 68.0 28.8 5.5
2014 2017 65.8 30.6 6.2
2015 2173 72.0 30.1 6.8
2016 2240 81.0 27.6 7.8
2017 2237 81.8 27.3 8.2
2018 2245 85.4 26.2 15.3
2019 2195 82.4 26.6 15.7
2020 2151 n/a n/a 16
2021 1756 69.7 25.1 16.4
2022 2200 88.2 24.9 17.3
2023 2251 81.6 27.5 18.6

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 Northwood High

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $6,296

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Northwood High

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 300th of 2133 High schoolsRanks 92nd of 2335 High schools
 10.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Northwood High)8276.9
 5.1%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Irvine Unified)76.277.1
 0.9%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Northwood High)78.469.2
 9.2%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Irvine Unified)70.766.1
 4.6%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
11th Grade Science (Northwood High)75.758.6
 17.1%
   11th Grade Science (Irvine Unified)66.561.9
 4.7%
   11th Grade Science (California)30.431.7
 1.3%
12th Grade Science (Northwood High)16.733.3
 16.7%
   12th Grade Science (Irvine Unified)26.143.2
 17.1%
   12th Grade Science (California)25.626.9
 1.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students21952251
 2.6%
African American3837
 2.6%
American Indian75
 28.6%
Asian12841371
 6.8%
Hispanic185201
 8.6%
Pacific Islander34
 33.3%
White564417
 26.1%
Two or More Races114207
 81.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients15.7%18.6%
 2.9%


Schools Near Northwood High









Frequently Asked Questions about Northwood High

Northwood High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Brywood Elementary
Elementary : Canyon View Elementary
Elementary : Eastwood Elementary
Elementary : Northwood Elementary
Elementary : Santiago Hills Elementary
Elementary : Stonegate Elementary
Middle : Sierra Vista Middle

In the 2022-23 school year, 2,251 students attended Northwood High.

Students at Northwood High are 61% Asian, 19% White, 9% Two or more races, 9% Hispanic, 2% African American.

Yes! Northwood High is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 93rd of 2346 California high schools.


Rate Northwood High!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Northwood High!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education. School Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data 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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 307 milliseconds.