Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Northwestern High School

Q: Is Northwestern High School a good school?

Northwestern High School ranks 328 th of 698 Illinois high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

328^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 698 Illinois High Schools

Better than 53% of Illinois high schools

Summary

Northwestern High School is a public high school located in Palmyra, Illinois, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 84 students. The school is part of the Northwestern CUSD 2 district, which is ranked 559 out of 811 districts in Illinois and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Northwestern High School faces several challenges, including lower student performance on standardized tests, with proficiency rates ranging from 25% to 62.5% across different subject areas and grade levels, which is generally below the state averages. The school's four-year graduation rate has ranged from 76.5% to 89.0% in recent years, which is lower than the state average, and its dropout rate has been relatively high, ranging from 2.4% to 9.5%. Additionally, the school has had a chronic absenteeism rate ranging from 17.0% to 26.3%, which is significantly higher than the state average.

Comparing Northwestern High School to nearby schools, such as Greenfield High School, Franklin Junior/Senior High School, North Mac High School, Carlinville High School, and Waverly Junior/Senior High School, it appears that Northwestern High School is underperforming in several key areas. However, the school's relatively high per-student spending, ranging from $17,039 to $23,419 in recent years, and low student-to-teacher ratio, ranging from 6.3 to 6.9, suggest a focus on providing additional resources and support to its students.

Students ?

7.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$22,037

Per pupil spending ?

39.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

30889 Route 111
Palmyra, IL 62674-6303

(217) 436-2011

District: Northwestern CUSD 2

Feeder schools for Northwestern High School:

Elementary:	Northwestern Elementary School
Middle:	Northwestern Junior High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

96.8%

Two or more races:

2.1%

Not Specified:

1.1%

See top rated Illinois high schools

Compare Northwestern High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 3rd percentile in 2021 → 53rd in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 53rd (2025) from a 3rd-percentile low (2021)

✓Above the Illinois median (53rd percentile)

✓Small classes — about 8 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Illinois average (42% vs 48% meeting standards)

!Graduation rate below the Illinois average (76% vs 89%)

!Dropout rate above the Illinois average (10% vs 3%)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school42%

District avg42%

Illinois avg48%

328^th of 698

Illinois public high schools ?

Top 47%▼ down 15 pts since 2015

From top 32% (2015) to top 47% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Illinois High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

559^th of 811Northwestern CUSD 2 among Illinois districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	51.7	328 of 698	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.9	343 of 697	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.8	335 of 699	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	23.9	535 of 699	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	8.3	667 of 688	3.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	27.7	517 of 701	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	31.4	463 of 647	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	29.3	477 of 642	25.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	52.7	254 of 643	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2015	61.8	199 of 614	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2014	50.3	365 of 670	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	70.7	201 of 670	70.0%	★★★★☆
2012	56.3	330 of 665	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2011	40.1	444 of 655	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2010	79.9	106 of 643	83.5%	★★★★☆
2009	75.2	154 of 632	75.6%	★★★★☆
2008	27.1	497 of 624	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	56.9	294 of 612	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	54.9	313 of 596	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2005	37.4	445 of 590	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	52.3	327 of 592	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2003	70.8	155 of 586	73.5%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	45.1	202 of 491	58.9%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	63.6	221 of 685	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.8	285 of 656	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	8.4	616 of 639	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	42.3	363 of 620	41.5%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2023	56.3	234 of 644	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	43.9	341 of 626	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	12.2	580 of 611	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	46.1	329 of 639	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	8.2	578 of 585	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	39.4	425 of 685	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.3	414 of 668	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	42.0	381 of 668	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	23.2	515 of 664	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	8.6	626 of 653	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	27.7	493 of 675	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	11.0	561 of 619	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	36.9	267 of 527	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	64.9	68 of 374	81.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	34.7	363 of 564	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	28.8	383 of 554	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.5	327 of 557	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	10.3	536 of 560	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	3.7	550 of 553	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	13.5	517 of 552	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	17.0	487 of 548	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Female (2025)68th percentile+15 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2023)64th percentile+12 vs school

Disabled (2025)59th percentile+6 vs school

Special Education (2025)49th percentile-4 vs school

Male (2025)38th percentile-15 vs school

White (2025)36th percentile-17 vs school

By subject vs Illinois (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts50%~ state avg

Mathematics25%-14 vs state

Science25%-24 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Northwestern High School and help other families decide.

Rate Northwestern High School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Northwestern High School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				PreACT Secure English Language Arts (2025)		PreACT Secure Mathematics (2025)		PreACT Secure Science (2025)		ACT English Language Arts (2025)	ACT Mathematics (2025)	ACT Science (2025)	ISA Science (2025)	IAR English Language Arts (2025)				IAR Mathematics (2025)				% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% DTP (2024)	% Meningococcal (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PreACT Secure English Language Arts 9th Grade	PreACT Secure English Language Arts 10th Grade	PreACT Secure Mathematics 9th Grade	PreACT Secure Mathematics 10th Grade	PreACT Secure Science 9th Grade	PreACT Secure Science 10th Grade	ACT English Language Arts 11th Grade	ACT Mathematics 11th Grade	ACT Science 11th Grade	ISA Science 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts All Grades	IAR Mathematics 6th Grade	IAR Mathematics 7th Grade	IAR Mathematics 8th Grade	IAR Mathematics All Grades	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	% DTP All Grades	% Meningococcal All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Northwestern High School	Public	9-12	30889 Route 111	Palmyra	62674	Macoupin County	Northwestern CUSD 2	No	(n/a)	No	No	(217) 436-2011	94	12	7.9	39.4%	91 (96.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.1%)	51.7	328^th of 698 public high schools	53.0%		45.9	343^rd of 697 public high schools	50.8%	15	56.3	62.5	15.6	41.7	40.6	62.5	50.0	25.0	25.0										96.4	96.4	96.4	96.4	96.4	96.4	96.4	94.0	$22,037	$1,663	$20,374
Waverly Junior/Senior High School	Public	7-12	201 N Miller St	Waverly	62692	Morgan County	Waverly CUSD 6	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 435-2211	147	8	17.5	51.0%	132 (89.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	5 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (6.1%)	45.6	389^th of 698 public high schools	44.3%		25.4	508^th of 697 public high schools	27.1%	119	87.5	45.8	37.5	12.5	56.3	25.0	31.3	18.8	37.5	40.9		20.6	27.3	23.2		11.8	9.1	10.7	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	98.4	$16,180	$1,334	$14,846
Franklin Junior/Senior High School	Public	6-12	110 State	Franklin	62638	Morgan County	Franklin CUSD 1	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 675-2395	157	17	9.1	26.1%	155 (98.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.3%)	56.6	277^th of 698 public high schools	60.3%		55.2	258^th of 697 public high schools	63.0%	19	84.2	56.5	21.1	13.0	68.4	43.5	56.5	26.1	39.1	41.2	58.1	75.0	58.8	61.7	29.0	25.0	11.8	23.3	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	92.3	$22,683	$318	$22,365
North Mac High School	Public	9-12	231 W Fortune St	Virden	62690	Macoupin County	North Mac CUSD 34	No	(n/a)	No	No	(217) 965-4127	361	22	16.7	53.2%	339 (93.9%)	3 (0.8%)	8 (2.2%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.5%)	32.5	496^th of 698 public high schools	28.9%		50.2	308^th of 697 public high schools	55.8%	188	54.8	31.6	21.4	12.7	33.3	27.8	42.7	23.6	41.6										100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	99.7	100.0	100.0	98.4	$11,207	$96	$11,111
ROE Safe School Macoupin	Public	6-12	227 E 1St South St	Carlinville	62626	Macoupin County	Calhoun/Greene/Jersy/Macoupin ROE	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(217) 854-4016	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Carlinville High School	Public	9-12	829 W Main St	Carlinville	62626	Macoupin County	Carlinville CUSD 1	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(217) 854-3104	353	33	10.5	40.8%	331 (93.8%)	5 (1.4%)	6 (1.7%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	8 (2.3%)	54.5	306^th of 698 public high schools	56.2%		61.3	215^th of 697 public high schools	69.2%	91	62.4	46.1	34.1	28.9	36.5	50.0	52.3	34.9	45.3										99.2	98.6	98.6	98.6	99.2	98.3	99.2	97.5	$14,851	$644	$14,207
ROE Alternative Edu. Center-Greene	Public	10-12	227 E 1St South St	Carlinville	62626	Greene County	Calhoun/Greene/Jersy/Macoupin ROE	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(217) 854-4016	0	6	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
ROE Safe School Greene	Public	6-12	227 E 1St South St	Carlinville	62626	Greene County	Calhoun/Greene/Jersy/Macoupin ROE	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(217) 854-4016	0	1	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
ROE Safe School Jersey	Public	6-12	227 E 1St South St	Carlinville	62626	Jersey County	Calhoun/Greene/Jersy/Macoupin ROE	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(217) 854-4016	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
ROE Alternative Edu. Center-Macoupin	Public	10-12	227 E 1St South St	Carlinville	62626	Macoupin County	Calhoun/Greene/Jersy/Macoupin ROE	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(217) 854-4016	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Northwestern High School

How many students attend Northwestern High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 94 students attended Northwestern High School.

What is the racial makeup of Northwestern High School?

Students at Northwestern High School are 97% White, 2% Two or more races, 1% Not Specified.

What district is Northwestern High School in?

Northwestern CUSD 2

What schools feed into Northwestern High School?

Northwestern High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Northwestern Elementary School
Middle : Northwestern Junior High School

Is Northwestern High School a good school?

Northwestern High School ranks 328^th of 698 Illinois high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Northwestern High School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

ILIllinois High School Rankings

ILIllinois District Rankings

Schools in Palmyra, IL

Sign up for updates!

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

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