Northwood Middle School

Posted: April 2, 2022

Posted: April 2, 2022

Posted: April 2, 2022

Posted: April 2, 2022

Posted: April 2, 2022

Posted: April 2, 2022

Posted: April 2, 2022

Posted: April 2, 2022

I have had 3 children attend Northwood over the years and I have been very pleased with their experiences there. The staff is amazing and really cares about their students. They have a nice variety of sports and clubs for students to be involved in. The Principal and Vice Principal are caring and yet firm. The music program is amazing here. I would highly recommend this middle school.

Posted: May 1, 2018

Posted: May 1, 2018

Posted: May 1, 2018

Posted: May 1, 2018

Posted: May 1, 2018

Posted: May 1, 2018

Northwood is a great middle school. The staff care, and perhaps most importantly, the principal is well respected, a strong communicator, and leads students and parents well. Ms. Nelson takes any issues that arise very seriously and addresses them quickly. The school is small for a middle school and thus it is very well connected. This school also consistently produces the stronger students who filter into Kentridge High School.

Posted: May 1, 2018

Posted: May 16, 2015

Northwood has an outstanding staff, great students and supportive parents. We believe we are the best middle school in the state. Go Jaguars!!!

Posted: March 18, 2015

Northwood is in a safe location, has a dedicated and professional staff who care, has good test scores, a balanced selection of activities, good patents, and overall pretty good kids.

Posted: August 10, 2014

Excellent teachers and staff! They care about every child! Coaches and athletic program are outstanding!

Posted: June 29, 2014

NW has excellent leadership, not only at the Principal level, but the teachers, staff and students. The communication is great and as a parent, I am confident in what my student learned from her experience at NW and look forward to when my youngest attends the school.

Posted: June 23, 2014

As a parent, I have been very happy with Northwood Middle School, our son was happy here and it felt like a safe place for learning. Our daughter will be there in the not far off future!

Posted: June 20, 2014

My son went to different elementary school so when he came here, he didn't have any friend. He had no trouble making friends and feeling right at home. Teachers are great, too. His 7th grade math teacher in particular, is always eager to help when asked. Looking forward to 8th grade!

Posted: June 19, 2014

Northwood has been an amazing place of both achedemic and social growth for my daughter. She is well prepared for highschool and beyond. The teachers & staff are amazing and caring at NW, all the while expecting exemplary behavior and kindness be the norm. I am excited to send my youngest next year!

Posted: June 19, 2014

Nothwood Middle School and the staff has simply amazed me as I have watched my son through 7th and 8th grade as he has struggled through rumors, friends and grades while these rumors and friendships changed day to day. Everything child faces strategies and very hard times in the transition from elementary school to high school. This is where they learn to become so they are. Nothwood has taught or son to put his knowledge from his brain onto paper. With all the drama from kids who are simply just growing up and learning, to the parents getting involved and causing drama, our son overcame all of that and started listening to the teachers and ended up with some very incredible grades! My husband and I give a huge applause to Northwood Middle School and the staff for constantly being involved in his education and always encouraging him that he was smart and can do it. The teachers, even if they were at home, always were there to answer his emails as soon as they were sent out. What a TEAM! Without the support from Mrs. Nelson, staff and resources at Northwood, we wonder who our son would be today.

Posted: June 19, 2014

Northwood is the best school for my kids. They loved to go everyday. Great leadership, great teachers, great staff. I can see how much my kids enjoying it every single day. They keep saying that two years there were too short...

Posted: June 19, 2014

Words cannot express how amazing this school is. My daughter moved around for much of her younger years thanks to the military and we finally settled here. I was so impressed with the staff. They truly care about their kids. Luckily for me my daughter picked a great crowd to hang out with and all of her friends were so positive and supportive! I did hear tales of a few bad eggs in the student body (drinking, drugs, sex) but any follow up questions I had for my daughter were always answered with the teachers are working with the student, the student is/was suspended/expelled, they gave a talk today about ______________ because of ___________________. Mind you these stories were few and far between but the staff was always a step ahead. My daughter loved going to school every day and really shined!

Posted: June 18, 2014

This school is open and accepting of many different types of individuals and learning styles. This faculty assists students to be successful learners in a positive environment. The course work assigned is level appropriate and still challenges students to think and grow to meet expectations. We look forward to sending our younger student to middle school at Northwood.

Posted: June 18, 2014

I wouldn't have picked a better school for my children. All of the staff show concern towards the students and take an interest in their progress. From calling to emailing when the my children have done an exceptional job. Kids need to know someone is on their corner and Mrs Nelson and Mr Smith emphasize this daily. I was trying to rate the principle leadership and parent involvement as 5 stars but it would only let me click 4.

Posted: June 18, 2014

I am consistently impressed with level of communication and teacher involvement Northwood offers. Both of our kids have had positive middle school experiences, and have been very well prepared for their high school careers.

Posted: June 18, 2014

Wonderful experience here. My son went to a different elementary school than most of the other students, but he has transitioned well. He has friends and enjoys his classes.

Posted: June 18, 2014

Had a positive experience with Mrs. Nelson. Great after-school clubs but would appreciate more no-cut sport opportunities as the sports teams are competitive already. Would like more guidance for 7th graders regarding study and organizational skills and stricter discipline in regards to cell phone and computer use during class.

Posted: June 18, 2014

Great school and staff! The teachers got the kids very well prepared for high school.

Posted: March 23, 2014

Really good sports teams. Teachers used to teach at high school so they know how to prepare students fro high school.

Posted: September 28, 2013

This school is the best nice student good teachers your own laptop to use home/school pe amazing

Posted: August 20, 2013

I was a 8th grade student, and let me say this school totally ruined my confidence. First off, NONE of the teachers really are truely helpful. If you ask for help and you don't understand, they totally get annoyed with you and send you away. mrs. Munch is the WORST. She would embarass me and other students about everything. i have really messed up hair and i get made fun of for it, so i brush it right after lunch as i was walking in class BEFORE IT STARTED. She always would say "its not a beauty parlor. Put your brush away."infront of everyone. People would bully me, teachers heard and did NOTHING. I was a new student and i was made fun of, rumors were spread about me calling people this and that, even this girl went up to me, called me ugly, and told me if i ever talked about her she would beat the s*** out of me. I never did anything to her. I had gone to mrs. nelson for many things, SHE DID NOTHING. Its really hard feeling so unsafe here. I had a self harm problem, students were making fun of me for it. Like half of the school smokes and drink while the other half are a bunch of rich snobs. You cannot have ANY FORM of originallity here, you are judged.

Posted: July 6, 2013

I have one daughter who is an 8th grader at NW, and a son who went there, but is now a sophomore at Kentridge. It's a great school, that starts with great leadership. Ms. Nelson will go out of her way to accommodate anyone, but is also firm and fair with staff, parents and students. Every school needs a LEADER like her. I am not aware of any bad teachers, and I know many who are truly outstanding. I would like to see more rigor in the honors program and see it expanded to include science to better prepare the kids for high school. Both my studious and non studious kids found 7th grade too easy. My son found more challenge in 8th grade, but never had to work hard enough to prepare him for what he encountered in high school. For my daughter's 8th grade year, I'll try to work more with the teachers to see if they can provide extra challenges if she also finds it too easy. I've always had a great response whenever I've communicated any concerns to the teachers at NW. Most teachers maintain up to date web sites so kids and parents can check what is going on and what is due. That's very helpful. School communication to home is very good.

Posted: June 24, 2013

Both of my kids, Michael and Marie Gonzales, have had great experiences at Northwood. Great foundation for their future.

Posted: June 24, 2013

This school offers a lot of opportunity for academic growth. There are still some soft points as in the woodshop class but the opportunity for excellence is apparent in most classes.

Posted: June 24, 2013

Northwood Middle School is a good school. It is diverse and accommodating, which results in exposure to different people, cultures and situations that sometimes need to be managed a bit better. The principal is very involved and accessible, and teachers are tough but usually fair. I've always felt comfortable if I need to address something.

Posted: June 23, 2013

Great schools start at the TOP. Coleen Nelson is respected by her staff, parents and students. This is the school that every teacher should want to work at. What an amazing group of people. I have had 2 students go through Northwood. My first improved immensely over the 2 years he spent there. My 2nd child learned leadership, courage and friendship. I couldn't have asked for a better middle school experience.

Posted: June 23, 2013

Northwood is a fine school if you kid gets good grades and communicates well with the staff. I've had two kids through the system. Both kids got excellent grades, but only my first kid who communicated well with the staff received any support from the teachers. I was shocked when Mrs. Abrams was named regional teacher of the year. She is a fine teacher, but not even in my top ten of best teachers in KSD. My kid had her this year, asked for support - but Abrams never had time. If your kids does well in school, but is shy around their teachers - then I suggest finding a different school if you expect the teachers to help bring them to the next level.

Posted: June 23, 2013

Our 8th grader just finished his final year at Northwood and we couldn't be happier with his progress and feel he is prepared for high school. The teachers and administrative staff were very responsive to our concerns and attentive to our student's needs. Our student thoroughly enjoyed his two years at Northwood. Kudos to the students and staff at Northwood for an excellent year!

Posted: June 23, 2013

Northwood is a great school with plenty of opportunity for those who chose to utilize them. The staff is great and this school has some really great teachers who have the ability to inspire. My son was failing the first 1/2 of the year due to lack of motivation and no matter what I said or did it did not change, he just didn't care. However all it tool is the interest of his teachers to build him up and inspire him to work harder and he did! Completing the 2nd 1/2 of the year with A's and B's in his honors classes. Also many programs are offered at this school that are not at others, so i say again this is a great school and I am thankful my son had the opportunity to go here and prepare him for high school.

Posted: June 23, 2013

My child's school is Northwood and I was very pleased with his first year of being in middle school. The teachers are excellent and the principals do a great child in maintaining a very well disciplined school.

Posted: June 23, 2013

The staff at Northwood is simply incredible. I honestly couldn't be happier with the level of communication I receive from the staff. I am looking forward to next year already!

Posted: June 23, 2013

I have a child going into 8th grade at NWMS and have been thrilled with the experience. Our teachers were motivated, creative and very responsive on email. Some proactively kept us updated on progress. The principal and asst principal are involved, tough but fair, just as they should be at a middle school. I feel like our child will be well prepared for high school leaving NWMS.

Posted: June 23, 2013

Our first year at Northwood could not have been a more positive experience. The tone is set by Northwood's principal, Mrs. Nelson, who has developed an environment where education, discipline, accountability and respect are top priorities. Our son, who struggled at the elementary level, worked hard and finished the year at Northwood as a National Jr. Honor Student thanks to the dedication and devotion of the teachers and staff. Wonderful School!!!

Posted: June 23, 2013

Northwood Middle School has been nothing but outstanding in the two years that my kids have attended. The tone is set at the top by Mrs. Nelson and all I have heard from other parents over the years is what a positive experience it as been and how well prepared their kids were for the step into high school. I simply cannot give a higher recommendation!

Posted: June 23, 2013

Love this school! l guess I need at least 15 words to post this, and now I have more than that! :)

Posted: June 23, 2013

Northwood is a excellent school with staff that are interested in helping their students succeed. There are opportunities for any interest- athletics, student leadership, service, inter-mural activities, drama, and the arts. Both of our children have had great experiences there and have found the staff to be supportive, engaging and excellent teachers. I appreciate the high standards expected by the principal and staff for academics and behavior. Our time there was too short!!

Posted: June 23, 2013

I was very impressed by the Staff at Northwood -- they were very responsive and caring to any issue raised by me or my son. I can't think of anything negative to say about the school. I just hope Kentridge will be just as positive of an experience as Northwood.

Posted: June 23, 2013

Northwood was a great school for our son. Several teachers went far above and beyond the call of duty to help him succeed. Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Smith do a great job leading a great school!

Posted: June 23, 2013

No support from teachers. Teachers grading systems are inconsistent. Students do not receive refreshers for MSP testing.

Posted: September 2, 2011

I currently have an eight grade student at NW and our experience has been terrific. The staff and principal make certain the kids are engaging in age appropriate activities and attitudes and the expectations are very high. This is a technologically savvy school and most teachers have websites and respond quickly to email inquiries. My son had a great 7th grade year and is looking foward to the rest of this year. I feel confident that NW will prepare him well for high school.

Posted: October 24, 2010

9 out of 10 from Great Schools? I don't know what school they are rating, but it certainly isn't the one my child is currently attending. The communication and follow up from this school are disastrous. If I did things the way half of my child's teachers do I wouldn't have a job. I will be taking my child out of this school as soon as I am able. This school is a prime example of what is wrong with public schools in this country. Northwood Junior High makes a compelling case for voucher schools and online educations.

Posted: October 4, 2010

This school is absolutely HORRIBLE unless your child fits in the neat little box they have defined. The leadership is uninformative, unknowledgeable, and highly unprofessional. I also witnessed first hand what I would consider a very unethical approach to an easily solved problem. I am going far above the heads of anyone associated with a position of power at this school and hope to see some positive results. EVERYONE's children deserve better then what this school is offering, whether they fit in the "Northwood Box" or not!

Posted: September 14, 2010

My daughter attended Northwood last year as a 7th grader and is attending there this year as an 8th grader. She is a cheerleader and on their varsity gymnastics team. She's always been a bright kid but has really blossomed at this school...Teachers and principle run this school like its private (disciplined) and give great feedback to the parents (clear expectations and results). I couldnt be any happier! It has exceeded my expectations.

Posted: June 14, 2010

I'm very suprised to see the rating by great schools having put my 2 kids through this school. I would say if your kids are middle of the road or above average this may be a good place. But, for special education and kids that need accomodations it is the WORST. Also this school can be a problem for gifted kids. Communication with parents is poor. Seems like the worst school as far as theft, I'm not sure why but much worse that KM high School. But the math teachers and some english teachers are exceptional. Not my favorite school and adminstration by any means.

Posted: November 12, 2008