The first schoolhouse was built because of Ann North less than a year after the town was founded. In 1910, a new high school was built for $90,000. This building was located right next to downtown Northfield. At the time it was considered the ideal school building. An auditorium was added in 1936, as well as an east wing/gymnasium in 1954. Even with the addition of the east wing, the population grew so large that the spacethe school could provide was not enough. To cope with space issues the high school was moved to its current location in 1966. The old high school building became the Northfield Middle School, until the middle school was moved next to the high school in 2004. The old middle school building is currently The Weitz Center for Creativity belonging to Carleton College.
Academics
At Northfield High School, students attend seven class periods on a two semester schedule. Students are required to have a minimum of 23 credits to graduate. Some courses such as English, Social Studies, Science, and Math are required. Students also need Physical Education, Art, and Health. There are also many electives a student can choose from ranging in a variety of topics from Child Care and Development, to Business, to Auto Shop classes.
Advanced Coursework
Northfield High school offers sixteen Advanced Placement classes, and eleven Honors/Advanced Courses. Students have the choice of taking Advanced courses in many areas, such areas are History, Math, Science, and Art.
LINK Program
Northfield High School has a Link Crew transition program, which strives to welcome the freshman class on the first day of school as well as continue to support them throughout their first year of high school. Link leaders are a group of Juniors and Seniors who apply for this position. Of the ones that are selected they undergo a vigorous training session, and are then assigned to a small group of incoming freshman students. They are with this same group of freshman for the entire school year. They meet with their group periodically throughout the year and also have a few different events that take place outside of the school day. The goal of Link Crew is to help students achieve academic success and to make personal connections with them.
Students whose primary language is not English are eligible for individualized instructional services. To be able to qualify for these services the student's parent or guardian has to indicate that the student's first language learned was a language other than English, the student must also score as having limited English proficiency on nationally normed assessments of their English skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Extracurricular activities
Athletics
There are many different sports teams to choose from. The sports are offered in three different seasons Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Spring Sports include baseball, softball, track, boys' tennis, and boys' and girls' golf and boys' and girls' lacrosse.
Music
Northfield High School offers band, choir, orchestra, and Jazz Band.
Drama
Northfield High School has an excellent drama department, every year there is a Fall play, a Spring play, and a One Acts festival. Every other year the fall play is a musical.
