Northwestern Community Unit School District No. 2, consisting of 140 square miles, was formed in 1949 when the individual schools of Hettick, Modesto, Palmyra, and Scottville were consolidated creating the unit school. Northwestern got its name because the area is located in the northwestern part of Macoupin County.

For many years each town housed various grades from the unit and most recently, elementary schools were housed in the each village and the high school students attended in Palmyra. In 1958 the first senior class graduated from the newly built high school, located north of Palmyra. This building housed grades seven through twelve. A consolidated elementary school, housing grades kindergarten through grade six, was completed in 1972 further north of the high school. Recently, Pre-Kindergarten classes have been added.

The traditional subjects are available, along with art, music, and physical education. In addition, a media center is housed in each building. Special services for Gifted, Speech, Title I reading, and students with specific learning needs are offered. Band is available for all fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students. Both band and chorus are offered to the junior high and high school students.