[7] The school's building was designed by local architects Schaefer & Associates PA.[8] The school building features a commons area, which includes a student activity center, a dining facility, a study area, and an informal social gathering place.

Surrounding the central commons are administrative offices, instructional areas, student lockers, and food service.

The physical education complex, located at the terminus of one of the wings (referred to as "halls,") consists of a large multipurpose gymnasium with bleacher seating for 2,900 and a six-lane swimming pool short-course competition swimming pool with retractable bleachers for 400 spectators.

Northwest received multiple updates per a 2008 bond issue, such as: new tennis courts (completed 2010), new astroturf football field (completed 2009), new bleachers, permanent concessions stands and locker rooms in the football stadium, new physical education classroom (previously wrestling room), new wrestling room and weights room (previously north 1/3 of gym), new gymnasium (south of current gym; on current baseball field), as well as a new business department and more classrooms.

[9] Wichita Northwest is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) and competes in the 6A division.