In the early 1990's, the NWPMSA began as a Middle Level Learner Committee at Edinboro University with the primary goal of promoting middle level education by making a connection with educators of young adolescent students in the region thereby strengthening the middle level community in Northwest Pennsylvania.

In May of 1997, the committee became a region of the Pennsylvania Middle School Association (PMSA) and an affiliate of National Middle School Association (NMSA). Thus, was born the Northwest Region of Pennsylvania Middle School Association.

Today, NWPMSA works to promote best practices in middle level education within the Northwest Region of Pennsylvania which include: Cameron, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Venango and Warren Counties. This is accomplished through annual spring conferences, parent nights, workshops and other promotional efforts. Many of the conferences and workshops are conducted by middle level educators in the region. At other times, community professionals provide information on a variety of topics in line with the characteristics of the middle level philosophy. These sessions impart noteworthy information to the region's educators as well as parents.