Excellent
#555 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 15% in state
Southwest Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
2650 SOUTHWEST AVE, Lakeland, FL 33803
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakeland
#7 of 58
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#512 of 2,196
In district
#13 of 155
POLK
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwest Elementary School
Southwest Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, Florida, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of about 380 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child succeed. The faculty consists of 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their young learners.
Academically, Southwest Elementary has a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks 1376th among Florida's schools, placing it in the 64th percentile overall. Students perform above average in math, with 60% reaching proficiency or higher, while 44% are proficient or better in ELA/Reading. The school is situated in a mid-size city setting within Polk County.
While there isn't specific neighborhood data available for Lakeland’s zip code 33803, Southwest Elementary School provides a supportive and nurturing environment for its students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Southwest Elementary School — Students at Southwest Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.
How Southwest Elementary School Compares
See how Southwest Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
2650 SOUTHWEST AVE, Lakeland, FL 33803
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CLEVELAND COURT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, DIXIELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THE CYGNET SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.3 mi | 5.1 |
| CLEVELAND COURT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| WONDERHERE ACADEMY Lakeland | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| DIXIELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| LAKELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| ROSABELLE W. BLAKE ACADEMY Lakeland | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY Lakeland | 1.7 mi | 8.3 |
| ROBERTS ACADEMY AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE Lakeland | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| POLK VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Lakeland | 1.8 mi | — |
| POLK FULL TIME ESCHOOL Lakeland | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| GENEVA CLASSICAL ACADEMY Lakeland | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| LAKELAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| PREPARING THE WAY ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.0 mi | — |
| POLK PRE-COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| PHILIP O'BRIEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| LAWTON CHILES MIDDLE ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,180
Median Home Value
$236,200
Median Rent
$1,337/mo
Population
29,058
College Educated
33.8%
Homeownership
62.2%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Elementary School has a median household income of $63,180. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,200, with a median rent of $1,337/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. GARY WALSINGHAM ACADEMY Panama City Beach, FL | 8.0 |
| ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Atlantic Beach, FL | 8.0 |
| BENNETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale, FL | 8.0 |
| BENT TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami, FL | 8.0 |
| BROOKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 8.0 |
| CHILDREN S RAINBOW DAY SCHOOL Miami, FL | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Elementary School
What grades does Southwest Elementary School serve?
Southwest Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Southwest Elementary School?
Southwest Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 380 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Elementary School rank in FL?
Southwest Elementary School is ranked #555 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Southwest Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Southwest Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Elementary School has 60.2% math proficiency and 43.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwest Elementary School a charter school?
No, Southwest Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Southwest Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Elementary School?
75.8% of students at Southwest Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 380
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 499-2830
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #13 of 155
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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