Average
#1751 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 46% in state
Southwest Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
2650 SOUTHWEST AVE, Lakeland, FL 33803
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#1,751 of 3,778
In Lakeland
#22 of 58
public schools
In district
#46 of 155
POLK
Equity
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Southwest Elementary School
Elementary School in Lakeland · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
The Cygnet School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Southwest Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest Elementary School
Southwest Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, FL, part of POLK. Southwest Elementary School serves approximately 380 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,751 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Southwest Elementary School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 6.2
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
36% of students at Southwest Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwest Elementary School — Students at Southwest Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
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 33 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: 5.4/10.
How Southwest Elementary School Compares
See how Southwest Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 3.3 |
| CLEVELAND COURT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.4 mi | 9.1 |
| WONDERHERE ACADEMY Lakeland | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| DIXIELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.8 mi | 4.1 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| ROSABELLE W. BLAKE ACADEMY Lakeland | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY Lakeland | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| GENEVA CLASSICAL ACADEMY Lakeland | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| LAKELAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| PREPARING THE WAY ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.0 mi | — |
| POLK PRE-COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| PHILIP O'BRIEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.1 mi | 2.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AUDUBON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Merritt Island, FL | 6.5 |
| CORAL COVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miramar, FL | 6.5 |
| EDISON PARK CREATIVE AND EXPRESSIVE ARTS SCHOOL Fort Myers, FL | 6.5 |
| FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg, FL | 6.5 |
| KIDS KINGDOM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Orlando, FL | 6.5 |
| LEARNING LODGE ACADEMY New Port Richey, FL | 6.5 |
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 ranks #1,751 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Southwest Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Southwest Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Elementary School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.1%
- Phone
- (863) 499-2830
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #46 of 155
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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