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Very Good

#1009 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 26% in state

Southwest Elem School

Elementary School · Geneseo CUSD 228

715 S Center St, Geneseo, IL 61254

Enrollment

360

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Geneseo

#3 of 5

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#643 of 2,326

In district

#3 of 5

Geneseo CUSD 228

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Southwest Elem School

Southwest Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Geneseo, Illinois, on the edge of an urban area. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 360 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. Southwest Elem School has 25 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to educating its diverse group of young learners.

According to MySchoolScout, the school ranks at #1394 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it around the 64th percentile. Its academic score is 6.8 out of 10, with 30% proficiency or above in both ELA/Reading and Math across all grades. While there is room for improvement in test scores, Southwest Elem School focuses on nurturing each student’s development and growth.

Southwest Elem School sits in a town setting that offers students access to small-town charm while still being close enough to urban amenities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,659

Southwest Elem School — Students at Southwest Elem School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
ELA
32%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Southwest Elem School Compares

See how Southwest Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
74th percentile in IL
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

715 S Center St, Geneseo, IL 61254

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwest Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cambridge Comm Grade School (rated 8.9/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Cambridge), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Ridge School (rated 8.1/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Silvis), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Millikin Elem School (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Geneseo, see our Geneseo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Millikin Elem School Geneseo 0.7 mi 7.8
Northside Elem School Geneseo 0.9 mi 6.9
Geneseo High School Geneseo 1.3 mi 7.5
Geneseo Middle School Geneseo 1.4 mi 3.8
ST MALACHY Geneseo 1.4 mi 5.3
Cambridge Jr/Sr High School Cambridge 10.3 mi 7.6
Cambridge Comm Grade School Cambridge 10.4 mi 8.9
Colona Grade School Colona 10.5 mi 5.6
Riverdale Elem School Port Byron 13.0 mi 3.6
Riverdale Sr High School Port Byron 13.2 mi 5.9
Riverdale Middle School Port Byron 13.5 mi 7.5
Erie Middle School Erie 14.8 mi 7.2
Erie Elem School Erie 15.0 mi 5.5
Erie High School Erie 15.0 mi 7.6
Orion High School Orion 12.4 mi 5.9
Orion Middle School Orion 12.9 mi 6.8
C R Hanna Elem School Orion 12.9 mi 7.3
Eagle Ridge School Silvis 13.0 mi 8.1
Northeast Jr High School East Moline 13.4 mi 6.5
Bridgeview Elementary School Leclaire 14.6 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61254 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,141

Median Home Value

$217,700

Median Rent

$951/mo

Population

12,049

College Educated

36.6%

Homeownership

82%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southwest Elem School has a median household income of $81,141. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,700, with a median rent of $951/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Alice Gustafson Elem School Batavia, IL 7.2
Arbor Elementary School Oak Forest, IL 7.2
Ardmore Elem School Villa Park, IL 7.2
Arnold J Tyler School New Lenox, IL 7.2
Broadmeadow Elem School Rantoul, IL 7.2
Carrier Mills-Stonefort Elem Sch Carrier Mills, IL 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwest Elem School

What grades does Southwest Elem School serve?

Southwest Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Southwest Elem School?

Southwest Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 360 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Elem School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwest Elem School rank in IL?

Southwest Elem School is ranked #1009 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Southwest Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Elem School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Elem School has 29.5% math proficiency and 30.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southwest Elem School a charter school?

No, Southwest Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southwest Elem School a Title I school?

No, Southwest Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Elem School?

39.7% of students at Southwest Elem 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (951/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Geneseo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Henry County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Geneseo CUSD 228
District Enrollment
2,445
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,239
District Rank
#3 of 5

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.

Read our full methodology

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