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Average

#629 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 49% in state

Southern Elementary School

Elementary School · Ohio County

3836 Hwy 231 S, Beaver Dam, KY 42320

Enrollment

278

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#629 of 1,284

In Beaver Dam

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#5 of 8

Ohio County

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Southern Elementary School

6.3/10

Elementary School in Beaver Dam · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Beaver Dam Elementary School

5.9/10

5.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Ohio County Middle School

6.1/10

6.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Southern Elementary School

Southern Elementary School is a public elementary school in Beaver Dam, KY, part of Ohio County. Southern Elementary School serves approximately 278 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #629 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Southern Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.5% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+14.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,933
Chronic Absenteeism23%

Southern Elementary School — Students at Southern Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 37 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
55%
ELA
58.5%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Southern Elementary School Compares

See how Southern Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
51th percentile in KY
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3836 Hwy 231 S, Beaver Dam, KY 42320

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fordsville Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Fordsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Horse Branch Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Horse Branch), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Western Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Centertown), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Beaver Dam, see our Beaver Dam schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Beaver Dam Elementary School Beaver Dam 5.5 mi 5.9
Ohio County Middle School Hartford 6.4 mi 6.1
Ohio County High School Hartford 6.5 mi 6.9
Wayland Alexander Elementary School Hartford 8.2 mi 6.0
Ohio County Alternative Learning Program Hartford 8.1 mi
Ohio County Day Treatment Hartford 8.1 mi
Western Elementary School Centertown 8.8 mi 7.2
Butler County Learning Center Morgantown 11.2 mi
Horse Branch Elementary School Horse Branch 10.9 mi 7.3
Butler County Middle School Morgantown 11.1 mi 6.0
Morgantown Elementary School Morgantown 11.2 mi 6.0
Butler County High School Morgantown 11.9 mi 5.8
BELMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Morgantown 11.4 mi 6.3
North Butler Elementary Morgantown 13.3 mi 5.0
Muhlenberg South Elementary Beechmont 16.3 mi 3.0
Fordsville Elementary School Fordsville 20.6 mi 7.9
Central City Elementary Central City 17.1 mi 4.5
ST MARY OF THE WOODS SCHOOL Whitesville 23.1 mi 5.5
TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL Whitesville 23.1 mi 6.4
Whitesville Elementary School Whitesville 23.2 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 42320 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,777

Median Home Value

$115,100

Median Rent

$805/mo

Population

8,630

College Educated

13.7%

Homeownership

74.8%

Avg Commute

28.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.9%

Median Age

38.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ekron Elementary School Ekron, KY 6.3
Irvington Elementary School Irvington, KY 6.3
Oakview Elementary School Ashland, KY 6.3
ST ALOYSIUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pewee Valley, KY 6.3
ST HENRY SCHOOL Elsmere, KY 6.3
Clay Elementary School Clay, KY 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Elementary School

What grades does Southern Elementary School serve?

Southern Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Southern Elementary School?

Southern Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 278 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Elementary School rank in KY?

Southern Elementary School ranks #629 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Southern Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Southern Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Southern Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Southern Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Southern Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Elementary School?

64.0% of students at Southern 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Ohio County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.0%

District

Ohio County
District Enrollment
3,869
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,933
District Rank
#5 of 8

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