Average
#777 of 1,284 schools in KY
Southern Elementary School
Elementary School · Pulaski County
198 Enterprise Drive, Somerset, KY 42501
Enrollment
646
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
646
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Somerset
#11 of 14
public schools
Kentucky elementary schools
#434 of 708
In district
#9 of 14
Pulaski County
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Elementary School
Southern Elementary School serves 646 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Somerset, Kentucky. With 48 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking as the 103rd best elementary school out of 1,288 schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile.
Students show solid achievement with 52% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 53% reach proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. Southern Elementary sits in the heart of Somerset, a community where the median household income is $47,279 and median home values average $117,700. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a working-class character, with 17% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 23.2% among the ZIP code's 17,080 residents.
As a regular public school, Southern Elementary provides a comprehensive elementary education in Pulaski County's remote town setting, serving families across this close-knit Appalachian community where neighbors know each other and students benefit from the stability of small-town life.
Score Breakdown
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Southern Elementary School — Students at Southern Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.3/10.
How Southern Elementary School Compares
See how Southern Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 53% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
198 Enterprise Drive, Somerset, KY 42501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hopkins Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pulaski Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northern Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 10.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Somerset, see our Somerset schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Middle School Somerset | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| SOMERSET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Somerset | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Southwestern High School Somerset | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Oak Hill Elementary School Somerset | 2.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Burnside Elementary School Burnside | 3.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Memorial Education Center Somerset | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Eagle Academy Somerset | 3.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Somerset High School Somerset | 4.2 mi | 7.1 |
| CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF RESTON Somerset | 4.3 mi | — |
| SALINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Somerset | 4.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Hopkins Elementary School Somerset | 4.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Meece Middle School Somerset | 4.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Pulaski Elementary School Somerset | 4.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Pulaski County High School Somerset | 4.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Northern Middle School Somerset | 5.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Nancy Elementary School Nancy | 7.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Science Hill Elementary School Science Hill | 9.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Northern Elementary School Somerset | 10.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Shopville Elementary School Somerset | 11.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Eubank Elementary School Eubank | 16.6 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 42501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,449
Median Home Value
$131,400
Median Rent
$808/mo
Population
17,441
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Median Age
41
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Elementary School has a median household income of $49,449. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $131,400, with a median rent of $808/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Belfry Elementary Belfry, KY | 5.9 |
| Crofton Elementary School Crofton, KY | 5.9 |
| Jody Richards Elementary Bowling Green, KY | 5.9 |
| Mill Creek Elementary Louisville, KY | 5.9 |
| Millard School Pikeville, KY | 5.9 |
| Munfordville Elementary School Munfordville, KY | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Elementary School
What grades does Southern Elementary School serve?
Southern Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Southern Elementary School?
Southern Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 646 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary School is 13.5:1. 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 is ranked #777 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Southern Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Southern Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Elementary School has 57.0% math proficiency and 57.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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?
76.6% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,350/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Somerset). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 646
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Pulaski County
- Phone
- (606) 678-5229
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pulaski County- District Enrollment
- 7,840
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,724
- District Rank
- #9 of 14
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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