Excellent
#252 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 14% in state
South Elementary
Elementary School · Plymouth
178 Bourne Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360
Enrollment
628
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
628
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plymouth
#4 of 15
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#155 of 1,022
In district
#4 of 13
Plymouth
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About South Elementary
South Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 628 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. With 50 full-time equivalent teachers, South Elementary is well-staffed to support its diverse learning needs.
The academic performance at South Elementary shows room for improvement, with MySchoolScout ranking the school at 6.2 out of 10 and placing it in the 62nd percentile among Massachusetts schools. The state rankings indicate that while there are areas for growth, particularly in ELA/Reading (46% proficiency), Math (42% proficiency), and Science (42% proficiency), South Elementary is committed to enhancing its educational programs. South Elementary is situated in a rural area near the town of Plymouth, providing students with a peaceful setting conducive to learning.
The school community focuses on fostering a supportive environment where each child can thrive academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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South Elementary — Students at South Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 60 test records from MA 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: 9.3/10.
How South Elementary Compares
See how South Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 44% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 44% (2022).
Location
178 Bourne Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Federal Furnace School (rated 8.6/10, 6.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Nathaniel Morton Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 8.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bournedale Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Bournedale), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Plymouth, see our Plymouth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THE COVE SCHOOL Plymouth | 1.6 mi | — |
| Plymouth South High Plymouth | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Plymouth South Middle Plymouth | 3.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Bournedale Elementary School Bournedale | 5.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Indian Brook Plymouth | 4.9 mi | 6.0 |
| BRIDGEVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Sagamore | 5.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Upper Cape Cod Vocational Technical Bourne | 6.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Bourne Intermediate School Bourne | 6.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Bourne High School Bourne | 6.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Manomet Elementary Plymouth | 6.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Bourne Middle School Bourne | 6.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Plymouth Early Childhood Center Plymouth | 6.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Plymouth Commun Intermediate Plymouth | 6.6 mi | 6.1 |
| CHRISTOPHER DONOVAN DAY SCHOOL- INC Onset | 6.9 mi | — |
| WALDORF SCHOOL OF CAPE COD Sandwich | 6.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Wareham Elementary School Wareham | 7.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Plymouth North High Plymouth | 7.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Federal Furnace School Plymouth | 6.7 mi | 8.6 |
| WOODSIDE SCHOOL & COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER Plymouth | 7.1 mi | — |
| Nathaniel Morton Elementary Plymouth | 8.6 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,975
Median Home Value
$494,700
Median Rent
$1,831/mo
Population
62,405
College Educated
45.2%
Homeownership
79.8%
Avg Commute
30.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Median Age
47.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Elementary has a median household income of $111,975. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $494,700, with a median rent of $1,831/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Bournedale Elementary School Bournedale, MA | 8.0 |
| Collicot Milton, MA | 8.0 |
| E N White Elementary Holyoke, MA | 8.0 |
| Elm Street School Walpole, MA | 8.0 |
| L D Batchelder North Reading, MA | 8.0 |
| Bennett-Hemenway Natick, MA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Elementary
What grades does South Elementary serve?
South Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend South Elementary?
South Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 628 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Elementary is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Elementary rank in MA?
South Elementary is ranked #252 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is South Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Elementary 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 South Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Elementary has 45.0% math proficiency and 48.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Elementary a charter school?
No, South Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Plymouth). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 628
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Plymouth County
- Phone
- (508) 830-4390
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Plymouth- District Enrollment
- 7,055
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,402
- District Rank
- #4 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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