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Below Average

#2038 of 2,216 schools in MO

Southland Elem.

Elementary School · SOUTHLAND C-9

500 S MAIN, Cardwell, MO 63829

Enrollment

139

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cardwell

#2 of 2

public schools

Missouri elementary schools

#1,087 of 1,202

In district

#2 of 2

SOUTHLAND C-9

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Southland Elem.

Southland Elem, located in Cardwell, Missouri, is a rural elementary school serving students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 139 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, the small class sizes allow for personalized attention and support. The school has ten full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a nurturing learning environment.

Southland Elem's academic performance is currently focused on development with room for growth. According to MySchoolScout ratings, Southland Elem ranks at the 6th percentile among Missouri schools, scoring 3.1 out of 10 overall and 1.7 in academic performance metrics. In reading and math proficiency tests, only around 16% of students are meeting or exceeding state standards.

Despite these challenges, Southland Elem remains committed to providing a supportive educational experience for its rural community. The school is nestled in a close-knit area where teachers and families work together to help each student reach their full potential.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 139 students, Southland Elem. is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Southland Elem. 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,725

Southland Elem. — Students at Southland Elem. score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
15%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Southland Elem. Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in MO
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

500 S MAIN, Cardwell, MO 63829

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southland Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BUFFALO ISLAND CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Leachville), which scores notably higher. Another option is SENATH-HORNERSVILLE ELEM SCH (rated 8.0/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Senath), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MARMADUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Marmaduke), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cardwell, see our Cardwell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.4 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTHLAND HIGH Cardwell 0.0 mi 6.6
BUFFALO ISLAND CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Leachville 8.3 mi 8.3
SENATH-HORNERSVILLE ELEM SCH Senath 9.2 mi 8.0
SENATH-HORNERSVILLE HIGH SCHOO Senath 9.3 mi 7.9
BUFFALO ISLAND CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Monette 11.2 mi 6.5
SENATH-HORNERSVILLE MIDDLE SCH Hornersville 9.8 mi 6.9
MARMADUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Marmaduke 11.8 mi 7.7
MARMADUKE HIGH SCHOOL Marmaduke 11.8 mi 6.5
ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL Paragould 11.0 mi 5.9
BALDWIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Paragould 11.3 mi 3.7
WOODROW WILSON ELEM. SCHOOL Paragould 11.5 mi 7.7
MANILA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Manila 13.6 mi 3.1
MANILA HIGH SCHOOL Manila 13.7 mi 6.8
PARAGOULD PRIMARY SCHOOL Paragould 12.1 mi 6.0
PARAGOULD HIGH SCHOOL Paragould 12.1 mi 7.5
PARAGOULD JUNIOR HIGH Paragould 12.2 mi 5.5
RECTOR HIGH SCHOOL Rector 15.2 mi 7.7
RECTOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rector 15.2 mi 3.8
OAK GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Paragould 13.3 mi 6.0
OAK GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Paragould 13.4 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 63829 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$23,854

Median Home Value

$58,100

Median Rent

$765/mo

Population

1,082

College Educated

9.7%

Homeownership

51.6%

Avg Commute

16.9 min

Poverty Rate

49.1%

Median Age

24.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southland Elem. has a median household income of $23,854. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $58,100, with a median rent of $765/month. The area has a poverty rate of 49.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Hannibal, MO 4.2
VERONA ELEM. Verona, MO 4.2
ROSS ELEM. Wardell, MO 4.3
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Town And Country, MO 4.1
FRANKFORD ELEM. Frankford, MO 4.1
HELENA ELEM. Helena, MO 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southland Elem.

What grades does Southland Elem. serve?

Southland Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Southland Elem.?

Southland Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 139 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southland Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Southland Elem. 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 Southland Elem. rank in MO?

Southland Elem. is ranked #2038 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Southland Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Southland Elem. has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Southland Elem.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southland Elem. has 15.7% math proficiency and 15.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southland Elem. a charter school?

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

Is Southland Elem. a Title I school?

No, Southland Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southland Elem.?

100.0% of students at Southland Elem. 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

County Safety
Average (471/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dunklin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOUTHLAND C-9
District Enrollment
242
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,289
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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