Excellent
#274 of 2,216 schools in MO
Top 12% in state
Southwest Elem.
Elementary School · LAWSON R-XIV
PO BOX 157, Lawson, MO 64062
Enrollment
393
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
393
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lawson
#1 of 4
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#182 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 3
LAWSON R-XIV
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwest Elem.
Southwest Elem is a charming rural elementary school located in Lawson, Missouri. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 393 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. Southwest Elem focuses on providing a nurturing environment for young learners, with academic performance indicating areas where growth is possible.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.5 out of 10, and it ranks at number 589 among Missouri's 2234 schools in terms of state ranking, placing it around the 74th percentile. In reading and ELA, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 54% meet proficiency standards. Southwest Elem is situated in a close-knit rural community where neighbors often know each other well, fostering a supportive atmosphere for families and children alike.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southwest 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
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Southwest Elem. — Students at Southwest Elem. score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Southwest Elem. Compares
See how Southwest Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 157, Lawson, MO 64062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LEWIS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.2/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Excelsior Springs), with a comparable rating. Another option is Lathrop Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Lathrop), a more accessible option. Additionally, CORNERSTONE ELEMENTARY (rated 6.6/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Excelsior Springs), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lawson, see our Lawson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LAWSON HIGH Lawson | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| LAWSON MIDDLE Lawson | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| WATKINS MILL PARK CAMP Lawson | 3.8 mi | 7.8 |
| LEWIS ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs | 6.2 mi | 7.2 |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS EAR CHLD CTR Excelsior Springs | 6.2 mi | — |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS HIGH Excelsior Springs | 6.2 mi | 5.0 |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS MIDDLE Excelsior Springs | 6.3 mi | 5.5 |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS TECH. HIGH Excelsior Springs | 6.8 mi | 6.2 |
| CORNERSTONE ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs | 6.6 mi | 6.6 |
| ELKHORN ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs | 8.8 mi | 6.6 |
| NORTHERN HILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Holt | 8.7 mi | 7.0 |
| SOUTHVIEW ELEM. Kearney | 9.4 mi | 5.9 |
| KEARNEY HIGH Kearney | 9.5 mi | 6.1 |
| KEARNEY JR. HIGH Kearney | 9.5 mi | 7.0 |
| LENS Kearney | 9.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Lathrop Elementary School Lathrop | 10.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Lathrop Middle School Lathrop | 10.1 mi | 7.2 |
| KEARNEY MIDDLE Kearney | 9.3 mi | 6.3 |
| KEARNEY ELEM. Kearney | 9.5 mi | 5.6 |
| KEARNEY EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Kearney | 9.5 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,306
Median Home Value
$230,700
Median Rent
$1,063/mo
Population
6,752
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Elem. has a median household income of $89,306. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,700, with a median rent of $1,063/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| CLEARWATER ELEMENTARY Piedmont, MO | 8.0 |
| ELLISON ELEM. St. Joseph, MO | 8.0 |
| EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Maryville, MO | 8.0 |
| FAIR GROVE ELEM. Fair Grove, MO | 8.0 |
| GRADEN ELEM. Parkville, MO | 8.0 |
| GREEN PINES ELEM. Wildwood, MO | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Elem.
What grades does Southwest Elem. serve?
Southwest Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Southwest Elem.?
Southwest Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 393 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Elem.?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Elem. is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Elem. rank in MO?
Southwest Elem. is ranked #274 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Southwest Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Elem. 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 Southwest Elem.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Elem. has 53.7% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwest Elem. a charter school?
No, Southwest Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Elem. a Title I school?
No, Southwest Elem. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Elem.?
28.2% of students at Southwest 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lawson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 393
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Ray County
- Phone
- (816) 580-7272
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LAWSON R-XIV- District Enrollment
- 1,114
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,973
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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