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Below Average

#2169 of 2,648 schools in NC

South Elementary

Elementary School · Caswell County Schools

8925 NC Hwy 86 S, Mebane, NC 27302

Enrollment

218

Student-Teacher

24.2:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mebane

#4 of 7

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,343 of 1,474

In district

#5 of 6

Caswell County Schools

About South Elementary

South Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Mebane, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 218 students with a student-teacher ratio of 24.2:1. South Elementary is situated in a rural area, offering a close-knit community feel.

The school has nine full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education to its diverse group of young learners. South Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 3.7 out of 10, placing it at the 20th percentile among North Carolina schools with a state ranking of #2141 out of 2661 schools. While test scores in ELA/Reading and Math show that around 40-41% of students are proficient or above, there is room for academic growth.

South Elementary provides a supportive environment where teachers focus on the development of each child's individual needs, fostering a strong sense of community within its rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at South Elementary is 24.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.6 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,976

South Elementary — Students at South Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.1%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 41.1%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
46.7%
ELA
41.9%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How South Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in NC
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

8925 NC Hwy 86 S, Mebane, NC 27302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pathways Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Hillsborough), which scores notably higher. Another option is Efland Cheeks Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Efland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Roxboro), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mebane, see our Mebane schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Bartlett Yancey High Yanceyville 7.1 mi 4.8
Oakwood Elementary Yanceyville 7.9 mi 7.5
Pleasant Grove Elementary Burlington 8.6 mi 4.7
N L Dillard Middle Yanceyville 9.1 mi 5.3
Oak Lane Elementary Hurdle Mills 8.8 mi 7.1
Stoney Creek Elementary Reidsville 10.3 mi 7.3
Woodland Elementary Semora 12.7 mi 7.5
Woodlawn Middle Mebane 15.2 mi 2.6
Eastern Alamance High Mebane 15.3 mi 4.7
E M Yoder Elementary Mebane 15.9 mi 7.7
South Mebane Elementary Mebane 16.7 mi 4.8
ROXBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Roxboro 13.9 mi 6.2
BRADFORD ACADEMY Mebane 17.1 mi 5.1
Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland 17.2 mi 9.2
Southern Middle Roxboro 14.2 mi 7.5
Stories Creek Elementary Roxboro 14.6 mi 6.2
South Elementary Roxboro 14.3 mi 8.3
North Elementary Providence 16.4 mi 7.9
PROGRESSIVE LEARNING ACADEMY Roxboro 14.5 mi 5.6
Pathways Elementary Hillsborough 16.9 mi 9.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,875

Median Home Value

$275,400

Median Rent

$1,130/mo

Population

34,222

College Educated

34.2%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

28.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Elementary has a median household income of $81,875. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $275,400, with a median rent of $1,130/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Courtney Elementary Yadkinville, NC 4.9
John W Dillard Academy Madison, NC 4.9
Mountain Discovery Bryson City, NC 4.9
East Voyager Academy of Charlotte Charlotte, NC 5.0
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington, NC 5.0
GRACE COVENANT ACADEMY Cornelius, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Elementary

What grades does South Elementary serve?

South Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend South Elementary?

South Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 218 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at South Elementary is 24.2:1. 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 NC?

South Elementary is ranked #2169 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is South Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

South Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 South Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Elementary has 40.1% math proficiency and 41.1% 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.

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

97.2% of students at South Elementary 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

City Safety
High (3,523/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mebane). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
218
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Caswell County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Caswell County Schools
District Enrollment
2,149
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,044
District Rank
#5 of 6

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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