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Needs Improvement

#2578 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

2.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,578 of 2,648

In Mebane

#7 of 7

public schools

In district

#6 of 6

Caswell County Schools

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South Elementary

2.9/10

Elementary School in Mebane · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bartlett Yancey High

5.5/10

7.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Oakwood Elementary

4.4/10

7.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South Elementary

South Elementary is a public elementary school in Mebane, NC, part of Caswell County Schools. South Elementary serves approximately 218 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 24.2:1 student-teacher ratio. South Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,578 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for South Elementary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

South Elementary runs 24.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

South Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

43% of students at South Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.6 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment1.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,044
Chronic Absenteeism43.1%

South Elementary — Students at South Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

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 48.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 43.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
31.2%
ELA
24.8%
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: 2.0/10.

How South Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
3th percentile in NC
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Woodland Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Semora), which scores notably higher. Another option is Efland Cheeks Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Efland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Providence), 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 5.5
Oakwood Elementary Yanceyville 7.9 mi 4.4
Pleasant Grove Elementary Burlington 8.6 mi 3.5
N L Dillard Middle Yanceyville 9.1 mi 3.3
Oak Lane Elementary Hurdle Mills 8.8 mi 7.1
Stoney Creek Elementary Reidsville 10.3 mi 4.2
Woodland Elementary Semora 12.7 mi 8.0
Woodlawn Middle Mebane 15.2 mi 3.0
Eastern Alamance High Mebane 15.3 mi 5.3
E M Yoder Elementary Mebane 15.9 mi 6.9
South Mebane Elementary Mebane 16.7 mi 4.5
ROXBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Roxboro 13.9 mi 6.2
BRADFORD ACADEMY Mebane 17.1 mi 5.1
Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland 17.2 mi 7.6
Southern Middle Roxboro 14.2 mi 7.1
Stories Creek Elementary Roxboro 14.6 mi 6.0
South Elementary Roxboro 14.3 mi 7.1
North Elementary Providence 16.4 mi 7.4
PROGRESSIVE LEARNING ACADEMY Roxboro 14.5 mi 5.7
Pathways Elementary Hillsborough 16.9 mi 7.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Oak Hill Charter School Lenoir, NC 2.8
Valmead Elementary Lenoir, NC 3.0
Williford Elementary Rocky Mount, NC 2.6
Gillespie Park Elementary Greensboro, NC 3.2
Johnston Elementary Asheville, NC 3.2
Mount Gilead Elementary Mount Gilead, NC 3.2

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 ranks #2,578 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is South Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

South Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at South Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Elementary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.1%

District

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

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