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Average

#1445 of 2,648 schools in NC

Southern Elementary

Elementary School · Guilford County Schools

5720 Drake Road, Greensboro, NC 27406

Enrollment

234

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,445 of 2,648

In Greensboro

#45 of 80

public schools

In district

#63 of 121

Guilford County Schools

School environment

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Southern Elementary

6.1/10

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

Southern Guilford Middle

4.0/10

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

Southern Guilford High

4.9/10

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

About Southern Elementary

Southern Elementary is a public elementary school in Greensboro, NC, part of Guilford County Schools. Southern Elementary serves approximately 234 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,445 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Elementary show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Southern 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-6.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,897
Chronic Absenteeism25.6%

Southern Elementary — Students at Southern Elementary score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 55.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 35 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
92%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
64.1%
2025
Math
57.6%
ELA
55.6%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Southern Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in NC
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.6%

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

5720 Drake Road, Greensboro, NC 27406

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Next Generation Academy (rated 7.7/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is John R Lawrence Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Archdale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cyrus P Frazier Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 5.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Greensboro, see our Greensboro schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Southern Guilford Middle Greensboro 0.3 mi 4.0
Southern Guilford High Greensboro 0.4 mi 4.9
Sumner Elementary Greensboro 3.1 mi 5.5
Next Generation Academy Greensboro 4.6 mi 7.7
Jamestown Middle Jamestown 4.2 mi 4.7
Haynes Inman Education Center Jamestown 4.2 mi 5.2
College Prep and Leadership Academy Jamestown 4.0 mi 5.2
Allen Middle Greensboro 4.9 mi 4.0
Cyrus P Frazier Elementary Greensboro 5.0 mi 6.3
LEVEL CROSS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Randleman 4.8 mi 5.5
Millis Road Elementary Jamestown 4.8 mi 6.3
Lucy Ragsdale High Jamestown 4.8 mi 6.1
C Joyner Greene Education Center Jamestown 4.9 mi 4.9
GTCC Middle College High Jamestown 5.1 mi 8.7
MOUNT CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Archdale 4.8 mi 5.7
Sedgefield Elementary Greensboro 5.9 mi 5.7
John R Lawrence Elementary School Archdale 5.4 mi 7.5
Pilot Elementary Greensboro 6.0 mi 4.6
Archer Elementary Greensboro 6.1 mi 6.0
Ben L. Smith High School Greensboro 6.3 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,748

Median Home Value

$191,800

Median Rent

$1,103/mo

Population

63,661

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

55%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

20%

Median Age

35.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cameron Elementary Cameron, NC 6.1
EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Southern Pines, NC 6.1
FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia, NC 6.1
L B Yancey Elementary Henderson, NC 6.1
Shadybrook Elementary High Point, NC 6.1
Union Grove Elementary Union Grove, NC 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Elementary

What grades does Southern Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Southern Elementary?

Southern Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 234 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Elementary rank in NC?

Southern Elementary ranks #1,445 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Southern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Southern Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Elementary has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Southern Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Southern Elementary a Title I school?

No, Southern Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

56.0% of students at Southern 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
234
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Guilford County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.6%

District

Guilford County Schools
District Enrollment
67,832
Schools in District
124
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,897
District Rank
#63 of 121

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