Very Good
#899 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 34% in state
Southern Elementary
Elementary School · Guilford County Schools
5720 Drake Road, Greensboro, NC 27406
Enrollment
234
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
234
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Greensboro
#31 of 80
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#734 of 1,474
In district
#44 of 121
Guilford County Schools
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Southern Elementary
Southern Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural outskirts of Greensboro, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 234 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, Southern Elementary ensures that each child receives individual attention from its dedicated staff of 17 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, the school is ranked at #1101 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it in the 59th percentile overall. Students perform well in both ELA and reading, with 54% reaching proficiency or above, and similarly in math, where 55% are proficient or above. Southern Elementary is a community-focused school that prioritizes student development and growth, even as it seeks to improve its academic standing.
The setting provides students with a peaceful rural environment near the town, fostering a strong sense of connection between the school and its surroundings.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southern 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
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Southern Elementary — Students at Southern Elementary score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC 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: 6.9/10.
How Southern Elementary Compares
See how Southern Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 57.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 55.6% (2025).
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 8.2/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sumner Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sedgefield Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 5.9 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 | 5.5 |
| Southern Guilford High Greensboro | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Sumner Elementary Greensboro | 3.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Next Generation Academy Greensboro | 4.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Jamestown Middle Jamestown | 4.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Haynes Inman Education Center Jamestown | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| College Prep and Leadership Academy Jamestown | 4.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Allen Middle Greensboro | 4.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Cyrus P Frazier Elementary Greensboro | 5.0 mi | 7.3 |
| LEVEL CROSS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Randleman | 4.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Millis Road Elementary Jamestown | 4.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Lucy Ragsdale High Jamestown | 4.8 mi | 4.2 |
| C Joyner Greene Education Center Jamestown | 4.9 mi | 5.8 |
| GTCC Middle College High Jamestown | 5.1 mi | 8.0 |
| MOUNT CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Archdale | 4.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Sedgefield Elementary Greensboro | 5.9 mi | 7.5 |
| John R Lawrence Elementary School Archdale | 5.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Pilot Elementary Greensboro | 6.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Archer Elementary Greensboro | 6.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Ben L. Smith High School Greensboro | 6.3 mi | 5.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Elementary has a median household income of $56,748. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $191,800, with a median rent of $1,103/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Moncure School Moncure, NC | 7.2 |
| Morehead Elem at Camp Glenn Morehead City, NC | 7.2 |
| North Kannapolis Elementary Kannapolis, NC | 7.2 |
| Page Street Elementary Troy, NC | 7.2 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion, NC | 7.2 |
| Southmont Elementary Lexington, NC | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #899 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Southern Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Elementary has 54.9% math proficiency and 54.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Greensboro). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (336) 674-4325
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Guilford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 67,832
- Schools in District
- 124
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,897
- District Rank
- #44 of 121
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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