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Needs Improvement

#2632 of 2,648 schools in NC

Southwest Edgecombe High

High School · Edgecombe County Public Schools

Rt. 1 Box 25, Pinetops, NC 27864

Enrollment

828

Student-Teacher

20.7:1

Score

2.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pinetops

#3 of 3

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#574 of 579

In district

#14 of 14

Edgecombe County Public Schools

About Southwest Edgecombe High

SouthWest Edgecombe High serves students in grades 9 through 12 in Pinetops, a rural area of Edgecombe County, North Carolina. The school enrolls 828 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1 and a teaching staff of 40 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, SouthWest Edgecombe High is working toward strengthening student performance.

Currently, 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 36% meet proficiency benchmarks in math. The school has room for significant academic growth, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.2/10 and a state ranking in the 4th percentile among North Carolina schools. These metrics suggest the school is prioritizing student development and improvement in core subject areas.

As a regular public high school in a rural setting, SouthWest Edgecombe High serves an important role in its community, providing secondary education to students across the county.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Edgecombe High is 20.7:1, 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, Southwest Edgecombe High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.9%
Math vs. State Avg-49.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.7 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-27.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,224

Southwest Edgecombe High — Students at Southwest Edgecombe High score 17% 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

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.9%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 28.6%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
6.8%
ELA
26.9%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Southwest Edgecombe High Compares

See how Southwest Edgecombe High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.8/10
1th percentile in NC
Academic
1.8/10
1.8/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

Rt. 1 Box 25, Pinetops, NC 27864

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwest Edgecombe High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Edgecombe Early College High (rated 7.9/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Tarboro), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Edgecombe High (rated 5.2/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Tarboro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tarboro High (rated 3.0/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Tarboro), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pinetops, see our Pinetops schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.7 mi
School Distance Rating
G W Carver Elementary Pinetops 3.7 mi 8.7
South Edgecombe Middle Pinetops 4.2 mi 8.0
G W Bulluck Elementary Rocky Mount 4.7 mi 6.5
North East Carolina Prep Tarboro 5.8 mi 8.0
Edgecombe Early College High Tarboro 5.7 mi 7.9
West Edgecombe Middle Rocky Mount 6.4 mi 4.2
Tarboro High Tarboro 7.2 mi 3.0
Stocks Elementary Tarboro 7.9 mi 7.2
Martin Millennium Academy Tarboro 8.4 mi 7.3
Princeville Elementary Tarboro 8.2 mi 7.1
W A Pattillo Middle Tarboro 8.9 mi 6.2
Coker-Wimberly Elementary Battleboro 10.2 mi 6.3
D S Johnson Elementary Rocky Mount 9.6 mi 2.2
Gardners Elementary Elm City 9.5 mi 8.6
Fairview Elementary Rocky Mount 9.7 mi 5.7
Baskerville Elementary Rocky Mount 10.1 mi 3.1
J W Parker Middle Rocky Mount 10.3 mi 4.0
Phillips Middle Battleboro 11.5 mi 6.7
North Edgecombe High Tarboro 11.4 mi 5.2
OUR LADY PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rocky Mount 10.7 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27864 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,764

Median Home Value

$119,300

Median Rent

$857/mo

Population

4,283

College Educated

15.4%

Homeownership

61%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Median Age

45.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southwest Edgecombe High has a median household income of $54,764. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,300, with a median rent of $857/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Eastern Randolph High School Ramseur, NC 2.8
Hugh M Cummings High Burlington, NC 2.8
Starmount High Boonville, NC 2.7
Bunker Hill High Claremont, NC 3.0
Providence Grove High School Climax, NC 3.0
Randleman High School Randleman, NC 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwest Edgecombe High

What grades does Southwest Edgecombe High serve?

Southwest Edgecombe High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Southwest Edgecombe High?

Southwest Edgecombe High has an enrollment of approximately 828 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Edgecombe High?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Edgecombe High is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwest Edgecombe High rank in NC?

Southwest Edgecombe High is ranked #2632 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Southwest Edgecombe High's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Edgecombe High has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Edgecombe High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Edgecombe High has 26.9% math proficiency and 28.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southwest Edgecombe High a charter school?

No, Southwest Edgecombe High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southwest Edgecombe High a Title I school?

No, Southwest Edgecombe High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Edgecombe High?

99.6% of students at Southwest Edgecombe High 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

County Safety
Average (648/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
828
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Edgecombe County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Edgecombe County Public Schools
District Enrollment
5,299
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,702
District Rank
#14 of 14

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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