Average
#1420 of 2,648 schools in NC
Southwest Elementary
Elementary School · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
1631 Southwest School Drive, Clemmons, NC 27012
Enrollment
513
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
513
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clemmons
#3 of 4
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,031 of 1,474
In district
#45 of 78
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwest Elementary
Southwest Elementary serves 513 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Clemmons, a well-established suburban community in Forsyth County. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an 8.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 90th percentile among North Carolina elementary schools at #278 out of 2,661 schools statewide.
Students show solid proficiency in core subjects, with 74% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading, while 77% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. Southwest Elementary draws families from a community where education is highly valued—nearly half of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 27012 zip code area reflects economic stability with a median household income of $91,003 and median home values around $293,700.
The relatively low poverty rate of 8% indicates a community with strong economic foundations. The school sits in Clemmons' large suburban setting, serving families who have chosen this area for its blend of educational opportunities and community-oriented atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
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Southwest Elementary — Students at Southwest Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.4%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 4.2/10.
How Southwest Elementary Compares
See how Southwest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 76.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 73% (2025).
Location
1631 Southwest School Drive, Clemmons, NC 27012
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Winston-Salem), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bolton Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Winston-Salem), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lewisville Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Lewisville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clemmons, see our Clemmons schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Forsyth High Clemmons | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| CATHEDRAL OAK ACADEMY Clemmons | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| FORSYTH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Lewisville | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Meadowlark Middle Winston-Salem | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| CALVARY DAY SCHOOL Winston-Salem | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Frank Morgan Elementary Clemmons | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Meadowlark Elementary Winston-Salem | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Clemmons Elementary Clemmons | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Lewisville Elementary Lewisville | 2.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Lewisville Middle Lewisville | 3.6 mi | 6.9 |
| South Fork Elementary Winston-Salem | 3.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Clemmons Middle School Winston-Salem | 3.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Ward Elementary Winston-Salem | 3.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Jefferson Elementary Winston-Salem | 4.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Vienna Elementary Pfafftown | 5.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Winston-Salem | 4.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Sherwood Forest Elementary Winston-Salem | 4.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Mount Tabor High School Winston-Salem | 5.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Bolton Elementary Winston-Salem | 5.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Flat Rock Middle Winston-Salem | 6.0 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,082
Median Home Value
$314,500
Median Rent
$1,147/mo
Population
29,708
College Educated
48.8%
Homeownership
80.7%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Elementary has a median household income of $94,082. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $314,500, with a median rent of $1,147/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Belmont Central Elementary Belmont, NC | 6.3 |
| College Lakes Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.3 |
| Crown Point Elementary Matthews, NC | 6.3 |
| David Cox Road Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.3 |
| Dilworth Elem Sedgefield Campus Charlotte, NC | 6.3 |
| E E Miller Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Elementary
What grades does Southwest Elementary serve?
Southwest Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Southwest Elementary?
Southwest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 513 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Elementary rank in NC?
Southwest Elementary is ranked #1420 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Elementary has 75.2% math proficiency and 73.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwest Elementary a charter school?
No, Southwest Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Elementary a Title I school?
No, Southwest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Elementary?
37.4% of students at Southwest 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (393/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 513
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Forsyth County
- Phone
- (336) 703-4195
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools- District Enrollment
- 52,157
- Schools in District
- 81
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,811
- District Rank
- #45 of 78
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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