Average
#1865 of 2,648 schools in NC
Southwest Elementary
Elementary School · Onslow County Schools
2601 Burgaw Hwy, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,865 of 2,648
In Jacksonville
#15 of 26
public schools
In district
#27 of 39
Onslow County Schools
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Southwest Elementary
Elementary School in Jacksonville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Meadow View Elementary
2.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Southwest High
2.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest Elementary
Southwest Elementary is a public elementary school in Jacksonville, NC, part of Onslow County Schools. Southwest Elementary serves approximately 740 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,865 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Southwest Elementary show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 6.4
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Southwest 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.
33% of students at Southwest 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwest Elementary — Students at Southwest Elementary score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2601 Burgaw Hwy, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Parkwood Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Northwoods Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology (rated 6.6/10, 6.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jacksonville, see our Jacksonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Southwest High Jacksonville | 2.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Southwest Middle Jacksonville | 2.8 mi | 4.0 |
| ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville | 3.5 mi | — |
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville | 3.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Clear View Elementary Jacksonville | 5.0 mi | 5.9 |
| ONE WORLD MONTESSORI LLC Jacksonville | 4.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville | 4.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville | 5.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville | 5.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Summersill Elementary Jacksonville | 6.5 mi | 6.5 |
| New Bridge Middle Jacksonville | 5.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Northwoods Elementary Jacksonville | 6.2 mi | 7.1 |
| ST ANNE'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Jacksonville | 6.2 mi | 5.2 |
| GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville | 6.4 mi | 8.7 |
| GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville | 6.4 mi | 6.6 |
| LWCS Jacksonville | 6.9 mi | 6.3 |
| FACT DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM Jacksonville | 6.4 mi | — |
| Jacksonville High Jacksonville | 6.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville | 6.6 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,462
Median Home Value
$201,700
Median Rent
$1,014/mo
Population
50,808
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
59.1%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
29
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| B F Grady Elementary Albertson, NC | 5.3 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point, NC | 5.3 |
| Carver Elementary Wendell, NC | 5.3 |
| Cumberland Mills Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 5.3 |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury, NC | 5.3 |
| Lake Myra Elementary Wendell, NC | 5.3 |
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 740 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Elementary is 13.7:1. 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 ranks #1,865 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Southwest Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Elementary has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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?
59.5% 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 740
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Onslow County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.1%
- Phone
- (910) 347-0900
Resources & Links
District
Onslow County Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,592
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,056
- District Rank
- #27 of 39
Other Schools in This District
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