Very Good
#564 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 21% in state
Southwest Elementary
Elementary School · Onslow County Schools
2601 Burgaw Hwy, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jacksonville
#3 of 26
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#493 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 39
Onslow County Schools
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwest Elementary
Southwest Elementary is a rural public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students in Jacksonville, North Carolina. With 740 students and 54 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.7 to 1, allowing for reasonably individualized attention in classrooms. Academically, Southwest Elementary ranks in the 60th percentile among North Carolina schools, placing it at #1073 out of 2,661 statewide.
The school has room for academic growth, particularly in core subjects. About half of students are proficient or above in English language arts and reading, while math proficiency sits at 52 percent across grade levels. These performance levels reflect a school working to build strong foundational skills in its student population.
The school's setting near a town in rural Onslow County provides a community-oriented environment for learning. Located on Burgaw Highway, Southwest Elementary serves families throughout the area who value having an accessible elementary school in their immediate region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southwest 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Southwest Elementary — Students at Southwest Elementary score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
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 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: 8.7/10.
How Southwest Elementary Compares
See how Southwest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 57.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 54.5% (2025).
Location
2601 Burgaw Hwy, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadow View Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Northwoods Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 6.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Blue Creek Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.2 |
| Southwest High Jacksonville | 2.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Southwest Middle Jacksonville | 2.8 mi | 5.0 |
| ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville | 3.5 mi | — |
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Clear View Elementary Jacksonville | 5.0 mi | 5.6 |
| ONE WORLD MONTESSORI LLC Jacksonville | 4.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville | 4.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville | 5.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville | 5.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Summersill Elementary Jacksonville | 6.5 mi | 6.6 |
| New Bridge Middle Jacksonville | 5.8 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville | 6.6 mi | 6.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Elementary has a median household income of $61,462. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,700, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Benton Heights Elementary Monroe, NC | 7.8 |
| Frank Morgan Elementary Clemmons, NC | 7.8 |
| Fuller Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.8 |
| Gallberry Farm Elementary Hope Mills, NC | 7.8 |
| Hall-Woodward Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 7.8 |
| Heritage Elementary School Richlands, NC | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #564 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Elementary has 52.0% math proficiency and 50.5% 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?
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 347-0900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Onslow County Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,592
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,056
- District Rank
- #5 of 39
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
- Best Public Schools in Florida 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in Jacksonville, Miami & Tampa for Families Exploring School Choicebest schools
- Best Schools in Jacksonville, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Florida School Choice Guide: Public vs Private vs Charter — What the Data Showsguides
- Florida School Vouchers 2026: How to Compare Your Options Before the April 30 Deadlineschool choice
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.