Needs Improvement
#2587 of 2,648 schools in NC
Southwest High
High School · Onslow County Schools
1420 Burgaw Hwy, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Enrollment
685
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
3.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
685
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
3.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jacksonville
#26 of 26
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#553 of 579
In district
#39 of 39
Onslow County Schools
About Southwest High
Southwest High in Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a regular public high school serving students from ninth to twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 685 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, the school has 41 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse student body. Located in a mid-size suburb along Burgaw Highway, Southwest High provides a community-focused learning environment.
Academically, Southwest High is currently ranked #2455 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it at the 8th percentile statewide. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating reflects areas for improvement, with an academic score of 3.0/10. In recent assessments, 44% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 39% meet proficiency standards in Math.
These scores indicate there is room for growth in educational performance. Southwest High is situated within a supportive suburban community that encourages student development beyond the classroom.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Southwest High — Students at Southwest High score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 3.0/10.
How Southwest High Compares
See how Southwest High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 18.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 47.3% (2025).
Location
1420 Burgaw Hwy, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southwest Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meadow View Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jacksonville, see our Jacksonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Southwest Middle Jacksonville | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| ONE WORLD MONTESSORI LLC Jacksonville | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville | 2.9 mi | — |
| Southwest Elementary Jacksonville | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville | 3.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| New Bridge Middle Jacksonville | 3.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Northwoods Elementary Jacksonville | 3.5 mi | 7.1 |
| ST ANNE'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Jacksonville | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville | 3.7 mi | 8.7 |
| GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville | 3.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Clear View Elementary Jacksonville | 4.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Summersill Elementary Jacksonville | 4.5 mi | 6.6 |
| FACT DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM Jacksonville | 3.8 mi | — |
| Jacksonville High Jacksonville | 4.0 mi | 6.1 |
| LWCS Jacksonville | 4.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville | 4.0 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| East Davidson High Thomasville, NC | 3.4 |
| Forbush High East Bend, NC | 3.4 |
| Granville Central High Stem, NC | 3.4 |
| Cochrane Collegiate Academy Charlotte, NC | 3.5 |
| Carver High Winston-Salem, NC | 3.6 |
| South Lenoir High Deep Run, NC | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest High
What grades does Southwest High serve?
Southwest High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Southwest High?
Southwest High has an enrollment of approximately 685 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest High?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest High is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest High rank in NC?
Southwest High is ranked #2587 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwest High's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest High has a composite rating of 3.4 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest High has 34.1% math proficiency and 43.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwest High a charter school?
No, Southwest High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest High a Title I school?
No, Southwest High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest High?
56.8% of students at Southwest 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (770/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 685
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Onslow County
- Phone
- (910) 455-4888
- 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
- #39 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
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