Needs Improvement
#2441 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
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
685
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,441 of 2,648
In Jacksonville
#26 of 26
public schools
In district
#39 of 39
Onslow County Schools
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Southwest High
High School in Jacksonville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Blue Creek Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Southwest Middle
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest High
Southwest High is a public high school in Jacksonville, NC, part of Onslow County Schools. Southwest High serves approximately 685 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,441 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Southwest High show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
40% of students at Southwest High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Southwest High — Students at Southwest High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
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 28 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: 3.3/10.
How Southwest High Compares
See how Southwest High 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
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 Parkwood Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, New Bridge Middle (rated 7.2/10, 3.2 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 | 4.5 |
| Southwest Middle Jacksonville | 0.6 mi | 4.0 |
| ONE WORLD MONTESSORI LLC Jacksonville | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville | 2.9 mi | — |
| Southwest Elementary Jacksonville | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville | 3.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville | 3.2 mi | 7.2 |
| New Bridge Middle Jacksonville | 3.2 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| Summersill Elementary Jacksonville | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| FACT DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM Jacksonville | 3.8 mi | — |
| Jacksonville High Jacksonville | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
| LWCS Jacksonville | 4.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville | 4.0 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 |
|---|---|
| West Caldwell High Lenoir, NC | 3.7 |
| James Kenan High Warsaw, NC | 3.8 |
| West Iredell High Statesville, NC | 3.8 |
| East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw, NC | 3.6 |
| West Craven High Vanceboro, NC | 3.9 |
| J. F. Webb High Oxford, NC | 3.5 |
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 ranks #2,441 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwest High's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest High has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.7%
- Phone
- (910) 455-4888
- 4-Year Graduation
- 84.0%
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
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