Needs Improvement
#2611 of 2,648 schools in NC
Southwest Primary
Elementary School · Hickory City Schools
1580 32nd Street SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,611 of 2,648
In Hickory
#17 of 17
public schools
In district
#9 of 9
Hickory City Schools
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Southwest Primary
Elementary School in Hickory · grades Pre-K – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Reflections of Christ Christian Academy
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Longview Elementary
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest Primary
Southwest Primary is a public elementary school in Hickory, NC, part of Hickory City Schools. Southwest Primary serves approximately 311 students, and covers grades Pre-K-2nd, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Primary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,611 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Southwest Primary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2016) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2016).
- This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.6
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
36% of students at Southwest Primary 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 Primary — Students at Southwest Primary score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC EDFACTS (2015-16)
Based on 16 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.1/10.
How Southwest Primary Compares
See how Southwest Primary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1580 32nd Street SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Primary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mountain View Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakwood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Icard Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Connelly Springs), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hickory, see our Hickory schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hildebran | 1.7 mi | — |
| Longview Elementary Hickory | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Hildebran Elementary Hildebran | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Mountain View Elementary Hickory | 3.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Oakwood Elementary Hickory | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 3.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Ray Childers Elementary Hickory | 3.6 mi | 6.5 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory | 3.4 mi | — |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 4.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory | 3.9 mi | 8.7 |
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory | 3.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 4.1 mi | 4.5 |
| East Burke Middle Connelly Springs | 4.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Icard Elementary Connelly Springs | 4.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Northview Middle Hickory | 5.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Fred T Foard High Newton | 6.4 mi | 5.7 |
| East Burke High Connelly Springs | 5.4 mi | 6.1 |
| W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory | 6.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Jacobs Fork Middle Newton | 6.7 mi | 6.6 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory | 6.0 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,031
Median Home Value
$180,300
Median Rent
$830/mo
Population
29,273
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
66.2%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
40.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dole Elementary Salisbury, NC | 2.6 |
| Williford Elementary Rocky Mount, NC | 2.6 |
| Mariam Boyd Elementary Warrenton, NC | 2.7 |
| North Graham Elementary Graham, NC | 2.5 |
| R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington, NC | 2.5 |
| Wiley Accel/Enrichment Greensboro, NC | 2.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Primary
What grades does Southwest Primary serve?
Southwest Primary serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.
How many students attend Southwest Primary?
Southwest Primary has an enrollment of approximately 311 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Primary?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Primary is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Primary rank in NC?
Southwest Primary ranks #2,611 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwest Primary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Primary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 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 Primary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Primary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2016) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2016).
Is Southwest Primary a charter school?
No, Southwest Primary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Primary a Title I school?
No, Southwest Primary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Primary?
99.0% of students at Southwest Primary 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 311
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Catawba County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.7%
- Phone
- (828) 324-8884
Resources & Links
District
Hickory City Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,817
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,662
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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