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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

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

2.6/10

Elementary School in Hickory · grades Pre-K – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Reflections of Christ Christian Academy

Nearby

1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Longview Elementary

6.7/10

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).

How it compares3.0 pts below district
  • 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 metrics
Student Progress1.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change-7.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2016
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2016 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2016 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2016 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2016 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-19.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,662
Chronic Absenteeism35.7%

Southwest Primary — Students at Southwest Primary score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC EDFACTS (2015-16)

Math Proficiency 47.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2016)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2016)
School
State
N/A

Based on 16 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
77%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
22%

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.

Overall Score
2.6/10
1th percentile in NC
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.4/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.7%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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%

District

Hickory City Schools
District Enrollment
3,817
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,662
District Rank
#9 of 9

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