Excellent
#213 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 8% in state
Southwood Elementary
Elementary School · Davidson County Schools
5850 NC Hwy 8, Lexington, NC 27292
Enrollment
593
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
593
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lexington
#1 of 27
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#190 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 35
Davidson County Schools
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwood Elementary
Southwood Elementary is a public elementary school in Lexington, NC, part of the Davidson County Schools. The school serves approximately 593 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 92nd percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 59% proficiency in math, matching the state average and 48% in reading/language arts, 5 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $54,468, where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southwood 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
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Southwood Elementary — Students at Southwood Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
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: 9.6/10.
How Southwood Elementary Compares
See how Southwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 67.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 52.7% (2025).
Location
5850 NC Hwy 8, Lexington, NC 27292
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southwest Elementary Global Academy (rated 8.2/10, 5.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Southmont Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 4.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Charles England Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 6.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Davidson Middle Lexington | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Central Davidson High Lexington | 2.6 mi | 3.8 |
| South Lexington School Lexington | 4.5 mi | 5.8 |
| South Lexington Developmental Center Lexington | 4.5 mi | — |
| Southmont Elementary Lexington | 4.7 mi | 7.2 |
| SHEETS MEMORIAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lexington | 5.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Tyro Elementary Lexington | 5.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Southwest Elementary Global Academy Lexington | 5.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Charles England Elementary School Lexington | 6.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Lexington Senior High School Lexington | 7.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Lexington Middle School Lexington | 7.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Stoner-Thomas School Lexington | 7.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Pickett Elementary School Lexington | 7.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Davidson Charter Academy Lexington | 7.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Davidson County High School Lexington | 7.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy Lexington | 7.3 mi | 6.2 |
| West Davidson High Lexington | 7.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Tyro Middle Lexington | 7.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Reeds Elementary Lexington | 8.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Davis-Townsend Elementary Lexington | 7.9 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27292 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,468
Median Home Value
$193,300
Median Rent
$831/mo
Population
40,369
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
67.1%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
19.4%
Median Age
40.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwood Elementary has a median household income of $54,468. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,300, with a median rent of $831/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Bethel Elementary Midland, NC | 8.5 |
| Brinson Memorial Elementary New Bern, NC | 8.5 |
| Cash Elementary Kernersville, NC | 8.5 |
| Conn Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.5 |
| Farmington Woods Elementary Cary, NC | 8.5 |
| Florence Elementary High Point, NC | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwood Elementary
What grades does Southwood Elementary serve?
Southwood Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Southwood Elementary?
Southwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 593 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwood Elementary is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwood Elementary rank in NC?
Southwood Elementary is ranked #213 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwood Elementary has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Southwood Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwood Elementary has 59.4% math proficiency and 47.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwood Elementary a charter school?
No, Southwood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Southwood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwood Elementary?
99.5% of students at Southwood 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. City-level (Lexington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 593
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Davidson County
- Phone
- (336) 357-2777
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Davidson County Schools- District Enrollment
- 17,868
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,178
- District Rank
- #2 of 35
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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