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Very Good

#971 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 37% in state

Southwood Elementary

Elementary School · Davidson County Schools

5850 NC Hwy 8, Lexington, NC 27292

Enrollment

593

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#971 of 2,648

In Lexington

#7 of 27

public schools

In district

#13 of 35

Davidson County Schools

Equity

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Southwood Elementary

7.0/10

Elementary School in Lexington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Central Davidson Middle

6.2/10

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

Central Davidson High

6.5/10

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

About Southwood Elementary

Southwood Elementary is a public elementary school in Lexington, NC, part of Davidson County Schools. Southwood Elementary serves approximately 593 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #971 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Southwood Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Southwood Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.7% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+4.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.1 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+13.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,178
Chronic Absenteeism20.1%

Southwood Elementary — Students at Southwood Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 46.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 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
86%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
36%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
39%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
45%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
52.1%
ELA
43.7%
2025
Math
68.6%
ELA
54%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Southwood Elementary Compares

See how Southwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in NC
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
6.3/10
Average
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Davidson Charter Academy (rated 7.3/10, 7.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is South Lexington School (rated 7.1/10, 4.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Davis-Townsend Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 7.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 6.2
Central Davidson High Lexington 2.6 mi 6.5
South Lexington School Lexington 4.5 mi 7.1
South Lexington Developmental Center Lexington 4.5 mi
Southmont Elementary Lexington 4.7 mi 5.0
SHEETS MEMORIAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lexington 5.3 mi 6.8
Tyro Elementary Lexington 5.0 mi 5.0
Southwest Elementary Global Academy Lexington 5.9 mi 6.1
Charles England Elementary School Lexington 6.1 mi 4.8
Lexington Senior High School Lexington 7.0 mi 6.4
Lexington Middle School Lexington 7.1 mi 6.0
Stoner-Thomas School Lexington 7.0 mi 3.2
Pickett Elementary School Lexington 7.8 mi 4.2
Davidson Charter Academy Lexington 7.8 mi 7.3
Davidson County High School Lexington 7.3 mi 6.8
Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy Lexington 7.3 mi 9.0
West Davidson High Lexington 7.3 mi 5.4
Tyro Middle Lexington 7.7 mi 4.9
Reeds Elementary Lexington 8.4 mi 5.3
Davis-Townsend Elementary Lexington 7.9 mi 6.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Allen Jay Elementary High Point, NC 7.0
BT Bullock Elementary Sanford, NC 7.0
Belmont Central Elementary Belmont, NC 7.0
Cardinal Charter Academy Cary, NC 7.0
D F Walker Elementary Edenton, NC 7.0
Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina, NC 7.0

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 ranks #971 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Southwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Southwood Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwood Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.1%

District

Davidson County Schools
District Enrollment
17,868
Schools in District
35
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,178
District Rank
#13 of 35

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