Average
#1250 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 47% in state
Southwood Elementary
Elementary School · Lenoir County Public Schools
1245 Hwy 58 South, Kinston, NC 28504
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,250 of 2,648
In Kinston
#4 of 13
public schools
In district
#5 of 17
Lenoir County Public Schools
School environment
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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Southwood Elementary
Elementary School in Kinston · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lenoir County Early College High
1.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Southeast Elementary
3.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwood Elementary
Southwood Elementary is a public elementary school in Kinston, NC, part of Lenoir County Public Schools. Southwood Elementary serves approximately 235 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,250 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Southwood Elementary show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwood Elementary — Students at Southwood Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 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: 5.2/10.
How Southwood Elementary Compares
See how Southwood Elementary 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
1245 Hwy 58 South, Kinston, NC 28504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Comfort Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Comfort), which scores notably higher. Another option is Moss Hill Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 10.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pink Hill Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Pink Hill), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kinston, see our Kinston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lenoir County Early College High Kinston | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Southeast Elementary Kinston | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Rochelle Middle Kinston | 3.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Children's Village Academy Kinston | 4.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Northeast Elementary Kinston | 5.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Northwest Elementary Kinston | 5.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Woodington Middle Kinston | 5.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Kinston High Kinston | 6.1 mi | 4.5 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kinston | 6.9 mi | 5.9 |
| ARENDELL PARROTT ACADEMY Kinston | 7.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Contentnea-Savannah School Kinston | 8.1 mi | 5.7 |
| FIVE POINTS EDUCATION TRAINING CENTER Kinston | 8.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Banks Elementary Kinston | 8.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Lenoir County Learning Academy Kinston | 8.0 mi | 4.0 |
| South Lenoir High Deep Run | 9.0 mi | 5.7 |
| North Lenoir High La Grange | 11.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Moss Hill Elementary Kinston | 10.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Comfort Elementary Comfort | 14.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Grifton Grifton | 13.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Pink Hill Elementary Pink Hill | 13.2 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,650
Median Home Value
$124,500
Median Rent
$905/mo
Population
20,325
College Educated
17.6%
Homeownership
61.9%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Median Age
43.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Banoak Elementary Vale, NC | 6.5 |
| Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville, NC | 6.5 |
| PALISADES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Charlotte, NC | 6.5 |
| Southeast Elementary Kinston, NC | 6.5 |
| Wilton Elementary Franklinton, NC | 6.5 |
| Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville, NC | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwood Elementary
What grades does Southwood Elementary serve?
Southwood Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Southwood Elementary?
Southwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 235 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwood Elementary is 13.1:1. 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 #1,250 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 50% 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?
98.7% 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 235
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lenoir County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.7%
- Phone
- (252) 527-9081
Resources & Links
District
Lenoir County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,372
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,902
- District Rank
- #5 of 17
Other Schools in This District
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