Excellent
#254 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 10% 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
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kinston
#2 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#226 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 17
Lenoir County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwood Elementary
Southwood Elementary is a public elementary school in Kinston, NC, part of the Lenoir County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 235 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 90.4th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 48% proficiency in math, 11 points below the state average and 47% in reading/language arts, 6 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,650, where 18% 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 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 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: 8.7/10.
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 32% (2019) to 57.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52.9% (2025).
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. Moss Hill Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 10.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Comfort Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Comfort), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pink Hill Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Pink Hill), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.0 |
| Southeast Elementary Kinston | 3.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Rochelle Middle Kinston | 3.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Children's Village Academy Kinston | 4.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Northeast Elementary Kinston | 5.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Northwest Elementary Kinston | 5.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Woodington Middle Kinston | 5.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Kinston High Kinston | 6.1 mi | 5.4 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| FIVE POINTS EDUCATION TRAINING CENTER Kinston | 8.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Banks Elementary Kinston | 8.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Lenoir County Learning Academy Kinston | 8.0 mi | 5.7 |
| South Lenoir High Deep Run | 9.0 mi | 3.6 |
| North Lenoir High La Grange | 11.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Moss Hill Elementary Kinston | 10.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Comfort Elementary Comfort | 14.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Grifton Grifton | 13.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Pink Hill Elementary Pink Hill | 13.2 mi | 8.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwood Elementary has a median household income of $50,650. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $124,500, with a median rent of $905/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Allenbrook Elementary Charlotte, NC | 8.4 |
| Blue Ridge School Cashiers, NC | 8.4 |
| Bluford Elementary Greensboro, NC | 8.4 |
| East Bend Elementary East Bend, NC | 8.4 |
| Mabel Elementary Zionville, NC | 8.4 |
| Moravian Falls Elementary School Moravian Falls, NC | 8.4 |
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 is ranked #254 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwood Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 48.3% math proficiency and 46.9% 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?
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kinston). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (252) 527-9081
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lenoir County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,372
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,902
- District Rank
- #3 of 17
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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