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Very Good

#224 of 966 schools in NE

Top 23% in state

Southwest High School

High School · LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

7001 S 14TH ST, Lincoln, NE 68512

Enrollment

2,049

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

7.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lincoln

#6 of 61

public schools

Nebraska high schools

#57 of 263

In district

#6 of 60

LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Southwest High School

Southwest High School serves 2,049 students in grades 9-12 in Lincoln, Nebraska, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 106 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1, providing a substantial learning environment where students can access diverse course offerings and extracurricular opportunities. Academically, Southwest High School demonstrates solid performance with 63% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 64% in mathematics.

The school ranks #295 out of 974 Nebraska high schools, placing it in the 70th percentile statewide. This consistent performance across core subjects reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. The school draws from a well-established neighborhood where the median household income reaches $99,583 and 51% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding community in the 68512 area shows economic stability with a low poverty rate of 6.6% and median home values of $282,000, creating a supportive environment for educational achievement. Located on South 14th Street in Lincoln, Southwest High School sits within Nebraska's capital city, offering students access to the cultural, academic, and professional opportunities that come with an urban setting while maintaining the community feel that characterizes much of the Midwest.

What Parents Should Know

Southwest High School is a large school with 2,049 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63%
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+16.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation35.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,831

Southwest High School — Students at Southwest High School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
63%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Southwest High School Compares

See how Southwest High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
77th percentile in NE
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers

Location

7001 S 14TH ST, Lincoln, NE 68512

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwest High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is BEATTIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PRESCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 3.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lincoln, see our Lincoln schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
SCOTT MIDDLE SCHOOL Lincoln 0.7 mi 7.2
ADAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 0.9 mi 7.1
HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 1.6 mi 5.3
CAVETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 1.9 mi 6.8
ST MARK EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lincoln 2.5 mi 5.3
BEATTIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 2.6 mi 7.8
IRVING MIDDLE SCHOOL Lincoln 3.2 mi 4.7
ROUSSEAU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 3.0 mi 7.6
ST PETER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lincoln 2.6 mi 6.6
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Lincoln 3.4 mi 8.2
HUMANN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 2.6 mi 6.1
SARATOGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 3.5 mi 4.3
POUND MIDDLE SCHOOL Lincoln 3.0 mi 6.6
CATHEDRAL OF THE RISEN CHRIST SCHOOL Lincoln 3.3 mi 6.7
PRESCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 3.8 mi 7.7
SHERIDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 3.7 mi 7.6
LINCOLN SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL Lincoln 3.6 mi 7.4
CALVERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 3.5 mi 6.5
TRINITY KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM Lincoln 4.1 mi
ZEMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln 3.4 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68512 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,828

Median Home Value

$295,900

Median Rent

$1,242/mo

Population

13,668

College Educated

51.2%

Homeownership

65.1%

Avg Commute

20.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southwest High School has a median household income of $101,828. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,900, with a median rent of $1,242/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
BELLEVUE WEST SR HIGH SCHOOL Bellevue, NE 7.6
LINCOLN EAST HIGH SCHOOL Lincoln, NE 7.7
LINCOLN SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL Lincoln, NE 7.4
PAPILLION LA VISTA SENIOR HIGH Papillion, NE 7.4
BELLEVUE EAST SR HIGH SCHOOL Bellevue, NE 7.3
MILLARD WEST HIGH SCHOOL Omaha, NE 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwest High School

What grades does Southwest High School serve?

Southwest High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Southwest High School?

Southwest High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,049 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest High School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwest High School rank in NE?

Southwest High School is ranked #224 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Southwest High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest High School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Southwest High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest High School has 63.7% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southwest High School a charter school?

No, Southwest High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southwest High School a Title I school?

No, Southwest High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest High School?

26.6% of students at Southwest High School 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
42 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,817/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lincoln). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,049
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
106
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Lancaster County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
41,654
Schools in District
78
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,573
District Rank
#6 of 60

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 methodology

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