Below Average
#3931 of 4,739 schools in NY
Southside Elementary School
Elementary School · BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
430 SOUTHSIDE PKWY, Buffalo, NY 14210
Enrollment
809
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
809
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#37 of 84
public schools
New York elementary schools
#2,066 of 2,549
In district
#29 of 59
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Southside Elementary School
Southside Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Buffalo's large city setting. With 809 students and 82 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, providing a relatively close instructional environment. The school faces significant academic challenges.
Statewide, it ranks in the 23rd percentile among New York schools, with proficiency rates notably below state averages: 20% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 15% meet proficiency benchmarks in Math. These results indicate the school is working with a student population with substantial room for academic growth and development. Located at 430 Southside Parkway, Southside Elementary operates as a regular public school within the Buffalo public school system and serves the surrounding neighborhood in Erie County.
For families considering this school, understanding these performance metrics can help set appropriate expectations and identify where additional academic support might benefit students. The school's lower student-teacher ratio compared to some larger schools may offer some advantage in terms of individual attention, though current outcomes suggest the school would benefit from strengthened instructional approaches.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Southside Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Southside Elementary School — Students at Southside Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 11 test records from NY 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: 4.7/10.
How Southside Elementary School Compares
See how Southside Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
430 SOUTHSIDE PKWY, Buffalo, NY 14210
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BAKER ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Lackawanna), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 27 HILLERY PARK ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LORRAINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTH PARK HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.6 mi | 4.5 |
| PS 27 HILLERY PARK ACADEMY Buffalo | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| BISHOP TIMON-ST JUDE HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| PS 69 HOUGHTON ACADEMY Buffalo | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| LORRAINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| MOUNT MERCY ACADEMY Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| SOUTH BUFFALO CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| WESTERN NEW YORK MARITIME CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| DISCOVERY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| BILINGUAL CENTER Buffalo | 1.4 mi | 4.0 |
| NOTRE DAME ACADEMY Buffalo | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| LOVEJOY DISCOVERY SCHOOL #43 Buffalo | 2.1 mi | 3.4 |
| BAKER ACADEMY Lackawanna | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| GLOBAL CONCEPTS CHARTER SCHOOL Lackawanna | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| OUR LADY OF VICTORY SCHOOL Lackawanna | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| HARRIET ROSS TUBMAN ACADEMY Buffalo | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| ERIE 1 BOCES West Seneca | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| BUFFALO CREEK ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| DARUL ULOOM AL MADANIA Buffalo | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| WINCHESTER-POTTERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Seneca | 2.4 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 14210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,059
Median Home Value
$124,300
Median Rent
$925/mo
Population
15,454
College Educated
18.9%
Homeownership
45.8%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
24.7%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southside Elementary School has a median household income of $51,059. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $124,300, with a median rent of $925/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| BENNETT PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Buffalo, NY | 4.8 |
| BRILLA VERITAS CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx, NY | 4.8 |
| LORETTA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brentwood, NY | 4.8 |
| NORTH MAIN STREET SCHOOL Monroe, NY | 4.8 |
| PADDY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rochester, NY | 4.8 |
| PS 105 BAY SCHOOL (THE) Far Rockaway, NY | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southside Elementary School
What grades does Southside Elementary School serve?
Southside Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Southside Elementary School?
Southside Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 809 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southside Elementary School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southside Elementary School rank in NY?
Southside Elementary School is ranked #3931 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Southside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Southside Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside Elementary School has 14.6% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southside Elementary School a charter school?
No, Southside Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southside Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Southside Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside Elementary School?
89.0% of students at Southside Elementary 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,549/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 809
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 82
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Erie County
- Phone
- (716) 816-4818
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 29,866
- Schools in District
- 61
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,022
- District Rank
- #29 of 59
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
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.