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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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.71 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Math vs. State Avg-26.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-16.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,198

Southside Elementary School — Students at Southside Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 14.6%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 20.3%
School
State
58.8%

Based on 11 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
12.8%
ELA
19.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in NY
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
82 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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