Average
#828 of 1,176 schools in SC
Northwest Elementary
Elementary School · Cherokee 01
840 Green River Road, Gaffney, SC 29341
Enrollment
425
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
425
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gaffney
#5 of 11
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#466 of 680
In district
#7 of 14
Cherokee 01
About Northwest Elementary
Northwest Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural area of Gaffney, South Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 425 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1. Northwest Elementary prides itself on having 29 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting the academic needs of their young learners.
The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.6 out of 10, reflecting that there is room for improvement in terms of overall educational performance. State rankings place it at number 814 out of 1192 schools across South Carolina, placing it around the 32nd percentile. Northwest Elementary's academic score is 5.7 out of 10, with 50% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in ELA/reading and 49% doing so in math.
Northwest Elementary focuses on student development and provides a supportive learning environment within its rural setting. The school community is committed to nurturing the growth and well-being of each child, ensuring that they receive the necessary tools to succeed both academically and personally as they navigate their early years of schooling.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwest 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Northwest Elementary — Students at Northwest Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC 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: 4.3/10.
How Northwest Elementary Compares
See how Northwest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 50% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
840 Green River Road, Gaffney, SC 29341
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cliffside Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Cliffside), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cannons Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Spartanburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cowpens Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Cowpens), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gaffney, see our Gaffney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gaffney High Gaffney | 5.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Mayo Elementary Mayo | 5.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Cowpens Elementary Cowpens | 6.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Chesnee Middle Chesnee | 5.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Grassy Pond Elementary Gaffney | 5.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Chesnee High Chesnee | 5.9 mi | 5.8 |
| B. D. Lee Elementary Gaffney | 6.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Limestone-Central Elementary Gaffney | 6.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Chesnee Elementary Chesnee | 7.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Luther L. Vaughan Elementary Gaffney | 7.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Gaffney Middle Gaffney | 7.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Cannons Elementary Spartanburg | 8.5 mi | 8.8 |
| John E. Ewing Middle Gaffney | 8.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Broome High Spartanburg | 9.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Cliffside Elementary School Cliffside | 9.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Clifdale Middle Spartanburg | 9.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Corinth Elementary Gaffney | 9.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Carlisle-Foster's Grove Elementary Chesnee | 8.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Cherokee Charter Academy Gaffney | 9.2 mi | 6.8 |
| McCracken Middle Spartanburg | 10.7 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29341 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,631
Median Home Value
$171,300
Median Rent
$857/mo
Population
19,564
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest Elementary has a median household income of $55,631. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,300, with a median rent of $857/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Arcadia Elementary Spartanburg, SC | 5.4 |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia, SC | 5.4 |
| E.B. Ellington Elementary Ravenel, SC | 5.4 |
| Luther L. Vaughan Elementary Gaffney, SC | 5.4 |
| Philip Simmons Elementary Wando, SC | 5.4 |
| Boundary St. Elementary Newberry, SC | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest Elementary
What grades does Northwest Elementary serve?
Northwest Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Northwest Elementary?
Northwest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 425 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest Elementary rank in SC?
Northwest Elementary is ranked #828 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Northwest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Northwest Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest Elementary has 48.7% math proficiency and 49.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwest Elementary a charter school?
No, Northwest Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest Elementary a Title I school?
No, Northwest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest Elementary?
73.6% of students at Northwest 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
- City Safety
- High (4,436/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gaffney). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 425
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Phone
- (864) 206-6727
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cherokee 01- District Enrollment
- 7,712
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,668
- District Rank
- #7 of 14
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 methodologyGet 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.