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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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,030

Northwest Elementary — Students at Northwest Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
52%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.4/10
30th percentile in SC
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cherokee 01
District Enrollment
7,712
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,668
District Rank
#7 of 14

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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