Very Good
#273 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 23% in state
Southwood Academy for the Arts
Middle School · Anderson 05
1110 Southwood Street, Anderson, SC 29624
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Anderson
#7 of 22
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#15 of 249
In district
#5 of 19
Anderson 05
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwood Academy for the Arts
Southwood Academy for the Arts stands out as an exceptional middle school serving 389 students in grades 6-8 in Anderson, South Carolina. This regular public school has earned remarkable recognition, ranking #11 out of 1,192 schools statewide and achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10, placing it in the 99th percentile for academic performance. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.1 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention and instruction.
Academic achievement is impressive, with 74% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 68% reaching proficiency in Mathematics. These strong results reflect the school's commitment to educational excellence despite serving a community facing economic challenges. The school operates within the 29624 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $29,953 and the poverty rate reaches 33.7%.
Only 7% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median home value sits at $75,900. Despite these socioeconomic factors, Southwood Academy for the Arts demonstrates that dedicated educators and focused instruction can produce outstanding academic outcomes. The school is situated in Anderson, a small city environment that provides both community feel and educational opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Southwood Academy for the Arts — Students at Southwood Academy for the Arts score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.3%
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: 5.7/10.
How Southwood Academy for the Arts Compares
See how Southwood Academy for the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 68% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 76% (2019) to 74% (2022).
Location
1110 Southwood Street, Anderson, SC 29624
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwood Academy for the Arts may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. McCants Middle (rated 8.0/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Robert Anderson Middle (rated 6.5/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Anderson, see our Anderson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson Five Charter School Anderson | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| West Market School of Early Education Anderson | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| OAKWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Anderson | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Robert Anderson Middle Anderson | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Homeland Park Primary Anderson | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Varennes Elementary Anderson | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL Anderson | 2.1 mi | — |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Anderson | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Westside High Anderson | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Whitehall Elementary Anderson | 2.9 mi | 7.4 |
| New Prospect Elementary Anderson | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Concord Elementary Anderson | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Anderson | 3.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Calhoun Academy of the Arts Anderson | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| McCants Middle Anderson | 3.3 mi | 8.0 |
| The South Carolina Preparatory Academy Anderson | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Centerville Elementary Anderson | 3.7 mi | 7.0 |
| NEW COVENANT SCHOOL Anderson | 3.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Nevitt Forest Elementary Anderson | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ANDERSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Anderson | 4.7 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29624 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$31,808
Median Home Value
$80,100
Median Rent
$778/mo
Population
14,490
College Educated
7.9%
Homeownership
51.6%
Avg Commute
25.6 min
Poverty Rate
34.4%
Median Age
34.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwood Academy for the Arts has a median household income of $31,808. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $80,100, with a median rent of $778/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairfield Middle Winnsboro, SC | 7.3 |
| Inman Intermediate Inman, SC | 7.3 |
| Honea Path Middle Honea Path, SC | 7.6 |
| St. George Middle St. George, SC | 7.6 |
| Hampton Elementary Hampton, SC | 7.2 |
| New Ellenton STEAM Magnet Middle New Ellenton, SC | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwood Academy for the Arts
What grades does Southwood Academy for the Arts serve?
Southwood Academy for the Arts serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southwood Academy for the Arts?
Southwood Academy for the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 389 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwood Academy for the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwood Academy for the Arts is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwood Academy for the Arts rank in SC?
Southwood Academy for the Arts is ranked #273 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Southwood Academy for the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwood Academy for the Arts has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Southwood Academy for the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwood Academy for the Arts has 69.7% math proficiency and 73.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwood Academy for the Arts a charter school?
No, Southwood Academy for the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwood Academy for the Arts a Title I school?
No, Southwood Academy for the Arts is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwood Academy for the Arts?
55.3% of students at Southwood Academy for the Arts 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Anderson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 389
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Anderson County
- Phone
- (864) 260-5205
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Anderson 05- District Enrollment
- 12,478
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,515
- District Rank
- #5 of 19
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.
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