Needs Improvement
#1805 of 1,850 schools in VA
Southside Elementary
Elementary School · Dinwiddie County Public Schools
10305 Boydton Plank Rd, Dinwiddie, VA 23841
Enrollment
468
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
2.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
468
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
2.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dinwiddie
#4 of 4
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#1,104 of 1,147
In district
#7 of 7
Dinwiddie County Public Schools
About Southside Elementary
Southside Elementary, located in Dinwiddie, Virginia, is a regular public elementary school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 468 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, Southside provides a relatively small classroom setting for personalized learning experiences. The school has 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its students.
Academically, Southside Elementary is ranked in the bottom tenth percentile among Virginia's schools, with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 62% and Math proficiency at 59%. While these scores suggest there is room for academic growth, they also reflect a focus on student development and support. The school’s location in a rural area near Dinwiddie provides a close-knit community setting where students can engage with nature and local resources.
Southside Elementary sits amidst the small-town charm of Dinwiddie, offering its students a unique blend of educational opportunities and community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southside 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
Southside Elementary — Students at Southside Elementary score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA 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: 1.8/10.
How Southside Elementary Compares
See how Southside Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 56% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 59% (2025).
Location
10305 Boydton Plank Rd, Dinwiddie, VA 23841
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Colonial Heights), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakeview Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Colonial Heights), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Midway Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Church Road), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dinwiddie, see our Dinwiddie schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| RIVERMONT SCHOOL - GREATER PETERSBURG Dinwiddie | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Dinwiddie County High Dinwiddie | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Dinwiddie County Middle Dinwiddie | 3.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Sutherland Elementary Sutherland | 4.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Dinwiddie Elementary Dinwiddie | 4.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Midway Elementary Church Road | 6.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Matoaca Elementary South Chesterfield | 7.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Matoaca Middle Matoaca | 8.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Pleasants Lane Elementary Petersburg | 8.1 mi | 2.9 |
| Westview Early Childhood Education Center Petersburg | 8.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Cool Spring Elementary Petersburg | 8.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Petersburg High Petersburg | 8.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Vernon Johns Middle Petersburg | 8.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Ettrick Elementary Ettrick | 9.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Matoaca High Chesterfield | 10.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Walnut Hill Elementary Petersburg | 9.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Colonial Heights Middle Colonial Heights | 11.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Lakeview Elementary Colonial Heights | 11.5 mi | 7.2 |
| North Elementary Colonial Heights | 12.1 mi | 8.0 |
| BREC ACADEMY Petersburg | 10.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23841 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,487
Median Home Value
$258,900
Median Rent
$1,252/mo
Population
2,938
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
90%
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Median Age
44.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southside Elementary has a median household income of $68,487. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,900, with a median rent of $1,252/month. The local poverty rate of 2.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Agnor-Hurt Elementary Charlottesville, VA | 2.9 |
| Clark Elementary Charlottesville, VA | 2.9 |
| Livingston Elementary Spotsylvania, VA | 2.9 |
| Pleasants Lane Elementary Petersburg, VA | 2.9 |
| Riverside Elementary Newport News, VA | 2.9 |
| S.P. Morton Elementary Franklin, VA | 2.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southside Elementary
What grades does Southside Elementary serve?
Southside Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Southside Elementary?
Southside Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 468 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Southside Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southside Elementary rank in VA?
Southside Elementary is ranked #1805 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Southside Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Elementary has a composite rating of 2.9 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?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside Elementary has 59.3% math proficiency and 62.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southside Elementary a charter school?
No, Southside Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southside Elementary a Title I school?
No, Southside Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside Elementary?
90.4% of students at Southside 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,136/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 468
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 90.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Dinwiddie County
- Phone
- (804) 469-4480
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dinwiddie County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,256
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,552
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
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 methodologyRelated reading
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.