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Excellent

#41 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 2% in state

Southside Elementary

Elementary School · Pittsylvania County Public Schools

440 East Witt Rd, Blairs, VA 24527

Enrollment

422

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#41 of 1,851

In district

#3 of 18

Pittsylvania County Public Schools

Equity

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Southside Elementary

9.2/10

Elementary School in Blairs · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

The Hughes Center

Nearby

3.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Twin Springs Elementary

8.0/10

3.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Southside Elementary

Southside Elementary is a public elementary school in Blairs, VA, part of Pittsylvania County Public Schools. Southside Elementary serves approximately 422 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Southside Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #41 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Southside Elementary show 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 9.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.3
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Southside Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency88% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency90% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+14.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency89% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+21.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,072
Chronic Absenteeism13.7%

Southside Elementary — Students at Southside Elementary score 89% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 82.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
88%
ELA
80%
2015
Math
94%
ELA
86%
2016
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2017
ELA
81%
2018
Math
94%
ELA
84%
2019
Math
94%
ELA
84%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
88%
ELA
89.3%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Southside Elementary Compares

See how Southside Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.2/10
98th percentile in VA
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

440 East Witt Rd, Blairs, VA 24527

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southside Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kentuck Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Ringgold), with a comparable rating. Another option is Twin Springs Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Danville), a more accessible option. Additionally, SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Danville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Blairs, see our Blairs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
THE HUGHES CENTER Danville 3.4 mi
Twin Springs Elementary Danville 3.0 mi 8.0
G.L.H. Johnson Elementary Danville 5.1 mi 2.0
Chatham Middle Chatham 5.2 mi 8.8
The Northside Preschool Danville 5.1 mi 5.1
Dan River Middle Ringgold 4.4 mi 8.3
Dan River High Ringgold 4.4 mi 6.6
Kentuck Elementary Ringgold 4.5 mi 8.7
BUILDING BLOCKS CENTER FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM Danville 5.5 mi
R.I.S.E Academy at the John M. Langston Campus Danville 6.2 mi 3.7
Woodberry Hills Elementary Danville 6.1 mi 3.8
RIVERMONT SCHOOL - DAN RIVER Danville 6.1 mi 5.7
Westwood Middle Danville 6.6 mi 4.2
O. Trent Bonner Middle Danville 6.6 mi 4.8
Chatham High Chatham 7.0 mi 6.6
ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Danville 6.8 mi 5.4
Galileo Magnet High Danville 7.3 mi 9.5
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Danville 7.3 mi 7.8
George Washington High Danville 7.4 mi 4.8
Forest Hills Elementary Danville 8.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24527 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,807

Median Home Value

$135,900

Median Rent

$893/mo

Population

3,190

College Educated

11.6%

Homeownership

83.8%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

38.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Brownsville Elementary Crozet, VA 9.2
Harrington Waddell Elementary Lexington, VA 9.2
Tuckahoe Elementary Arlington, VA 9.2
Windsor Woods Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 9.2
Colonial Elementary Troutville, VA 9.1
Discovery Elementary Arlington, VA 9.1

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 422 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Southside Elementary is 12.4:1. 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 ranks #41 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Southside Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Southside Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Southside Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southside Elementary has 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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?

85.3% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Pittsylvania County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.7%

District

Pittsylvania County Public Schools
District Enrollment
7,860
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,072
District Rank
#3 of 18

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