Excellent
#153 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 8% 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
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia elementary schools
#78 of 1,147
In district
#5 of 18
Pittsylvania County Public Schools
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Southside Elementary
Southside Elementary is a public elementary school in Blairs, VA, part of the Pittsylvania County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 422 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 91.8th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 86% proficiency in math, 12 points above the state average and 86% in reading/language arts, 14 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $62,807, where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
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
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Southside Elementary — Students at Southside Elementary score 89% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.5/10.
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 94% (2019) to 88% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 84% (2019) to 90% (2025).
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. Forest Hills Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Danville), with a very similar rating. Another option is SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Danville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Woodberry Hills Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Danville), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.1 |
| G.L.H. Johnson Elementary Danville | 5.1 mi | 2.3 |
| Chatham Middle Chatham | 5.2 mi | 8.7 |
| The Northside Preschool Danville | 5.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Dan River Middle Ringgold | 4.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Dan River High Ringgold | 4.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Kentuck Elementary Ringgold | 4.5 mi | 6.0 |
| 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 | — |
| Woodberry Hills Elementary Danville | 6.1 mi | 7.4 |
| RIVERMONT SCHOOL - DAN RIVER Danville | 6.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Westwood Middle Danville | 6.6 mi | 8.9 |
| O. Trent Bonner Middle Danville | 6.6 mi | 9.1 |
| 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 | 9.2 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Danville | 7.3 mi | 7.8 |
| George Washington High Danville | 7.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Forest Hills Elementary Danville | 8.0 mi | 8.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southside Elementary has a median household income of $62,807. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,900, with a median rent of $893/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Arlington Science Focus School Arlington, VA | 8.4 |
| Campbell Elementary Arlington, VA | 8.4 |
| Colonial Elementary Troutville, VA | 8.4 |
| Critzer Elementary Pulaski, VA | 8.4 |
| J.B. Fisher Elementary Richmond, VA | 8.4 |
| Lemon Road Elementary Falls Church, VA | 8.4 |
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 is ranked #153 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Southside Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Southside Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside Elementary has 85.5% math proficiency and 86.3% 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?
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (434) 836-0006
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pittsylvania County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,860
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,072
- District Rank
- #5 of 18
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
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