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Average

#865 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 47% in state

Southwestern Elementary

Elementary School · Chesapeake City Public Schools

4410 Airline Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Enrollment

550

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#865 of 1,851

In Chesapeake

#31 of 45

public schools

In district

#31 of 45

Chesapeake City Public Schools

Equity

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Southwestern Elementary

6.5/10

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

Jolliff Middle

7.5/10

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

Edwin W. Chittum Elementary

7.7/10

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

About Southwestern Elementary

Southwestern Elementary is a public elementary school in Chesapeake, VA, part of Chesapeake City Public Schools. Southwestern Elementary serves approximately 550 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwestern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #865 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Southwestern Elementary show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+9.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,274
Chronic Absenteeism23.1%

Southwestern Elementary — Students at Southwestern Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 70.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 67.5% (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
94%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2017
ELA
67%
2018
Math
78%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
78%
ELA
66%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
83.3%
ELA
66.3%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Southwestern Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in VA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.1%

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

4410 Airline Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwestern Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edwin W. Chittum Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deep Creek Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Western Branch Intermediate (rated 7.2/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chesapeake, see our Chesapeake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Jolliff Middle Chesapeake 0.7 mi 7.5
Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake 1.4 mi 7.7
Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth 2.0 mi 2.4
STONEBRIDGE SCHOOL Chesapeake 1.9 mi 6.6
Manor High Portsmouth 2.1 mi 5.4
Lakeview Elementary Portsmouth 1.9 mi 3.4
Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth 2.8 mi 2.5
TINKER BELL DAYCARE Portsmouth 2.7 mi
William E. Waters Middle Portsmouth 2.7 mi 5.0
Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth 3.3 mi 4.1
Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake 3.8 mi 7.2
ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake 3.8 mi 4.6
Western Branch Primary Chesapeake 3.8 mi 5.9
Western Branch High Chesapeake 3.9 mi 7.1
PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Portsmouth 3.4 mi 6.8
Camelot Elementary Chesapeake 3.3 mi 6.7
Western Branch Middle Chesapeake 4.1 mi 7.0
TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth 4.2 mi 6.1
Deep Creek High Chesapeake 3.9 mi 7.1
Deep Creek Elementary Chesapeake 4.0 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,257

Median Home Value

$352,000

Median Rent

$1,434/mo

Population

39,469

College Educated

39.1%

Homeownership

77.3%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

37.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alfred S. Forrest Elementary Hampton, VA 6.5
C. Hunter Ritchie Elementary New Baltimore, VA 6.5
Claremont Immersion Arlington, VA 6.5
Colonial Trail Elementary Glen Allen, VA 6.5
D.J. Montague Elementary Williamsburg, VA 6.5
Drewry Mason Elementary Ridgeway, VA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwestern Elementary

What grades does Southwestern Elementary serve?

Southwestern Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Southwestern Elementary?

Southwestern Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 550 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwestern Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwestern Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwestern Elementary rank in VA?

Southwestern Elementary ranks #865 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Southwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwestern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Southwestern Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwestern Elementary has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Southwestern Elementary a charter school?

No, Southwestern Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southwestern Elementary a Title I school?

No, Southwestern Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwestern Elementary?

82.9% of students at Southwestern 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
6 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
550
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Chesapeake city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.1%

District

Chesapeake City Public Schools
District Enrollment
40,576
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,274
District Rank
#31 of 45

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