Very Good
#385 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 21% in state
Southwestern Elementary
Elementary School · Chesapeake City Public Schools
4410 Airline Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23321
Enrollment
550
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
550
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chesapeake
#12 of 45
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#217 of 1,147
In district
#12 of 45
Chesapeake City Public Schools
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwestern Elementary
Southwestern Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Chesapeake, Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 550 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, providing a relatively personalized learning environment with 37 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a large city setting, Southwestern Elementary offers a solid academic foundation, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and state ranking of #707 out of 1856 schools in Virginia (placing it at the 62nd percentile).
In terms of specific subject performance, 64% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 76% achieve proficiency or better in math. With room for academic growth and a focus on student development, Southwestern Elementary is situated in the heart of Chesapeake's dynamic urban environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Southwestern Elementary — Students at Southwestern Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.9%
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: 9.4/10.
How Southwestern Elementary Compares
See how Southwestern Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 78% (2019) to 83% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 66% (2019) to 66% (2025).
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 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), with a comparable rating. Additionally, TORAS CHAIM (rated 6.1/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), a more accessible option. 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 | 8.5 |
| Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth | 2.0 mi | 2.4 |
| STONEBRIDGE SCHOOL Chesapeake | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Manor High Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Lakeview Elementary Portsmouth | 1.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
| TINKER BELL DAYCARE Portsmouth | 2.7 mi | — |
| William E. Waters Middle Portsmouth | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth | 3.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake | 3.8 mi | 5.8 |
| ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake | 3.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Western Branch Primary Chesapeake | 3.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Western Branch High Chesapeake | 3.9 mi | 6.3 |
| PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Portsmouth | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Camelot Elementary Chesapeake | 3.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Western Branch Middle Chesapeake | 4.1 mi | 6.9 |
| TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth | 4.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Deep Creek High Chesapeake | 3.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Deep Creek Elementary Chesapeake | 4.0 mi | 6.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwestern Elementary has a median household income of $98,257. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $352,000, with a median rent of $1,434/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Archer Elementary Vienna, VA | 7.6 |
| Armstrong Elementary Reston, VA | 7.6 |
| Bush Hill Elementary Alexandria, VA | 7.6 |
| Crestview Elementary Richmond, VA | 7.6 |
| Goodview Elementary Goodview, VA | 7.6 |
| Hayfield Elementary Alexandria, VA | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #385 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Southwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwestern Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Southwestern Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwestern Elementary has 76.3% math proficiency and 63.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 6 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 24 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 28 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,087/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chesapeake). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (757) 465-6310
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chesapeake City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 40,576
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,274
- District Rank
- #12 of 45
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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