Average
#962 of 1,850 schools in VA
Southwestern Elementary
Elementary School · Suffolk City Public Schools
150 Pioneer Rd, Suffolk, VA 23437
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Suffolk
#7 of 18
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#524 of 1,147
In district
#8 of 19
Suffolk City Public Schools
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Southwestern Elementary
Southwestern Elementary, nestled in the rural area of Suffolk, Virginia, is a regular public elementary school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 609 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.9:1, Southwestern Elementary provides personalized attention to help each child succeed. The school boasts 34 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their academic growth.
Southwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 6.0 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking at #832 among Virginia’s 1856 schools, placing it in the 55th percentile statewide. The school shows solid performance in ELA/Reading with 72% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards and a similarly strong showing in Math, where 75% of students are proficient or above. Set against a backdrop of rural Suffolk, Southwestern Elementary is part of a community that values education and supports the growth and development of its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southwestern 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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Southwestern Elementary — Students at Southwestern Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.1%
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: 8.1/10.
How Southwestern Elementary Compares
See how Southwestern Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 80% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 73% (2019) to 75% (2025).
Location
150 Pioneer Rd, Suffolk, VA 23437
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwestern Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carrsville Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Carrsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mack Benn Jr. Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 12.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Windsor Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Windsor), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Suffolk, see our Suffolk schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeland High Suffolk | 5.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Forest Glen Middle Suffolk | 5.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Carrsville Elementary Carrsville | 5.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Kilby Shores Elementary Suffolk | 6.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Windsor High Windsor | 8.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Georgie D. Tyler Middle Windsor | 8.9 mi | 7.5 |
| SUFFOLK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Suffolk | 7.5 mi | 5.5 |
| NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK ACADEMY Suffolk | 8.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Elephant's Fork Elementary Suffolk | 10.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Booker T. Washington Elementary Suffolk | 9.7 mi | 4.3 |
| King's Fork Middle Suffolk | 10.5 mi | 5.9 |
| King's Fork High Suffolk | 10.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Windsor Elementary Windsor | 12.4 mi | 6.4 |
| S.P. Morton Elementary Franklin | 10.3 mi | 2.9 |
| Joseph P. King Jr. Middle Franklin | 10.4 mi | 3.2 |
| John F. Kennedy Middle Suffolk | 10.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Hillpoint Elementary Suffolk | 11.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 11.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Mack Benn Jr. Elementary Suffolk | 12.0 mi | 6.6 |
| ROCK CHURCH SCHOOL Franklin | 12.0 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23437 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,513
Median Home Value
$287,300
Median Rent
$999/mo
Population
5,088
College Educated
21.6%
Homeownership
82.2%
Avg Commute
41.6 min
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwestern Elementary has a median household income of $74,513. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,300, with a median rent of $999/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 42 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Armel Elementary Winchester, VA | 6.4 |
| B.C. Charles Elementary Newport News, VA | 6.4 |
| Bennett Elementary Manassas, VA | 6.4 |
| Bethel Manor Elementary Langley A F B, VA | 6.4 |
| Bettie Weaver Elementary Midlothian, VA | 6.4 |
| Burlington Elementary Roanoke, VA | 6.4 |
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 609 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwestern Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwestern Elementary is 17.9:1. 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 #962 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Southwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwestern Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Southwestern Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwestern Elementary has 75.3% math proficiency and 72.3% 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?
68.1% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,953/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Suffolk). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 609
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Suffolk city
- Phone
- (757) 925-5782
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Suffolk City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,520
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,431
- District Rank
- #8 of 19
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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