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Average

#1032 of 1,851 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

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,032 of 1,851

In Suffolk

#7 of 19

public schools

In district

#7 of 19

Suffolk City Public Schools

Equity

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Southwestern Elementary

6.1/10

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

Lakeland High

6.1/10

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

Forest Glen Middle

5.4/10

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

About Southwestern Elementary

Southwestern Elementary is a public elementary school in Suffolk, VA, part of Suffolk City Public Schools. Southwestern Elementary serves approximately 609 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwestern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,032 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Southwestern Elementary show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Southwestern 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 Progress6.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency75% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)72% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,431
Chronic Absenteeism15.4%

Southwestern Elementary — Students at Southwestern Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 75.0% (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
97.5%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
71%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
79%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
84%
ELA
80%
2017
ELA
76%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
44%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
63%
2025
Math
80.3%
ELA
74.5%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Southwestern Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
44th percentile in VA
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.4%

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

150 Pioneer Rd, Suffolk, VA 23437

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwestern Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Windsor Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Windsor), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carrsville Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Carrsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kilby Shores Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 6.7 miles away), 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 6.1
Forest Glen Middle Suffolk 5.1 mi 5.4
Carrsville Elementary Carrsville 5.3 mi 7.3
Kilby Shores Elementary Suffolk 6.7 mi 6.0
Windsor High Windsor 8.3 mi 7.5
Georgie D. Tyler Middle Windsor 8.9 mi 6.9
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 4.3
Booker T. Washington Elementary Suffolk 9.7 mi 3.4
King's Fork Middle Suffolk 10.5 mi 4.6
King's Fork High Suffolk 10.5 mi 6.8
Windsor Elementary Windsor 12.4 mi 7.7
S.P. Morton Elementary Franklin 10.3 mi 2.7
Joseph P. King Jr. Middle Franklin 10.4 mi 5.9
John F. Kennedy Middle Suffolk 10.9 mi 5.2
Hillpoint Elementary Suffolk 11.5 mi 3.9
Franklin High Franklin 11.4 mi 5.8
Mack Benn Jr. Elementary Suffolk 12.0 mi 4.3
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Albert Harris Elementary Martinsville, VA 6.1
C.A. Sinclair Elementary Manassas, VA 6.1
Carysbrook Elementary Fork Union, VA 6.1
Countryside Elementary Sterling, VA 6.1
Frederick Douglass Elementary Leesburg, VA 6.1
Joseph Van Pelt Elementary Bristol, VA 6.1

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 ranks #1,032 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Southwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwestern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% 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?

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.4%

District

Suffolk City Public Schools
District Enrollment
14,520
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,431
District Rank
#7 of 19

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