Southwest Elementary School

Summary:

Southwest Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 766 students in grades PK-5 in Savannah, Georgia, which is part of the Savannah-Chatham County School District. However, the school consistently underperforms compared to the district and state averages on standardized tests, ranking in the bottom quarter of Georgia elementary schools for the past several years.

Southwest Elementary School has maintained a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of the past decade, indicating it is among the lowest-performing schools in the state. Only 22.1% of 3rd graders, 18.9% of 4th graders, and 33.3% of 5th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts in the 2023-2024 school year, compared to 30.7%, 29.4%, and 37.4% for the district, respectively. The school also has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 74.26% to 79.11% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the district and state averages.

When comparing Southwest Elementary to other nearby schools in the Savannah-Chatham County district, such as West Chatham Elementary, Windsor Forest Elementary, and Gould Elementary, it consistently underperforms, with higher proficiency rates on the Milestones Assessments and higher school rankings. The high percentage of economically disadvantaged students at Southwest Elementary may be a contributing factor to the school's low academic performance, and despite being a 1-star school for most of the past decade, the school has not shown significant improvement over time.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

6020 Ogeechee Rd
Savannah, GA 31419

(912) 395-3300

District: Savannah-Chatham County

SchoolDigger Rank:
980^th of 1,248 Georgia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,943

Students who attend Southwest Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:

Southwest Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.1

Number of students: 729

Racial breakdown:

African American:

52.8%

Hispanic:

23.3%

White:

12.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 81.8%

See top rated Georgia elementary schools

Compare Southwest Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Southwest Elementary School ranks worse than 78.5% of elementary schools in Georgia. It also ranks 22^nd among 32 ranked elementary schools in the Savannah-Chatham County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.07. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Southwest Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (52.8%), Hispanic (23.3%), White (12.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 81.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southwest Elementary School is 15.1. 28 elementary schools in the Savannah-Chatham County School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Southwest Elementary School employs 48 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southwest Elementary School is $8,943. 29 elementary schools in the Savannah-Chatham County School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Southwest Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Savannah-Chatham County:

SchoolDigger ranks Savannah-Chatham County 128^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Southwest Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	48.06	657^th	1101	40.3%
2007	49.42	661^st	1125	41.2%
2008	25.90	939^th	1134	17.2%
2009	45.12	713^th	1133	37.1%
2010	41.77	802^nd	1183	32.2%
2011	40.16	843^rd	1212	30.4%
2012	40.58	845^th	1201	29.6%
2013	41.71	859^th	1225	29.9%
2014	58.67	609^th	1231	50.5%
2015	31.46	847^th	1240	31.7%
2016	23.09	948^th	1233	23.1%
2017	16.92	1020^th	1205	15.4%
2018	19.79	982^nd	1209	18.8%
2019	18.49	1022^nd	1234	17.2%
2021	18.15	992^nd	1214	18.3%
2022	24.31	930^th	1244	25.2%
2023	26.77	889^th	1242	28.4%
2024	22.07	980^th	1248	21.5%

See the entire list of Georgia Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a teacher
Sunday, September 21, 2014

Great school with great kids and motivated teachers. It is a great place that prepares students for their future success. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Southwest Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2000	283	237	9	33	0	n/a	n/a	0	562
2001	290	270	11	36	6	n/a	n/a	0	613
2002	282	273	12	28	5	n/a	n/a	0	600
2003	282	273	12	28	5	n/a	n/a	0	600
2004	289	330	13	41	4	n/a	n/a	0	677
2005	288	344	14	55	3	n/a	n/a	33	737
2006	268	381	8	58	4	n/a	n/a	35	754
2007	280	372	8	54	3	n/a	n/a	44	761
2008	246	375	6	52	3	n/a	n/a	51	733
2009	245	405	14	69	4	n/a	n/a	65	802
2010	239	436	19	87	2	3	2	0	788
2011	238	371	20	78	5	5	47	0	764
2012	229	375	19	68	4	4	41	0	740
2013	253	411	20	66	5	6	50	0	811
2014	242	424	10	68	3	4	59	0	810
2015	215	419	13	90	2	2	59	0	800
2016	215	429	14	96	3	3	54	0	814
2017	195	458	21	119	1	3	55	0	852
2018	167	423	15	124	2	4	39	0	774
2019	164	428	18	152	3	0	47	0	812
2020	136	451	24	131	3	3	44	0	792
2021	119	395	25	127	4	4	37	0	711
2022	117	379	24	129	5	6	50	0	710
2023	130	402	25	139	4	5	61	0	766
2024	90	385	20	170	6	4	54	0	729

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Southwest Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2000	562	28.5	19.7	42.5
2001	613	27.3	22.5	43.9
2002	600	31.5	19.0	43.8
2003	600	31.5	19.0	43.8
2004	677	43.0	15.7	46.5
2005	737	49.9	14.8	50.4
2006	754	50.5	14.9	55.2
2007	761	53.0	14.4	57.3
2008	733	53.5	13.7	59.1
2009	802	57.5	13.9	62.6
2010	788	54.6	14.4	69.7
2011	764	52.5	14.5	61.3
2012	740	49.0	15.1	58.6
2013	811	47.0	17.2	61
2014	810	49.0	16.5	64.4
2015	800	53.0	15.0	68.4
2016	814	51.0	15.9	68.1
2017	852	50.0	17.0	61.7
2018	774	46.0	16.8	52.2
2019	812	45.3	17.9	73
2020	792	47.0	16.8	73.2
2021	711	45.0	15.8	74.3
2022	710	46.5	15.2	n/a
2023	766	47.2	16.2	79.1
2024	729	48.0	15.1	81.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Southwest Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2000	562	28.5	19.7	42.5
2001	613	27.3	22.5	43.9
2002	600	31.5	19.0	43.8
2003	600	31.5	19.0	43.8
2004	677	43.0	15.7	46.5
2005	737	49.9	14.8	50.4
2006	754	50.5	14.9	55.2
2007	761	53.0	14.4	57.3
2008	733	53.5	13.7	59.1
2009	802	57.5	13.9	62.6
2010	788	54.6	14.4	69.7
2011	764	52.5	14.5	61.3
2012	740	49.0	15.1	58.6
2013	811	47.0	17.2	61
2014	810	49.0	16.5	64.4
2015	800	53.0	15.0	68.4
2016	814	51.0	15.9	68.1
2017	852	50.0	17.0	61.7
2018	774	46.0	16.8	52.2
2019	812	45.3	17.9	73
2020	792	47.0	16.8	73.2
2021	711	45.0	15.8	74.3
2022	710	46.5	15.2	n/a
2023	766	47.2	16.2	79.1
2024	729	48.0	15.1	81.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Southwest Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$607 (6.9%)	$8,166 (93.1%)	$8,773
2018	$622 (6.6%)	$8,734 (93.4%)	$9,355
2019	$422 (4.7%)	$8,521 (95.3%)	$8,942

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southwest Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1022^nd of 1234 Elementary schools	Ranks 889^th of 1242 Elementary schools	11.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Elementary School)	22.5	22.2	0.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Savannah-Chatham County)	28.1	29.5	1.4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	38.6	3.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Southwest Elementary School)	29.2	32.1	2.9%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Savannah-Chatham County)	39.6	36.9	2.7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	52	45.6	6.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Elementary School)	23.5	21.1	2.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Savannah-Chatham County)	28.5	23.6	4.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	36.1	5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Elementary School)	39.8	28.1	11.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Savannah-Chatham County)	35.2	31.8	3.4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	49	45.7	3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Elementary School)	20.2	27.6	7.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Savannah-Chatham County)	29.8	29.2	0.6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	45	41.6	3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Elementary School)	7.7	17.7	10%
5th Grade Mathematics (Savannah-Chatham County)	27.6	25	2.6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	41	37.4	3.6%
5th Grade Science (Southwest Elementary School)	26.2	30.6	4.4%
5th Grade Science (Savannah-Chatham County)	27.7	28.6	0.9%
5th Grade Science (Georgia)	43	40	3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	812	766	5.7%
African American	428	402	6.1%
American Indian	3	4	33.3%
Asian	18	25	38.9%
Hispanic	152	139	8.6%
Pacific Islander	0	5
White	164	130	20.7%
Two or More Races	47	61	29.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	73%	79.1%	6.1%

Schools Near Southwest Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2024)	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)						Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)						Milestones Assessment Science (2024)		Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Southwest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6020 Ogeechee Rd	Savannah	31419	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-3300	729	48	15.1	81.8%	90 (12.3%)	385 (52.8%)	170 (23.3%)	20 (2.7%)	6 (0.8%)	4 (0.5%)	54 (7.4%)	22.1	980^th of 1248 public elementary schools	21.5%		26.8	889^th of 1242 public elementary schools	28.4%	91		22.1	18.9	33.3				24.8	32.1	21.2				22.9			$8,943	$422	$8,521
Georgetown School	Public	PK, KG-8	1516 King George Blvd	Savannah	31419	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	No	(912) 395-3475	525	48	11.0	76.2%	115 (21.9%)	295 (56.2%)	56 (10.7%)	4 (0.8%)	3 (0.6%)	3 (0.6%)	49 (9.3%)	43.7	642^nd of 1248 public elementary schools	48.6%		40.2	682^nd of 1242 public elementary schools	45.1%	40	66.7	23.0	44.1	45.2	33.9	35.7	52.8	35.0	32.2	35.7	32.3	40.5	47.2	42.9	22.9	30.2	$10,357	$237	$10,120
Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	301 Buckhalter Rd	Savannah	31405	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	Yes	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-4070	218	14	15.4	67.9%	70 (32.1%)	75 (34.4%)	40 (18.3%)	5 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.9%)	26 (11.9%)	21.7	985^th of 1248 public elementary schools	21.1%		17.3	1060^th of 1242 public elementary schools	14.7%	75		34.5	17.9	27.8				24.1	14.3	22.2				22.2			$10,191	$518	$9,673
Richmond Hill Primary School	Public	PK, KG-1	471 Frances Meeks Way	Richmond Hill	31324	Bryan County	Bryan County	No	No	No	No	(912) 459-5080	748	51	14.5	45.3%	367 (49.1%)	123 (16.4%)	124 (16.6%)	44 (5.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	89 (11.9%)								(n/a)																	$8,637	$242	$8,394
Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary School	Public	4-5	476 Frances Meeks Way	Richmond Hill	31324	Bryan County	Bryan County	No	No	No	No	(912) 459-5111	679	49	13.9	45.1%	361 (53.2%)	121 (17.8%)	90 (13.3%)	40 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	66 (9.7%)	81.3	217^th of 1248 public elementary schools	82.6%		82.9	199^th of 1242 public elementary schools	84.0%	18			52.1	63.3					68.0	54.5				54.2			$7,926	$178	$7,747
Richmond Hill Elementary School	Public	2-3	473 Frances Meeks Way	Richmond Hill	31324	Bryan County	Bryan County	No	No	No	No	(912) 459-5100	670	47	14.2	45.4%	339 (50.6%)	125 (18.7%)	111 (16.6%)	35 (5.2%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	57 (8.5%)								(n/a)		44.4						56.5									$8,412	$217	$8,195
Gould Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4910 Pineland Dr	Savannah	31405	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-5400	887	63	14.0	85.5%	86 (9.7%)	290 (32.7%)	440 (49.6%)	13 (1.5%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (6.0%)	11.9	1158^th of 1248 public elementary schools	7.2%		17	1066^th of 1242 public elementary schools	14.2%	92		19.0	10.7	20.1				22.3	12.3	16.2				14.9			$10,525	$807	$9,718
Pulaski Elementary SChool	Public	PK, KG-5	1001 Tibet Ave	Savannah	31419	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-6466	576	44	13.2	64.8%	107 (18.6%)	230 (39.9%)	202 (35.1%)	6 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (5.0%)	54.3	515^th of 1248 public elementary schools	58.7%		46.9	593^rd of 1242 public elementary schools	52.3%	78		44.0	38.7	45.6				57.1	40.0	30.9				36.8			$10,149	$690	$9,459
New Hampstead K-8 School	Public	PK, KG-8	1700 Highgate Blvd	Bloomingdale	31302	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	No	(912) 395-6200	848	64	13.2	64.3%	173 (20.4%)	421 (49.6%)	109 (12.9%)	73 (8.6%)	2 (0.2%)	4 (0.5%)	66 (7.8%)	53.9	520^th of 1248 public elementary schools	58.3%		44.2	630^th of 1242 public elementary schools	49.3%	110		33.3	50.0	42.3	44.8	38.9	37.9	37.5	61.1	39.2	27.1	35.6	34.5	35.1	28.7	23.0
West Chatham Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	820 Pine Barren Rd	Pooler	31322	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	No	(912) 395-3600	809	56	14.4	74.5%	151 (18.7%)	456 (56.4%)	114 (14.1%)	27 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	60 (7.4%)	29.4	866^th of 1248 public elementary schools	30.6%		34.4	776^th of 1242 public elementary schools	37.5%	90		26.7	27.9	30.1				41.0	34.9	20.4				22.3			$9,637	$244	$9,393

Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest Elementary School

How many students attend Southwest Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 729 students attended Southwest Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Southwest Elementary School?

Students at Southwest Elementary School are 53% African American, 23% Hispanic, 12% White, 7% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Is Southwest Elementary School a good school?

Southwest Elementary School ranks in the bottom 21.5% of Georgia elementary schools.

What district is Southwest Elementary School in?

Savannah-Chatham County

What schools do graduates of Southwest Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Southwest Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Southwest Middle School

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.