Southwest Elementary School

Q: Is Southwest Elementary School a good school?

Southwest Elementary School ranks 1161 st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Southwest Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 382 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Southwest Elementary has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (34.82%) and African American (20.16%) students. However, the school faces significant challenges, including high chronic absenteeism rates ranging from 31% to 36.4% over the past few years, compared to much lower rates at schools like South McKeel Academy (0.1%) and Highlands Grove Elementary (27.4%). Southwest Elementary's test scores are also generally lower than state and district averages, with its 3rd grade English Language Arts proficiency rate at 39% in 2023-2024, compared to the Polk district at 49% and the Florida state average of 55%.

While Southwest Elementary has seen a steady increase in per-student spending, from $10,033 in 2019-2020 to $13,291 in 2022-2023, this increased funding does not appear to have translated into significant academic gains. The school's performance lags behind many of the nearby schools, both in terms of test scores and overall school rankings, with Magnolia Montessori Academy and South McKeel Academy consistently ranking among the top elementary schools in the state.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

2650 Southwest Ave
Lakeland, FL 33803

(863) 499-2830

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1161^st of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,291

Students who attend Southwest Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Sleepy Hill Middle School
High:	George W. Jenkins Senior High

Student/teacher ratio: 14.0

Number of students: 380

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

38.2%

White:

36.1%

African American:

20.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 75.8%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Southwest Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Southwest Elementary School ranks worse than 51.5% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 28^th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 47.38. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Southwest Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (38.2%), White (36.1%), African American (20%). (See more...)

Compare Details 75.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southwest Elementary School is 14, which is the 12^th best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Southwest Elementary School employs 27 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southwest Elementary School is $13,291, which is the 4^th highest among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Polk:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk 57^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Southwest Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	31.40	1200^th	1688	28.9%
2007	64.01	677^th	1786	62.1%
2008	64.42	659^th	1789	63.2%
2009	46.64	1052^nd	1847	43.0%
2010	46.15	1112^th	1919	42.1%
2011	57.16	902^nd	1985	54.6%
2012	46.43	1074^th	1984	45.9%
2013	36.26	1324^th	2029	34.7%
2014	47.93	1066^th	2064	48.4%
2016	52.31	995^th	2087	52.3%
2017	45.28	1161^st	2112	45.0%
2018	37.78	1350^th	2118	36.3%
2019	42.90	1245^th	2182	42.9%
2021	36.84	1397^th	2247	37.8%
2022	46.31	1152^nd	2219	48.1%
2023	55.05	969^th	2240	56.7%
2024	47.38	1161^st	2256	48.5%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Reviews:
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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
1988	324	15	6	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	367
1989	324	16	7	29	0	n/a	n/a	0	376
1990	416	20	7	39	2	n/a	n/a	0	484
1991	451	24	6	36	2	n/a	n/a	0	519
1992	487	26	12	31	0	n/a	n/a	0	556
1993	375	99	8	26	2	n/a	n/a	0	510
1994	344	138	8	21	2	n/a	n/a	0	513
1995	356	128	7	26	2	n/a	n/a	0	519
1996	356	128	7	26	2	n/a	n/a	0	519
1997	371	115	4	19	4	n/a	n/a	0	513
1998	366	120	4	25	3	n/a	n/a	0	518
1999	368	147	3	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	540
2000	361	127	1	34	0	n/a	n/a	0	523
2001	358	137	2	43	0	n/a	n/a	0	540
2002	308	139	9	51	0	n/a	n/a	0	507
2003	308	139	9	51	0	n/a	n/a	0	507
2004	276	152	7	70	0	n/a	n/a	0	505
2005	277	132	7	69	0	n/a	n/a	0	485
2006	313	152	7	86	1	n/a	n/a	0	559
2007	269	127	5	74	0	n/a	n/a	26	501
2008	287	95	8	58	0	n/a	n/a	26	474
2009	289	109	8	65	0	n/a	n/a	34	505
2010	252	93	7	61	0	n/a	n/a	28	441
2011	234	81	10	105	2	4	24	0	460
2012	249	91	8	103	1	0	21	0	473
2013	217	91	8	110	4	0	27	0	457
2014	194	101	8	101	1	2	22	0	429
2015	208	95	9	133	0	2	32	0	479
2016	196	106	7	141	0	1	26	0	477
2017	161	115	5	135	1	1	20	0	438
2018	170	111	6	122	2	1	18	0	430
2019	175	90	4	127	1	0	17	0	414
2020	175	92	2	135	0	0	24	0	428
2021	159	77	4	118	1	0	16	0	375
2022	166	86	4	121	0	1	21	0	399
2023	144	77	4	133	1	1	22	0	382
2024	137	76	3	145	1	0	18	0	380

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

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	367	19.0	19.3	25.9
1989	376	22.0	17.0	23.7
1990	484	23.0	21.0	0
1991	519	27.0	19.2	26.2
1992	556	28.0	19.8	20
1993	510	25.0	20.4	37.1
1994	513	26.0	19.7	44.1
1995	519	26.0	20.0	44.7
1996	519	26.0	20.0	44.7
1997	513	27.0	19.0	43.9
1998	518	29.0	17.9	45.9
1999	540	30.0	18.0	51.9
2000	523	30.0	17.4	54.7
2001	540	30.0	18.0	58.9
2002	507	31.0	16.4	63.9
2003	507	31.0	16.4	63.9
2004	505	34.0	14.9	66.1
2005	485	37.0	13.1	55.7
2006	559	39.0	14.3	62.1
2007	501	39.0	12.8	66.5
2008	474	37.0	12.8	64.3
2009	505	45.8	12.9	73.9
2010	441	38.0	11.6	78
2011	460	37.0	12.4	76.1
2012	473	37.0	12.7	78
2013	457	36.0	12.6	78.8
2014	429	32.0	13.4	77.2
2015	479	34.0	14.0	73.1
2016	477	34.0	14.0	63.1
2017	438	30.0	14.6	61.6
2018	430	29.0	14.8	61.9
2019	414	28.0	14.7	61.4
2020	428	30.0	14.2	60
2021	375	33.0	11.3	64.3
2022	399	29.0	13.7	66.2
2023	382	29.0	13.1	60.5
2024	380	27.0	14.0	75.8

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
1988	367	19.0	19.3	25.9
1989	376	22.0	17.0	23.7
1990	484	23.0	21.0	0
1991	519	27.0	19.2	26.2
1992	556	28.0	19.8	20
1993	510	25.0	20.4	37.1
1994	513	26.0	19.7	44.1
1995	519	26.0	20.0	44.7
1996	519	26.0	20.0	44.7
1997	513	27.0	19.0	43.9
1998	518	29.0	17.9	45.9
1999	540	30.0	18.0	51.9
2000	523	30.0	17.4	54.7
2001	540	30.0	18.0	58.9
2002	507	31.0	16.4	63.9
2003	507	31.0	16.4	63.9
2004	505	34.0	14.9	66.1
2005	485	37.0	13.1	55.7
2006	559	39.0	14.3	62.1
2007	501	39.0	12.8	66.5
2008	474	37.0	12.8	64.3
2009	505	45.8	12.9	73.9
2010	441	38.0	11.6	78
2011	460	37.0	12.4	76.1
2012	473	37.0	12.7	78
2013	457	36.0	12.6	78.8
2014	429	32.0	13.4	77.2
2015	479	34.0	14.0	73.1
2016	477	34.0	14.0	63.1
2017	438	30.0	14.6	61.6
2018	430	29.0	14.8	61.9
2019	414	28.0	14.7	61.4
2020	428	30.0	14.2	60
2021	375	33.0	11.3	64.3
2022	399	29.0	13.7	66.2
2023	382	29.0	13.1	60.5
2024	380	27.0	14.0	75.8

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)
2018	$1,559 (15.5%)	$8,506 (84.5%)	$10,065
2019	$1,595 (14.7%)	$9,228 (85.3%)	$10,822
2020	$1,079 (10.8%)	$8,954 (89.2%)	$10,033
2021	$1,681 (13.7%)	$10,584 (86.3%)	$12,265
2022	$2,891 (22.0%)	$10,248 (78.0%)	$13,139
2023	$2,033 (15.3%)	$11,259 (84.7%)	$13,291

Data source: Florida 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 1245^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 969^th of 2240 Elementary schools	13.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Elementary School)	51	44	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Southwest Elementary School)	52	62	10%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Elementary School)	47	36	11%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Elementary School)	74	44	30%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Elementary School)	38	45	7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Elementary School)	61	72	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Southwest Elementary School)	53	47	6%
5th Grade Science (Polk)	45	39	6%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	414	382	7.7%
African American	90	77	14.4%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	4	4
Hispanic	127	133	4.7%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	175	144	17.7%
Two or More Races	17	22	29.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	61.4%	60.5%	0.9%

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)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
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	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Southwest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2650 Southwest Ave	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2830	380	27	14.0	75.8%	137 (36.1%)	76 (20.0%)	145 (38.2%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.7%)	47.4	1161^st of 2256 public elementary schools	48.5%		55	969^th of 2240 public elementary schools	56.7%	192	39.0	47.0	49.0				54.0	58.0	75.0				55.0					$13,291	$2,033	$11,259
Cleveland Court Elementary School	Public	K-5	328 Edgewood Dr E	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2929	398	31	12.8	54.3%	174 (43.7%)	92 (23.1%)	111 (27.9%)	15 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.5%)	77.1	477^th of 2256 public elementary schools	78.9%		84.6	297^th of 2240 public elementary schools	86.7%	180	66.0	74.0	67.0				68.0	71.0	67.0				62.0					$11,532	$1,571	$9,961
Dixieland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	416 Ariana St	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2930	325	24	13.5	80.3%	84 (25.8%)	72 (22.2%)	148 (45.5%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.8%)	28.4	1665^th of 2256 public elementary schools	26.2%		26	1719^th of 2240 public elementary schools	23.3%	54	42.0	28.0	33.0				56.0	57.0	46.0				33.0					$11,484	$2,192	$9,292
Carlton Palmore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3510	413	30	13.7	66.1%	187 (45.3%)	90 (21.8%)	111 (26.9%)	4 (1.0%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.9%)	26.7	1720^th of 2256 public elementary schools	23.8%		36.7	1423^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	36.5%	297	35.0	40.0	45.0				18.0	33.0	61.0				53.0					$12,393	$1,706	$10,687
Magnolia Montessori Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	815 S. Central Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 797-4991	178	15	11.8	6.2%	113 (63.5%)	10 (5.6%)	41 (23.0%)	3 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	10 (5.6%)	89.7	188^th of 2256 public elementary schools	91.7%		85.9	270^th of 2240 public elementary schools	87.9%	82	63.0	75.0	88.0	100.0	62.0	85.0	74.0	88.0	82.0	87.0	85.0		82.0	62.0			79.0	$10,843	$368	$10,475
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	510 Hartsell Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2870	603	36	16.7	73.8%	159 (26.4%)	250 (41.5%)	163 (27.0%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (4.5%)	19.3	1927^th of 2256 public elementary schools	14.6%		25.3	1738^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.4%	189	32.0	38.0	40.0	33.0	38.0	48.0	27.0	62.0	38.0	17.0	23.0	35.0	35.0	39.0	37.0	55.0	75.0	$9,800	$1,430	$8,370
Philip O'Brien Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1225 Lime St E	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2950	633	33	19.1	79.9%	199 (31.4%)	176 (27.8%)	217 (34.3%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	35 (5.5%)	9.1	2171^st of 2256 public elementary schools	3.8%		8	2174^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.9%	3	30.0	25.0	32.0				28.0	27.0	31.0				32.0					$11,314	$2,371	$8,944
Jesse Keen Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	815 Plateau Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2880	614	40	15.3	82.9%	87 (14.2%)	73 (11.9%)	448 (73.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.0%)	14.8	2040^th of 2256 public elementary schools	9.6%		6.1	2192^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	2.1%	152	28.0	26.0	33.0				33.0	34.0	44.0				48.0					$10,511	$2,348	$8,162
McKeel Academy Central	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	411 Florida Ave N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 499-1287	610	36	16.9	37.9%	361 (59.2%)	73 (12.0%)	135 (22.1%)	13 (2.1%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	25 (4.1%)	91.4	129^th of 2256 public elementary schools	94.3%		91.7	121^st of 2240 public elementary schools	94.6%	8	83.0	67.0	75.0	83.0			85.0	86.0	88.0	85.0			80.0					$10,790	$1,874	$8,916
Mi Escuela Montessori	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	2130 E. Edgewood Drive	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 934-2780	239	20	11.7	48.1%	89 (37.2%)	8 (3.3%)	127 (53.1%)	7 (2.9%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.9%)	32.8	1540^th of 2256 public elementary schools	31.7%		31.1	1582^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	29.4%	42	34.0	61.0	47.0	71.0			15.0	30.0	37.0	64.0			53.0					$10,756	$2,208	$8,549

Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest Elementary School

Is Southwest Elementary School a good school?

Southwest Elementary School ranks 1161^st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Southwest Elementary School in?

Polk

How many students attend Southwest Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 380 students attended Southwest Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Southwest Elementary School?

Students at Southwest Elementary School are 38% Hispanic, 36% White, 20% African American, 5% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of Southwest Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Sleepy Hill Middle School
High : George W. Jenkins Senior High

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