Southwest Middle School

Summary:

Southwest Middle School is a public middle school located in Savannah, Georgia, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 743 students. The school is part of the Savannah-Chatham County School District, which is ranked 128 out of 203 districts in Georgia and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Southwest Middle School consistently underperforms compared to the Savannah-Chatham County and Georgia state averages across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 18.9% of 6th graders, 15.9% of 7th graders, and 20.7% of 8th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the district averages of 30.3%, 29.1%, and 33.3%, respectively. The school's performance in mathematics is also significantly lower, with only 13.3% of 6th graders, 11% of 7th graders, and 13.3% of 8th graders being proficient or better, compared to the district averages of 22.5%, 22.3%, and 27.5%. Southwest Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Georgia middle schools, with a ranking of 529 out of 588 in the 2023-2024 school year, and has maintained a 1-star or 0-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past several years.

When comparing Southwest Middle School to other nearby middle schools in the Savannah-Chatham County district, it becomes clear that Southwest is an outlier in terms of academic performance. For instance, Coastal Middle School, which is 15 miles away, consistently outperforms Southwest across all subject areas and grade levels, with proficiency rates often double or triple those of Southwest. Similarly, The STEM Academy at Bartlett, which is 8.63 miles away, also significantly outperforms Southwest in most subject areas. Despite having a relatively low student-teacher ratio, the school has struggled to improve student achievement, indicating that additional factors, such as curriculum, instructional practices, and school leadership, may need to be addressed to drive meaningful improvements.

Detail:

Public 6-8

6030 Ogeechee Rd
Savannah, GA 31419

(912) 395-3540

District: Savannah-Chatham County

SchoolDigger Rank:
529^th of 588 Georgia Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,502

Students who attend Southwest Middle School usually attend:

High:

Windsor Forest High School

Feeder schools for Southwest Middle School:

Elementary:	Largo-Tibet Elementary School
	Pulaski Elementary SChool
	Southwest Elementary School
	Windsor Forest Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.8

Number of students: 712

Racial breakdown:

African American:

61.0%

Hispanic:

19.4%

White:

10.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 77.4%

See top rated Georgia middle schools

Compare Southwest Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Southwest Middle School ranks worse than 90% of middle schools in Georgia. It also ranks 5^th among 9 ranked middle schools in the Savannah-Chatham County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 13.41. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (61%), Hispanic (19.4%), White (10%). (See more...)

Compare Details 77.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School is 14.8. 7 middle schools in the Savannah-Chatham County School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Southwest Middle School employs 48.1 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southwest Middle School is $9,502. 7 middle schools in the Savannah-Chatham County School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Southwest Middle School 529^th of 588 Georgia public middle schools. (See Southwest Middle School in the ranking list.)

Savannah-Chatham County:

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

Average Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Southwest Middle School.

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Rank History for Southwest Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	53.18	215^th	420	48.8%
2007	53.40	235^th	445	47.2%
2008	41.30	314^th	462	32.0%
2009	33.77	362^nd	466	22.3%
2010	33.09	381^st	494	22.9%
2011	41.60	341^st	504	32.3%
2012	36.71	381^st	508	25.0%
2013	41.47	366^th	527	30.6%
2014	29.55	427^th	521	18.0%
2015	14.72	467^th	537	13.0%
2016	15.16	470^th	545	13.8%
2017	15.59	472^nd	539	12.4%
2018	16.52	473^rd	543	12.9%
2019	14.72	494^th	559	11.6%
2021	8.57	523^rd	542	3.5%
2022	11.42	526^th	567	7.2%
2023	15.63	501^st	577	13.2%
2024	13.41	529^th	588	10.0%

See the entire list of Georgia Middle 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: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Wednesday, March 11, 2009

this school is absolutely terrible! the principal had to get fired! students going to jail everyday! what is going on. i go to southwest and i see ALOT of fights everyday! my behavior was great until i got into southwest. i stopped listening to the teachers. my mom had to keep coming to the school. this is my first year and im in seventh grade. i had to get switched to a different classroom for the rest of the year. and im doing a little bit better. all im saying is that please don't go! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Southwest Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1999	409	351	12	27	2	n/a	n/a	0	801
2000	440	392	23	37	4	n/a	n/a	0	896
2001	479	449	30	35	2	n/a	n/a	0	995
2002	367	472	24	29	5	n/a	n/a	0	897
2003	367	472	24	29	5	n/a	n/a	0	897
2004	362	503	18	51	3	n/a	n/a	0	937
2005	308	530	25	64	6	n/a	n/a	19	952
2006	292	532	25	60	6	n/a	n/a	18	933
2007	254	518	27	62	6	n/a	n/a	30	897
2008	217	541	29	65	3	n/a	n/a	34	889
2009	226	628	28	60	1	n/a	n/a	34	977
2010	237	654	24	55	1	1	0	0	972
2011	179	401	21	42	1	1	42	0	687
2012	177	452	18	40	1	1	45	0	734
2013	155	442	13	44	1	2	44	0	701
2014	156	600	12	54	4	2	61	0	889
2015	144	552	12	76	3	3	58	0	848
2016	132	540	14	75	3	2	42	0	808
2017	115	532	15	88	3	5	48	0	806
2018	106	489	8	105	2	0	58	0	768
2019	100	530	7	122	1	3	52	0	815
2020	85	486	9	143	2	1	47	0	773
2021	79	483	11	135	4	5	32	0	749
2022	84	492	13	127	4	5	36	0	761
2023	82	475	18	125	1	6	36	0	743
2024	71	434	23	138	3	6	37	0	712

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 Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1999	801	50.1	16.0	34
2000	896	51.0	17.6	30.7
2001	995	56.0	17.8	32.3
2002	897	50.5	17.8	38.6
2003	897	50.5	17.8	38.6
2004	937	56.0	16.7	44.7
2005	952	59.0	16.1	46.4
2006	933	61.5	15.2	51.3
2007	897	64.0	14.0	54.9
2008	889	68.1	13.1	59.9
2009	977	69.5	14.1	63
2010	972	64.5	15.0	71.4
2011	687	53.1	12.9	57.5
2012	734	45.2	16.2	65.3
2013	701	45.7	15.3	66.8
2014	889	49.6	17.9	77.1
2015	848	52.0	16.3	75.1
2016	808	56.0	14.4	79
2017	806	53.5	15.0	76.8
2018	768	55.2	13.9	62.8
2019	815	54.1	15.0	76.4
2020	773	54.0	14.3	81.1
2021	749	54.0	13.8	73.7
2022	761	51.4	14.8	n/a
2023	743	53.0	14.0	82.9
2024	712	48.1	14.8	77.4

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 Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1999	801	50.1	16.0	34
2000	896	51.0	17.6	30.7
2001	995	56.0	17.8	32.3
2002	897	50.5	17.8	38.6
2003	897	50.5	17.8	38.6
2004	937	56.0	16.7	44.7
2005	952	59.0	16.1	46.4
2006	933	61.5	15.2	51.3
2007	897	64.0	14.0	54.9
2008	889	68.1	13.1	59.9
2009	977	69.5	14.1	63
2010	972	64.5	15.0	71.4
2011	687	53.1	12.9	57.5
2012	734	45.2	16.2	65.3
2013	701	45.7	15.3	66.8
2014	889	49.6	17.9	77.1
2015	848	52.0	16.3	75.1
2016	808	56.0	14.4	79
2017	806	53.5	15.0	76.8
2018	768	55.2	13.9	62.8
2019	815	54.1	15.0	76.4
2020	773	54.0	14.3	81.1
2021	749	54.0	13.8	73.7
2022	761	51.4	14.8	n/a
2023	743	53.0	14.0	82.9
2024	712	48.1	14.8	77.4

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 Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$794 (8.9%)	$8,099 (91.1%)	$8,893
2018	$961 (9.7%)	$8,935 (90.3%)	$9,896
2019	$616 (6.5%)	$8,887 (93.5%)	$9,502

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southwest Middle 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 494^th of 559 Middle schools	Ranks 501^st of 577 Middle schools	1.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Middle School)	18	12.1	5.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Savannah-Chatham County)	34	23.2	10.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	46	39.2	6.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Middle School)	19.8	11.9	7.9%
6th Grade Mathematics (Savannah-Chatham County)	27.3	18.3	9%
6th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	40	32.9	7.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Middle School)	15.5	16.3	0.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Savannah-Chatham County)	28	23.7	4.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	39	39.1	0.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Middle School)	14.1	11.8	2.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Savannah-Chatham County)	29	20.6	8.4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	43	34.9	8.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Middle School)	17	21.9	4.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Savannah-Chatham County)	22.2	26	3.8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	47	42.1	4.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Middle School)	13.6	11	2.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Savannah-Chatham County)	23.9	20.2	3.7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	35	36.2	1.2%
8th Grade Science (Southwest Middle School)	19.1	10.1	9%
8th Grade Science (Savannah-Chatham County)	19.4	17.2	2.2%
8th Grade Science (Georgia)	32	26.4	5.6%
8th Grade Social Studies (Southwest Middle School)	17.2	15.7	1.5%
8th Grade Social Studies (Savannah-Chatham County)	28.1	20.3	7.8%
8th Grade Social Studies (Georgia)	41	35.9	5.1%
End of Course Algebra I (Southwest Middle School)	76.2	78.9	2.7%
End of Course Algebra I (Savannah-Chatham County)	31.2	21.2	10%
End of Course Algebra I (Georgia)	41.1	35.8	5.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	815	743	8.8%
African American	530	475	10.4%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	7	18	157.1%
Hispanic	122	125	2.5%
Pacific Islander	3	6	100%
White	100	82	18%
Two or More Races	52	36	30.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	76.4%	82.9%	6.5%

Schools Near Southwest Middle 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 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th 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 Middle School	Public	6-8	6030 Ogeechee Rd	Savannah	31419	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-3540	712	48	14.8	77.4%	71 (10.0%)	434 (61.0%)	138 (19.4%)	23 (3.2%)	3 (0.4%)	6 (0.8%)	37 (5.2%)	13.4	529^th of 588 public middle schools	10.0%		15.6	501^st of 577 public middle schools	13.2%	28	76.5	18.9	15.9	20.7	13.3	11.0	13.3	4.8	13.8	$9,502	$616	$8,887
West Chatham Middle School	Public	6-8	800 Pine Barren Rd	Pooler	31322	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-3650	943	78	12.0	65.9%	199 (21.1%)	387 (41.0%)	283 (30.0%)	19 (2.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	54 (5.7%)	20.2	476^th of 588 public middle schools	19.0%		19.9	467^th of 577 public middle schools	19.1%	9		16.6	16.9	27.5	11.7	17.0	17.0	20.7	18.4	$10,407	$708	$9,699
The STEM Academy at Bartlett	Public	6-8	207 Montgomery Xrd	Savannah	31406	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	No	(912) 395-3500	697	53	13.1	56.4%	197 (28.3%)	322 (46.2%)	101 (14.5%)	29 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (6.9%)	81.9	95^th of 588 public middle schools	83.8%		84.6	79^th of 577 public middle schools	86.3%	16	46.0	58.6	60.0	68.7	51.0	44.4	52.3		49.2	$9,447	$263	$9,184
DeRenne Middle School	Public	6-8	1009 Clinch St	Savannah	31405	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-5900	496	42	11.9	90.5%	13 (2.6%)	443 (89.3%)	23 (4.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (2.8%)	10.6	558^th of 588 public middle schools	5.1%		8.1	561^st of 577 public middle schools	2.8%	3		17.3	14.4	16.4	9.0	5.2	13.5	7.6	5.4	$10,547	$1,096	$9,451
Mercer Middle School	Public	6-8	5330 Montgomery St	Garden City	31405	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-6700	404	25	16.0	74.0%	20 (5.0%)	230 (56.9%)	130 (32.2%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (4.7%)	11.8	549^th of 588 public middle schools	6.6%		9.3	555^th of 577 public middle schools	3.8%	6	12.5	16.3	10.4	17.6	7.9	6.5	6.3	1.0	24.6	$10,007	$1,284	$8,723
Richmond Hill Middle School	Public	6-8	503 Warren Hill Drive	Richmond Hill	31324	Bryan County	Bryan County	No	No	No	No	(912) 459-5130	1,922	119	16.1	30.5%	1,172 (61.0%)	257 (13.4%)	260 (13.5%)	91 (4.7%)	4 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	136 (7.1%)	86.7	69^th of 588 public middle schools	88.3%		87.9	62^nd of 577 public middle schools	89.3%	7	99.0	55.2	59.9	64.8	51.8	53.1	65.5	39.5	62.0	$6,936	$134	$6,802
Oglethorpe Charter School	Public, Charter	6-8	7202 Central Ave	Savannah	31406	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	Yes	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-5075	584	44	13.2	86.8%	35 (6.0%)	495 (84.8%)	30 (5.1%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (3.8%)	18.5	490^th of 588 public middle schools	16.7%		13.4	527^th of 577 public middle schools	8.7%	37	62.5	23.3	21.5	25.0	20.5	15.9	24.3	0.0	8.1	$10,536	$244	$10,536
Hubert Middle School	Public	6-8	768 Grant St	Savannah	31401	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-5235	420	35	11.9	87.9%	16 (3.8%)	359 (85.5%)	31 (7.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	10 (2.4%)	10.4	559^th of 588 public middle schools	4.9%		9.3	554^th of 577 public middle schools	4.0%	5		9.4	8.8	14.4	8.8	3.7	7.6	9.3	17.9	$11,827	$956	$10,871
Myers Middle School	Public	6-8	2025 E 52nd St	Savannah	31404	Chatham County	Savannah-Chatham County	No	No	No	Yes	(912) 395-6600	452	34	13.2	90.0%	14 (3.1%)	378 (83.6%)	40 (8.8%)	5 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (3.1%)	11.1	555^th of 588 public middle schools	5.6%		8.1	562^nd of 577 public middle schools	2.6%	7	17.4	12.6	17.5	21.5	6.4	4.5	10.7	1.6	16.9	$11,387	$1,108	$10,278
South Effingham Middle School	Public	6-8	1200 Noel C Conaway Rd	Guyton	31312	Effingham County	Effingham County	No	No	No	No	(912) 728-7500	1,112	83	13.4	40.4%	740 (66.5%)	141 (12.7%)	138 (12.4%)	28 (2.5%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	62 (5.6%)	88.3	65^th of 588 public middle schools	88.9%		88.2	59^th of 577 public middle schools	89.8%	6	100.0	53.4	51.4	65.3	57.0	59.3	72.3	44.2	71.1	$8,445	$306	$8,139

Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest Middle School

What high school do graduates of Southwest Middle School attend?

Students who attend Southwest Middle School usually go on to attend Windsor Forest High School

What district is Southwest Middle School in?

Savannah-Chatham County

Is Southwest Middle School a good school?

Southwest Middle School ranks in the bottom 10.0% of Georgia middle schools.

What is the racial makeup of Southwest Middle School?

Students at Southwest Middle School are 61% African American, 19% Hispanic, 10% White, 5% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

How many students attend Southwest Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 712 students attended Southwest Middle School.

Rate 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.