Northwest Elementary

Summary:

Northwest Elementary is a public elementary school in Gaffney, South Carolina, serving 419 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Cherokee 01 school district, which is ranked 55 out of 75 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Northwest Elementary consistently outperforms the district and state in academic performance, with 63.3% of 3rd graders proficient or better in ELA compared to 41.6% in the district and 53.8% statewide. However, the school has a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with 67.78% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Despite its strong performance, Northwest Elementary's statewide ranking has declined in recent years, from 207th out of 619 schools in 2015-2016 to 368th out of 638 schools in 2023-2024. This suggests that while the school is performing well, other schools in the state may be improving at a faster rate.

When comparing Northwest Elementary to nearby schools, it outperforms Luther L. Vaughan Elementary and B.D. Lee Elementary, which are also part of the Cherokee 01 district. However, it lags behind the higher-performing schools in the Spartanburg 02 and Spartanburg 03 districts, such as Cannons Elementary, Carlisle-Foster's Grove Elementary, and Chesnee Elementary.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 840 Green River Road
       Gaffney, SC  29341


(864) 206-6727

District: Cherokee 01

SchoolDigger Rank:
368th of 638 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,664 Help


Students who attend Northwest Elementary usually attend:

High:    Gaffney High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.4 Help
Number of students:  425

Racial breakdown:

White:
80.2%
African American:
10.6%
Hispanic:
6.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  73.6% Help


 See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Northwest Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Northwest Elementary ranks worse than 57.7% of elementary schools in South Carolina. It also ranks 3rd among 8 ranked elementary schools in the Cherokee 01 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 42.25. (See more...)
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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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (80.2%), African American (10.6%), Hispanic (6.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 73.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Northwest Elementary is 14.4. 5 elementary schools in the Cherokee 01 School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Northwest Elementary employs 29.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Northwest Elementary is $14,664. 4 elementary schools in the Cherokee 01 School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Northwest Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Northwest Elementary 368th of 638 South Carolina public elementary schools. (See Northwest Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Cherokee 01:

SchoolDigger ranks Cherokee 01 55th of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Northwest Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Northwest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 56.97 252nd 542 53.5%
2004 55.65 264th 550 52.0%
2005 60.13 240th 557 56.9%
2006 65.38 196th 559 64.9%
2007 65.20 188th 566 66.8%
2008 71.64 140th 577 75.7%
2009 64.21 209th 580 64.0%
2010 67.13 183rd 589 68.9%
2011 66.45 194th 597 67.5%
2012 65.11 213th 594 64.1%
2013 59.54 262nd 599 56.3%
2014 58.86 271st 630 57.0%
2015 59.38 222nd 638 65.2%
2016 65.27 207th 619 66.6%
2017 62.40 223rd 639 65.1%
2018 61.42 231st 624 63.0%
2019 61.56 241st 643 62.5%
2021 60.67 233rd 622 62.5%
2022 54.56 281st 625 55.0%
2023 40.15 385th 644 40.2%
2024 42.25 368th 638 42.3%
See the entire list of South Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Northwest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.79 255th 588 56.6%
2019 55.66 278th 600 53.7%
2021 66.32 174th 580 70.0%
2022 61.70 218th 600 63.7%
2023 41.65 363rd 608 40.3%
2024 33.39 422nd 599 29.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Northwest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.02 265th 570 53.5%
2019 57.18 256th 588 56.5%
2021 48.64 274th 554 50.5%
2022 46.10 304th 573 46.9%
2023 36.84 370th 580 36.2%
2024 47.00 304th 565 46.2%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Northwest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 65.21 186th 571 67.4%
2019 62.32 222nd 590 62.4%
2021 68.22 153rd 561 72.7%
2022 58.64 238th 579 58.9%
2023 40.77 345th 582 40.7%
2024 33.16 380th 568 33.1%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Northwest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.28 308th 457 32.6%
2019 39.98 303rd 472 35.8%
2021 31.21 317th 439 27.8%
2022 27.08 350th 455 23.1%
2023 28.41 357th 463 22.9%
2024 28.51 342nd 441 22.4%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Northwest Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: South Carolina Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Northwest Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1999 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 496 496
2000 425 44 10 4 0 n/a n/a 0 483
2001 400 36 11 9 0 n/a n/a 0 456
2002 414 33 6 9 1 n/a n/a 0 463
2003 414 33 6 9 1 n/a n/a 0 463
2004 437 31 4 16 2 n/a n/a 1 491
2005 460 19 5 13 2 n/a n/a 0 499
2006 454 17 7 27 2 n/a n/a 0 507
2007 478 18 5 25 2 n/a n/a 0 528
2008 487 32 7 20 1 n/a n/a 0 547
2009 450 29 10 17 0 n/a n/a 0 506
2010 424 28 7 21 2 n/a n/a 0 482
2011 425 19 5 18 0 0 3 0 470
2012 428 22 9 21 0 0 1 0 481
2013 434 28 13 24 0 0 4 0 503
2014 457 34 12 25 0 0 2 0 530
2015 435 26 9 22 0 0 2 0 494
2016 433 25 6 25 0 0 3 0 492
2017 451 37 6 36 0 0 1 0 531
2018 458 40 5 24 1 0 1 0 529
2019 449 47 3 29 1 0 2 0 531
2020 457 42 7 26 0 0 1 0 533
2021 313 31 8 31 0 0 2 0 385
2022 339 37 3 30 0 0 3 0 412
2023 337 41 5 29 0 0 7 0 419
2024 341 45 3 29 0 0 7 0 425

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 Northwest Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1999 496 30.0 16.5 38.7
2000 483 29.0 16.7 41.8
2001 456 27.0 16.9 42.3
2002 463 28.0 16.5 52.7
2003 463 28.0 16.5 52.7
2004 491 29.0 16.9 50.2
2005 499 31.0 16.1 51.5
2006 507 32.0 15.8 52.3
2007 528 52.5 10.1 49.1
2008 547 34.0 16.1 47.9
2009 506 33.0 15.3 46
2010 482 30.5 15.8 54.8
2011 470 28.0 16.7 56.4
2012 481 32.0 15.0 59.3
2013 503 32.5 15.4 55.7
2014 530 32.5 16.3 55.3
2015 494 32.0 15.4 51.2
2016 492 32.0 15.3 53.3
2017 531 30.3 17.5 55.7
2018 529 33.3 15.8 57.5
2019 531 34.3 15.4 59.7
2020 533 34.0 15.6 60.2
2021 385 34.0 11.3 83.9
2022 412 32.5 12.6 69.7
2023 419 28.5 14.7 67.8
2024 425 29.5 14.4 73.6

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 Northwest Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1999 496 30.0 16.5 38.7
2000 483 29.0 16.7 41.8
2001 456 27.0 16.9 42.3
2002 463 28.0 16.5 52.7
2003 463 28.0 16.5 52.7
2004 491 29.0 16.9 50.2
2005 499 31.0 16.1 51.5
2006 507 32.0 15.8 52.3
2007 528 52.5 10.1 49.1
2008 547 34.0 16.1 47.9
2009 506 33.0 15.3 46
2010 482 30.5 15.8 54.8
2011 470 28.0 16.7 56.4
2012 481 32.0 15.0 59.3
2013 503 32.5 15.4 55.7
2014 530 32.5 16.3 55.3
2015 494 32.0 15.4 51.2
2016 492 32.0 15.3 53.3
2017 531 30.3 17.5 55.7
2018 529 33.3 15.8 57.5
2019 531 34.3 15.4 59.7
2020 533 34.0 15.6 60.2
2021 385 34.0 11.3 83.9
2022 412 32.5 12.6 69.7
2023 419 28.5 14.7 67.8
2024 425 29.5 14.4 73.6

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 Northwest Elementary

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $599 (6.7%) $515 (5.8%) $1,115 (12.6%) $6,970 (78.5%) $797 (9.0%) $7,767 (87.4%) $8,882
2020 $540 (6.0%) $465 (5.1%) $1,005 (11.1%) $7,151 (78.9%) $903 (10.0%) $8,054 (88.9%) $9,059
2021 $724 (7.0%) $489 (4.7%) $1,213 (11.7%) $8,250 (79.4%) $927 (8.9%) $9,177 (88.3%) $10,390
2022 $1,273 (9.2%) $1,103 (7.9%) $2,376 (17.1%) $10,386 (74.7%) $1,150 (8.3%) $11,536 (82.9%) $13,912
2023 $1,016 (6.9%) $1,843 (12.6%) $2,860 (19.5%) $10,457 (71.3%) $1,347 (9.2%) $11,804 (80.5%) $14,664

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Northwest Elementary

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 241st of 643 Elementary schoolsRanks 385th of 644 Elementary schools
 22.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Northwest Elementary)50.656.1
 5.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cherokee 01)43.741.5
 2.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)49.753.5
 3.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Northwest Elementary)58.162.1
 4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Cherokee 01)49.240.9
 8.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)57.753.6
 4.1%
4th Grade Science (Northwest Elementary)67.521.4
 46.1%
   4th Grade Science (Cherokee 01)43.426.1
 17.3%
   4th Grade Science (South Carolina)5246.6
 5.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Northwest Elementary)61.447.6
 13.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Cherokee 01)43.441
 2.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)51.357.2
 5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Northwest Elementary)77.123
 54.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee 01)38.426.8
 11.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)50.547
 3.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Northwest Elementary)37.351.7
 14.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Cherokee 01)33.142.3
 9.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)4155.2
 14.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Northwest Elementary)34.634.4
 0.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee 01)32.824.5
 8.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)45.444.6
 0.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students531419
 21.1%
African American4741
 12.8%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian35
 66.7%
Hispanic2929
Pacific Islander00
White449337
 24.9%
Two or More Races27
 250%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients59.7%67.8%
 8.1%


Schools Near Northwest Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Northwest Elementary

In the 2023-24 school year, 425 students attended Northwest Elementary.

Students at Northwest Elementary are 80% White, 11% African American, 7% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

Students who attend Northwest Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Gaffney High

Northwest Elementary ranks 368th of 638 South Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


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





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