Southwest Elementary School

Located at 915 GAY ST, in HOWELL, Michigan, Southwest Elementary School is an average-sized K-5 school that works with 526 students (grades K through 5), operated by Howell Public Schools. That puts it 43% above the typical public school in Michigan, which averages around 369 students.

Southwest Elementary School is one of 10 schools operated by Howell Public Schools, a district that caters to 7,045 students overall.

In terms of who attends, Southwest Elementary School reports that nearly all students (81%) are White. Other groups include 12% Hispanic, 4% multiracial, 2% Pacific Islander. By comparison, Livingston County as a whole is about 94% White, so the school skews considerably less White than its surroundings.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Southwest Elementary School logs 33 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 15.9:1. That tracks the state average closely. An estimated 38% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. Set against Livingston County (around 20%), the school's rate is noticeably above typical.

After controlling for student poverty, Southwest Elementary School sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 49.4%; this one delivers 48.9%.

Around the school, census data for Livingston County shows the typical household earns roughly $103,039 per year, 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits near 3%. In all, Livingston County runs 48 public schools (combined enrollment of about 24,695 students), of which Southwest Elementary School is one.

The closest other public school is Challenger Elementary School, roughly 0.4 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. On composite proficiency, Southwest Elementary School comes 1st of 5 in the immediate cluster, ahead of the nearby-schools average of 42.4%.

The campus sits in a commuter-belt setting.

Over the past 7-year window. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Southwest Elementary School has held roughly steady, going from 514 students in 2018 to 526 in 2025. White enrollment moved from 85% to 81% across the same window. Class-load math has pulled in: from 18.0:1 in 2018 to 15.9:1 in 2025.

On this page, the feed for Southwest Elementary School typically covers sports schedules, lunch menu changes, and school spirit week. Contributors range from current parents to recent graduates and teachers.