Southwest High School, or simply Southwest, is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It is one of 10 high schools in the Minneapolis Public Schools district. Southwest offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Serving 1,195 students in grades 9-12, Southwest High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Minnesota for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-44% (which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 46%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 45-49% (which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 51%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Minnesota state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,195 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 34%
- Graduation Rate: 85% (Top 50% in MN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 40-44% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 45-49% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 45-49% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Southwest Senior High serves the southwest part of Minneapolis, covering an area of approximately 13.2 square miles. Families in this zone typically have a drive of 5 to 10 minutes to reach the school, with the furthest edge being about 4.9 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
School Overview
Southwest High School's student population of 1,195 students has declined by 37% over five school years.
The teacher population of 76 teachers has grown by 10% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,195 students
Total Classroom Teachers
76 teachers
Year Founded
1940
School Calendar
School Motto
Anchored in Excellence
School Rankings
Southwest High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,773 schools in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Southwest High School is 0.53, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.60. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#990 out of 1773 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
41%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
13:1
American Indian
1%
2%
Asian
3%
7%
Hispanic
9%
12%
Black
15%
12%
White
66%
60%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
85%
84%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)49.5%
27.3%
Eligible for Free Lunch
22%
34%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Black, Purple
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southwest High School's ranking?
Southwest High School is ranked #990 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Minnesota.
What schools are Southwest High School often compared to?
Southwest High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Washburn High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 46% MN state average), while 45-49% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% MN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Southwest High School?
The graduation rate of Southwest High School is 85%, which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 84%.
How many students attend Southwest High School?
1,195 students attend Southwest High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
66% of Southwest High School students are White, 15% of students are Black, 9% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Southwest High School?
Southwest High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 13:1.
What grades does Southwest High School offer ?
Southwest High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Southwest High School part of?
Southwest High School is part of Minneapolis Public School District.
In what neighborhood is Southwest High School located?
Southwest High School is located in the Southwest Minneapolis neighborhood of Minneapolis, MN. There are 14 other public schools located in Southwest Minneapolis.
School Reviews
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