Top Rankings
Salem City School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public elementary schools serving 3,105 students in Salem City School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in Virginia.
Public Elementary Schools in Salem City School District have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the Virginia public elementary school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 71% (versus the 67% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Virginia public elementary school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (VA)
# Schools
8 Schools
1,493 Schools
# Students
4,318 Students
828,856 Students
# Teachers
355 Teachers
59,516 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Salem City School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 135 school districts in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 91% has decreased from 93% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#28 out of 135 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(22-23)79%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)74%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)65%
59%
Graduation Rate
(22-23)91%
89%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
3%
8%
% Hispanic
11%
19%
% Black
17%
22%
% White
63%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,594 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,502. The school district revenue/student has declined by 11% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,572 is less than the state median of $15,257. The school district spending/student has declined by 11% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$50 MM
$19,496 MM
Spending
$63 MM
$19,187 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,594
$15,502
Spending / Student
$14,572
$15,257
Best Salem City School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
South Salem Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1600 Carolyn Rd
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2478
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2478
Grades: PK-5
| 389 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
West Salem Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
520 N Bruffey St
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2503
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2503
Grades: PK-5
| 407 students
Rank: #33.
Andrew Lewis Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
616 South College Ave
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2513
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2513
Grades: 6-8
| 850 students
Rank: #44.
East Salem Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1765 Boulevard
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 375-7001
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 375-7001
Grades: PK-5
| 366 students
Rank: #55.
G.w. Carver Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
6 Fourth St
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2492
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2492
Grades: PK-5
| 426 students
Rank: n/an/a
510 South College Ave
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 389-0130
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 389-0130
Grades: K-12
| 667 students
Recent Articles
Understanding Self-Contained Classrooms in Public Schools
Learn about the history of public schools incorporating self-contained classrooms, and whether they are right for your child.
Can Naviance Succeed Improve College and Career Readiness?
Learn about a new student assessment system, Naviance Succeed, which provides tools and support to increase student college and career readiness. A number of school districts are using the tool this year in hopes of improving student performance through more accurate assessment process than are currently available.
Do You Need After School Day Care? Public Schools May Be the Solution
Learn about how your child's public school may be the best source of after school and vacation day care.
