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 8 public schools serving 4,318 students in Salem City School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Virginia.
Public Schools in Salem City School District have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the Virginia public school average of 54%), and reading proficiency score of 74% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Virginia public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (VA)
# Schools
8 Schools
2,143 Schools
# Students
4,318 Students
1,257,585 Students
# Teachers
355 Teachers
92,187 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 2020-2021 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 90% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#28 out of 135 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)61%
54%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)74%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)65%
59%
Graduation Rate
90%
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 Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Salem High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
400 Spartan Dr
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2437
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2437
Grades: 9-12
| 1,213 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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
Salem Alternative
Alternative School
510 S College Ave
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 389-0130
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 389-0130
Grades: n/a
| n/a 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Salem City School District?
Salem City School District manages 8 public schools serving 4,318 students.
What is the rank of Salem City School District?
Salem City School District is ranked #28 out of 135 school districts in Virginia (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2020-2021 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Virginia school districts for: Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%), Highest science proficiency (Top 20%) and Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Salem City School District?
63% of Salem City School District students are White, 17% of students are Black, 11% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Salem City School District?
Salem City School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What is Salem City School District's spending/student ratio?
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.
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