Salem Elementary School

Summary:

Salem Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Salem, Iowa, serving grades K-5 with a total enrollment of 97 students. The school is part of the Mount Pleasant Community School District, which is ranked 205 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Salem Elementary School consistently outperforms the Mount Pleasant Community School District and the state of Iowa in academic proficiency across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 91.7% of 3rd graders, 84.6% of 4th graders, and 91.7% of 5th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the district scores of 56.8%, 72.2%, and 63%, respectively, and the state scores of 64.2%, 72.9%, and 69%. Similarly, in Mathematics, 100% of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Salem Elementary School were proficient or better, compared to the district scores of 74.4%, 78.6%, and 71.3%, and the state scores of 76.3%, 72.7%, and 70.7%. Additionally, Salem Elementary School has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 13.1 in the 2022-2023 school year, compared to the nearby schools, which have ratios ranging from 11.5 to 16.9.

The school's consistent academic excellence is evidenced by its 5-star rating from SchoolDigger in the 2023-2024 school year, placing it in the top 1% of Iowa elementary schools. However, the school's lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch compared to the nearby schools may indicate that the school serves a more affluent population, which could have implications for the resources and support available to students.

Detail:

Public K-5

412 E. Jackson St.
Salem, IA 52649

(319) 258-7799

District: Mount Pleasant Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
3^rd of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,189

Students who attend Salem Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Mount Pleasant Middle School
High:	Mount Pleasant High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.1

Number of students: 97

Racial breakdown:

White:

97.9%

Hispanic:

1.0%

Two or more races:

1.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 37.1%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Salem Elementary School ranks better than 99.5% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks first among 4 ranked elementary schools in the Mount Pleasant Community School District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 93.69. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Salem Elementary School has the smallest elementary school student body size in the Mount Pleasant Community School District. Racial makeup is: White (97.9%), Hispanic (1%), two or more races (1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 37.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Mount Pleasant Community School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Salem Elementary School is 13.1. 2 elementary schools in the Mount Pleasant Community School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Salem Elementary School employs 7.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Salem Elementary School is $13,189, which is the 2^nd highest among 4 elementary schools in the Mount Pleasant Community School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Salem Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Mount Pleasant Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Mount Pleasant Community School District 205^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Salem Elementary School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	66.33	199^th	626	68.2%
2013	65.53	211^th	624	66.2%
2014	78.09	77^th	603	87.2%
2015	87.62	16^th	616	97.4%
2016	68.04	200^th	599	66.6%
2017	63.12	244^th	574	57.5%
2018	76.31	103^rd	567	81.8%
2019	82.78	70^th	603	88.4%
2021	70.36	154^th	567	72.8%
2022	84.42	49^th	574	91.5%
2023	81.22	71^st	565	87.4%
2024	93.69	3^rd	557	99.5%

See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Salem Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	141	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	141
1989	151	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	151
1990	153	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	153
1991	160	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	161
1992	151	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	151
1993	161	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	164
1994	164	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	167
1995	115	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	119
1996	115	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	119
1997	109	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	112
1998	104	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	107
1999	98	1	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	104
2000	104	2	1	1	n/a	n/a	-8	100
2001	89	0	2	1	n/a	n/a	0	92
2002	99	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	102
2003	99	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	102
2004	100	4	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	106
2005	100	6	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	108
2006	104	5	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	109
2007	103	4	0	2	n/a	n/a	0	109
2008	100	2	1	2	n/a	n/a	0	105
2009	100	2	2	2	n/a	n/a	0	106
2010	101	0	2	1	0	0	0	104
2011	124	0	1	2	0	0	0	127
2012	117	1	1	1	0	0	0	120
2013	117	1	1	1	0	0	0	120
2014	110	1	1	1	0	0	0	113
2015	92	1	0	1	0	0	0	94
2016	113	1	0	3	0	2	0	119
2017	110	1	0	5	0	1	0	117
2018	123	0	0	3	0	0	0	126
2019	109	0	0	3	0	5	0	117
2020	114	0	0	4	0	4	0	122
2021	96	0	0	5	0	2	0	103
2022	90	0	0	1	0	1	0	92
2023	95	0	0	1	0	1	0	97

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 Salem Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	141	8.3	16.9	17.7
1989	151	7.7	19.6	12.6
1990	153	7.7	19.8	13.1
1991	161	7.7	20.9	12.4
1992	151	7.0	21.5	18.5
1993	164	6.5	25.2	20.7
1994	167	7.5	22.3	24.6
1995	119	7.0	17.0	17.6
1996	119	7.0	17.0	17.6
1997	112	7.0	16.0	27.7
1998	107	7.0	15.3	21.5
1999	104	7.6	13.7	26.9
2000	100	7.6	13.2	29.6
2001	92	7.6	12.1	22.8
2002	102	7.5	13.6	36.3
2003	102	7.5	13.6	36.3
2004	106	7.5	14.1	31.1
2005	108	7.8	13.8	31.5
2006	109	6.6	16.5	29.4
2007	109	7.6	14.3	33
2008	105	7.3	14.4	31.4
2009	106	7.6	13.9	39.6
2010	104	8.1	12.8	37.5
2011	127	8.3	15.3	40.9
2012	120	9.0	13.3	35.8
2013	120	9.0	13.3	45.8
2014	113	8.0	14.1	48.7
2015	94	9.0	10.4	43.6
2016	119	8.0	14.8	38.7
2017	117	8.0	14.6	43.6
2018	126	7.8	16.1	42.9
2019	117	7.7	15.1	40.2
2020	122	7.7	15.8	47.5
2021	103	7.5	13.7	44.7
2022	92	7.5	12.2	39.1
2023	97	7.4	13.1	37.1

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 Salem Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	141	8.3	16.9	17.7
1989	151	7.7	19.6	12.6
1990	153	7.7	19.8	13.1
1991	161	7.7	20.9	12.4
1992	151	7.0	21.5	18.5
1993	164	6.5	25.2	20.7
1994	167	7.5	22.3	24.6
1995	119	7.0	17.0	17.6
1996	119	7.0	17.0	17.6
1997	112	7.0	16.0	27.7
1998	107	7.0	15.3	21.5
1999	104	7.6	13.7	26.9
2000	100	7.6	13.2	29.6
2001	92	7.6	12.1	22.8
2002	102	7.5	13.6	36.3
2003	102	7.5	13.6	36.3
2004	106	7.5	14.1	31.1
2005	108	7.8	13.8	31.5
2006	109	6.6	16.5	29.4
2007	109	7.6	14.3	33
2008	105	7.3	14.4	31.4
2009	106	7.6	13.9	39.6
2010	104	8.1	12.8	37.5
2011	127	8.3	15.3	40.9
2012	120	9.0	13.3	35.8
2013	120	9.0	13.3	45.8
2014	113	8.0	14.1	48.7
2015	94	9.0	10.4	43.6
2016	119	8.0	14.8	38.7
2017	117	8.0	14.6	43.6
2018	126	7.8	16.1	42.9
2019	117	7.7	15.1	40.2
2020	122	7.7	15.8	47.5
2021	103	7.5	13.7	44.7
2022	92	7.5	12.2	39.1
2023	97	7.4	13.1	37.1

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 Salem Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$487 (3.7%)	$12,702 (96.3%)	$13,189

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Salem Elementary School

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 70^th of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 71^st of 565 Elementary schools	1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Salem Elementary School)	63.6	66.7	3.1%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mount Pleasant Community School District)	63.8	58.8	5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Salem Elementary School)	72.7	93.3	20.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Mount Pleasant Community School District)	58.8	81.5	22.7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Salem Elementary School)	100	85.7	14.3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Mount Pleasant Community School District)	77.3	72.4	4.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Salem Elementary School)	100	92.9	7.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Mount Pleasant Community School District)	84	77.1	6.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Salem Elementary School)	84.2	82.4	1.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mount Pleasant Community School District)	71.4	62.4	9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Salem Elementary School)	94.7	88.2	6.5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Mount Pleasant Community School District)	73.4	68.4	5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	117	97	17.1%
African American	0	0
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	3	1	66.7%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	109	95	12.8%
Two or More Races	5	1	80%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	40.2%	37.1%	3.1%

Schools Near Salem Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)				ISASP Mathematics (2024)				ISASP Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 4th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 6th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 3rd Grade	ISASP Mathematics 4th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 6th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Salem Elementary School	Public	K-5	412 E. Jackson St.	Salem	52649	Henry County	Mount Pleasant Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 258-7799	97	7	13.1	37.1%	95 (97.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	93.7	3^rd of 557 public elementary schools	99.5%		81.2	71^st of 565 public elementary schools	87.4%	68	91.7	84.6	91.7		100.0	100.0	100.0		91.7	$13,189	$487	$12,702
Lincoln Elementary School	Public	K-5	501 S Corkhill	Mount Pleasant	52641	Henry County	Mount Pleasant Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 385-7765	211	18	11.5	49.8%	168 (79.6%)	2 (0.9%)	25 (11.8%)	7 (3.3%)	4 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.4%)	43.1	375^th of 557 public elementary schools	32.7%		48.1	342^nd of 565 public elementary schools	39.5%	33	42.1	66.7	70.0		68.4	80.6	70.0		63.3	$12,116	$766	$11,351
Van Allen Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	801 E Henry Street	Mount Pleasant	52641	Henry County	Mount Pleasant Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 385-7771	315	26	12.3	54.3%	226 (71.7%)	15 (4.8%)	52 (16.5%)	6 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (5.1%)	29.4	444^th of 557 public elementary schools	20.3%		42.6	380^th of 565 public elementary schools	32.7%	64	56.1	62.5	45.2		63.4	67.5	67.7		54.8	$13,319	$745	$12,574
Harlan Elementary School	Public	K-5	1001 N. Main Street	Mount Pleasant	52641	Henry County	Mount Pleasant Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 385-7762	220	16	13.6	48.2%	165 (75.0%)	6 (2.7%)	25 (11.4%)	13 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (5.0%)	58	269^th of 557 public elementary schools	51.7%		46.2	358^th of 565 public elementary schools	36.6%	89	61.8	83.8	62.9		85.3	81.1	65.7		62.9	$12,181	$688	$11,493
Van Buren County Community School District Harmony Center	Public	PK, KG-6	33727 Rte J40	Farmington	52626	Van Buren County	Van Buren County Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 592-3600	189	16	12.1	66.7%	179 (94.7%)	1 (0.5%)	3 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.2%)	20.9	467^th of 557 public elementary schools	16.2%		33.2	434^th of 565 public elementary schools	23.2%	33	63.2	32.1	56.3	50.0	84.2	42.9	37.5	70.0	31.3
Clark Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	401 S Walnut St	New London	52645	Henry County	New London Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 367-0507	289	23	12.5	39.1%	262 (90.7%)	7 (2.4%)	10 (3.5%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.8%)	49.4	335^th of 557 public elementary schools	39.9%		45.8	361^st of 565 public elementary schools	36.1%	26	67.2	61.7	73.0		70.7	66.0	78.4		67.6	$12,091	$638	$11,453
Danville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	419 South Main Street	Danville	52623	Des Moines County	Danville Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 392-4221	376	27	13.6	35.9%	360 (95.7%)	2 (0.5%)	3 (0.8%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.1%)	72.1	140^th of 557 public elementary schools	74.9%		69.6	172^nd of 565 public elementary schools	69.6%	32	75.0	76.3	82.4	75.0	89.6	86.4	88.2	84.1	58.8	$10,174	$277	$9,896
Central Lee Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2642 Highway 218	Donnellson	52625	Lee County	Central Lee Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 835-9510	657	39	16.9	35.3%	625 (95.1%)	8 (1.2%)	15 (2.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	7 (1.1%)	48.3	347^th of 557 public elementary schools	37.7%		42.3	382^nd of 565 public elementary schools	32.4%	35	73.0	74.7	45.1		88.3	80.0	58.8		49.0	$9,302	$340	$8,962

Frequently Asked Questions about Salem Elementary School

Is Salem Elementary School a good school?

Yes! Salem Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 3^rd of 557 Iowa elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Salem Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Salem Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Mount Pleasant Middle School
High : Mount Pleasant High School

What is the racial makeup of Salem Elementary School?

Students at Salem Elementary School are 98% White, 1% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races.

How many students attend Salem Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 97 students attended Salem Elementary School.

What district is Salem Elementary School in?

Mount Pleasant Community School District

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