Salem Elementary

Summary:

Salem Elementary is a public elementary school in Apex, North Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade as part of the Wake County Schools district. The school has a diverse student population, with a racial makeup that has fluctuated in recent years.

Salem Elementary has consistently ranked in the top 20% of North Carolina elementary schools, with strong academic performance, particularly in mathematics and science. The school's female students and Asian student population perform exceptionally well, ranking in the top 12% and top 50% of North Carolina elementary schools, respectively. However, the school's African American and Hispanic student populations have struggled, ranking in the bottom 25% of the state. Salem Elementary maintains a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 12.6 to 14.1 students per teacher over the past three school years.

Interestingly, nearby schools like Olive Chapel Elementary, Scotts Ridge Elementary, and Green Hope Elementary consistently outperform Salem Elementary on state standardized tests, with higher proficiency rates across all subject areas and grade levels. These top-performing schools also have lower percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a potential correlation between socioeconomic status and academic achievement. Despite Salem Elementary's higher per-student spending compared to some of these nearby schools, the school faces challenges in addressing the achievement gaps for its African American and Hispanic students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 6116 Old Jenks Road
       Apex, NC  27523


(919) 363-2865

District: Wake County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
219th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,097 Help


Students who attend Salem Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Salem Middle
High:    Apex High
    Wake Early College of Health and Science
    Wake STEM Early College High School
    Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  12.6 Help
Number of students:  735

Racial breakdown:

White:
50.9%
Asian:
22.6%
Hispanic:
16.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  24.2% Help


 See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Salem Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Salem Elementary ranks better than 85.4% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 37th among 115 ranked elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 81.5. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Salem Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (50.9%), Asian (22.6%), Hispanic (16.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 24.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Salem Elementary is 12.6, which is the 36th best among 115 elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Salem Elementary employs 58 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Salem Elementary is $10,097, which is the 56th highest among 115 elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Salem Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Salem Elementary 219th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Salem Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Wake County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Wake County Schools 59th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Salem Elementary.

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Rank History for Salem Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 85.18 103rd 1276 91.9%
2007 88.01 53rd 1293 95.9%
2008 92.29 40th 1324 97.0%
2009 86.41 105th 1354 92.2%
2010 82.58 151st 1363 88.9%
2011 81.48 177th 1381 87.2%
2012 76.67 269th 1388 80.6%
2013 92.18 81st 1403 94.2%
2014 87.87 129th 1390 90.7%
2015 80.70 227th 1440 84.2%
2016 63.98 494th 1425 65.3%
2017 63.02 522nd 1429 63.5%
2018 49.71 757th 1434 47.2%
2019 50.35 758th 1473 48.5%
2021 75.47 308th 1489 79.3%
2022 84.10 194th 1514 87.2%
2023 83.54 189th 1502 87.4%
2024 81.50 219th 1505 85.4%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.56 395th 421 6.2%
2019 16.51 483rd 497 2.8%
2021 65.73 65th 385 83.1%
2022 62.58 104th 485 78.6%
2023 43.67 264th 514 48.6%
2024 33.85 370th 533 30.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 67.70 150th 801 81.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.02 1278th 1332 4.1%
2019 20.62 1199th 1361 11.9%
2021 34.67 873rd 1329 34.3%
2022 32.26 986th 1366 27.8%
2023 42.98 853rd 1437 40.6%
2024 25.37 1218th 1450 16.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.36 888th 1405 36.8%
2019 47.94 780th 1424 45.2%
2021 76.51 270th 1440 81.3%
2022 83.99 173rd 1458 88.1%
2023 83.10 173rd 1459 88.1%
2024 86.07 139th 1455 90.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.26 504th 897 43.8%
2019 41.61 498th 878 43.3%
2021 70.81 95th 646 85.3%
2022 75.41 73rd 634 88.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 66.50 27th 612 95.6%
2021 54.20 297th 494 39.9%
2022 64.06 172nd 500 65.6%
2023 62.92 217th 582 62.7%
2024 49.79 476th 669 28.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.16 607th 1413 57.0%
2019 51.84 708th 1430 50.5%
2021 71.82 363rd 1444 74.9%
2022 81.39 210th 1464 85.7%
2023 81.24 209th 1461 85.7%
2024 73.24 334th 1464 77.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 46.39 69th 95 27.4%
2022 59.00 62nd 107 42.1%
2023 64.70 52nd 114 54.4%
2024 64.55 61st 130 53.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 10.52 902nd 927 2.7%
2019 25.47 797th 949 16.0%
2022 62.61 258th 927 72.2%
2024 20.80 816th 924 11.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.17 757th 851 11.0%
2019 19.24 792nd 865 8.4%
2021 42.82 453rd 843 46.3%
2022 56.16 326th 893 63.5%
2023 49.00 454th 915 50.4%
2024 23.18 827th 951 13.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.53 283rd 1178 76.0%
2019 73.53 270th 1183 77.2%
2021 68.14 334th 1172 71.5%
2022 72.58 287th 1194 76.0%
2023 76.06 235th 1183 80.1%
2024 79.85 199th 1166 82.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Salem Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.4)
40%

20%

0%

20%

20%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Saturday, October 31, 2020

Open Quote Great administrators and dedicated teachers. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, June 7, 2019

Open Quote Teachers have been great, though most teachers with experience have left to get away from the current admin. Even the newly hired teachers are doing the same thing. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Open Quote Lots of bused in students from Raleigh. Downhill big time since 2016. Good teachers leaving left and right and I don't blame them! The new Administration is lacking in experience. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Salem Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2001 424 67 39 39 1 n/a n/a 0 570
2002 499 79 46 55 0 n/a n/a 0 679
2003 499 79 46 55 0 n/a n/a 0 679
2004 536 83 75 62 0 n/a n/a 0 756
2005 522 74 98 63 0 n/a n/a 0 757
2006 498 84 115 59 0 n/a n/a 0 756
2007 503 46 109 67 5 n/a n/a 44 774
2008 659 40 127 65 5 n/a n/a 41 937
2009 655 73 122 87 6 n/a n/a 0 943
2010 627 97 128 96 4 n/a n/a 0 952
2011 587 44 115 151 1 0 40 0 938
2012 592 33 93 164 0 0 34 0 916
2013 594 53 84 162 1 0 33 0 927
2014 509 50 78 179 1 1 31 0 849
2015 424 55 56 163 1 0 23 0 722
2016 340 48 52 159 1 0 9 0 609
2017 298 49 59 165 0 0 14 0 585
2018 280 55 44 166 0 0 16 0 561
2019 318 39 61 154 1 0 11 0 584
2020 401 41 96 160 0 0 14 0 712
2021 435 56 157 163 3 1 19 0 834
2022 472 76 233 153 7 0 21 0 962
2023 374 61 166 118 1 0 15 0 735

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

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2001 570 35.0 16.3 n/a
2002 679 44.0 15.4 17.8
2003 679 44.0 15.4 17.8
2004 756 44.0 17.2 20.1
2005 757 45.0 16.8 15.9
2006 756 49.0 15.4 14.2
2007 774 n/a n/a 16.6
2008 937 58.9 15.9 n/a
2009 943 59.4 15.9 n/a
2010 952 57.0 16.7 17.5
2011 938 58.3 16.0 19.7
2012 916 57.1 16.0 21.8
2013 927 59.2 15.6 22.4
2014 849 56.5 15.0 24.7
2015 722 46.0 15.6 27.1
2016 609 44.0 13.8 29.4
2017 585 40.8 14.3 35.7
2018 561 43.0 13.0 32.1
2019 584 42.5 13.7 28.9
2020 712 48.6 14.6 23.9
2021 834 60.0 13.9 16.3
2022 962 68.0 14.1 10.7
2023 735 58.0 12.6 24.2

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

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2001 570 35.0 16.3 n/a
2002 679 44.0 15.4 17.8
2003 679 44.0 15.4 17.8
2004 756 44.0 17.2 20.1
2005 757 45.0 16.8 15.9
2006 756 49.0 15.4 14.2
2007 774 n/a n/a 16.6
2008 937 58.9 15.9 n/a
2009 943 59.4 15.9 n/a
2010 952 57.0 16.7 17.5
2011 938 58.3 16.0 19.7
2012 916 57.1 16.0 21.8
2013 927 59.2 15.6 22.4
2014 849 56.5 15.0 24.7
2015 722 46.0 15.6 27.1
2016 609 44.0 13.8 29.4
2017 585 40.8 14.3 35.7
2018 561 43.0 13.0 32.1
2019 584 42.5 13.7 28.9
2020 712 48.6 14.6 23.9
2021 834 60.0 13.9 16.3
2022 962 68.0 14.1 10.7
2023 735 58.0 12.6 24.2

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

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $801 (7.9%) $9,296 (92.1%) $10,097

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Salem Elementary

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 758th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 189th of 1502 Elementary schools
 38.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Salem Elementary)54.174.1
 20%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)69.467.4
 2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Salem Elementary)56.160.4
 4.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)6658.7
 7.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Salem Elementary)78.873.9
 4.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6565
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Salem Elementary)71.775.7
 4%
   4th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)63.265.7
 2.5%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Salem Elementary)50.677.1
 26.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6665.6
 0.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Salem Elementary)42.967.8
 24.9%
   5th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)60.659.1
 1.5%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Salem Elementary)6177.1
 16.1%
   5th Grade Science (Wake County Schools)71.370.6
 0.7%
   5th Grade Science (North Carolina)72.665.3
 7.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students584735
 25.9%
African American3961
 56.4%
American Indian11
Asian61166
 172.1%
Hispanic154118
 23.4%
Pacific Islander00
White318374
 17.6%
Two or More Races1115
 36.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients28.9%24.2%
 4.7%


Schools Near Salem Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Salem Elementary

Students at Salem Elementary are 51% White, 23% Asian, 16% Hispanic, 8% African American, 2% Two or more races.

Salem Elementary ranks 219th of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 735 students attended Salem Elementary.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

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.





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