Salem Middle School

Summary:

Salem Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 3-8 in the Pennsville School District in Salem, New Jersey, with a student population of 487 as of the 2022-2023 school year. The school has consistently ranked among the lowest-performing middle schools in New Jersey, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past several years.

Salem Middle School's academic performance is significantly below the state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2022-2023 school year, only 9.6% of 3rd-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 42%. The school also has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching 40% in the 2021-2022 school year, which is significantly higher than the state average. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with 79.26% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2022-2023 school year. The school's performance on state assessments is particularly low for African American, Hispanic, and special education students, with these subgroups ranking in the bottom 10-20% of middle schools in New Jersey.

In comparison, the nearby middle schools, such as Pleasant Valley School, Pittsgrove Township Middle School, and Kingsway Regional Middle School, have significantly higher academic performance, lower chronic absenteeism rates, and serve more affluent student populations. Despite being a low-performing school for several years, Salem Middle School has not shown significant improvement in its academic outcomes or other key metrics, indicating a need for more substantial interventions and support.


Detail:

Public 3-8

 51 New Market Street
       Salem, NJ  08079-9048


(856) 935-2700

District: Salem City School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
737th of 748 New Jersey Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,419 Help


Students who attend Salem Middle School usually attend:

High:    Salem High School

Feeder schools for Salem Middle School:

Elementary:    John Fenwick Academy

Student/teacher ratio:  16.2 Help
Number of students:  487

Racial breakdown:

African American:
69.2%
Hispanic:
18.7%
White:
8.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  79.3% Help


 See top rated New Jersey middle schools

 Compare Salem Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Salem Middle School ranks worse than 97.8% of elementary schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 5.57. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details Salem Middle School ranks worse than 98.5% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 7.3. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (69.2%), Hispanic (18.7%), White (8.8%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 79.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Salem Middle School is 16.2. (See more...)
Help
Compare Salem Middle School employs 30 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Salem Middle School is $9,419.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Salem Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Salem Middle School 1312th of 1342 New Jersey public elementary schools. (See Salem Middle School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:

SchoolDigger ranks Salem Middle School 737th of 748 New Jersey public middle schools. (See Salem Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:


Salem City School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Salem City School District 602nd of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Salem Middle School?

Rank History for Salem Middle School

Help
Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 1.01 1178th 1204 2.2%
2004 0.69 1279th 1298 1.5%
2005 2.70 1263rd 1303 3.1%
2006 5.85 1224th 1314 6.8%
2007 13.57 1188th 1329 10.6%
2008 4.01 1286th 1338 3.9%
2009 3.96 1294th 1346 3.9%
2010 2.34 1325th 1354 2.1%
2011 2.76 1319th 1360 3.0%
2012 5.06 1292nd 1363 5.2%
2013 5.93 1279th 1367 6.4%
2014 3.35 1306th 1363 4.2%
2015 6.15 1294th 1357 4.6%
2016 4.62 1303rd 1346 3.2%
2017 2.83 1339th 1352 1.0%
2018 3.43 1326th 1353 2.0%
2019 2.66 1349th 1360 0.8%
2021 6.75 1281st 1317 2.7%
2022 6.57 1309th 1345 2.7%
2023 5.57 1312th 1342 2.2%
See the entire list of New Jersey Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.45 926th 1001 7.5%
2019 13.09 936th 1007 7.1%
2021 14.08 819th 868 5.6%
2022 13.48 902nd 949 5.0%
2023 13.86 877th 958 8.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 9.51 917th 942 2.7%
2021 8.95 764th 839 8.9%
2022 12.33 754th 863 12.6%
2023 10.83 788th 910 13.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 3.70 1289th 1333 3.3%
2019 3.10 1299th 1331 2.4%
2021 9.09 1228th 1290 4.8%
2022 7.30 1255th 1326 5.4%
2023 6.25 1258th 1318 4.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 4.12 1294th 1334 3.0%
2019 3.05 1305th 1335 2.2%
2021 6.42 1252nd 1297 3.5%
2022 6.50 1280th 1324 3.3%
2023 6.23 1258th 1315 4.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.40 438th 517 15.3%
2019 10.90 511th 522 2.1%
2021 18.41 423rd 456 7.2%
2022 15.87 458th 494 7.3%
2023 15.63 430th 463 7.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 5.97 829th 899 7.8%
2021 11.75 883rd 896 1.5%
2022 14.93 836th 953 12.3%
2023 6.82 927th 982 5.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 1.21 992nd 1022 2.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Salem Middle School

Help
Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 3.97 534th 574 7.0%
2004 0.89 580th 588 1.4%
2005 6.87 542nd 599 9.5%
2006 6.16 562nd 615 8.6%
2007 8.87 567th 631 10.1%
2008 8.98 573rd 640 10.5%
2009 8.98 595th 664 10.4%
2010 10.86 604th 677 10.8%
2011 2.81 657th 684 3.9%
2012 5.88 631st 677 6.8%
2013 4.74 660th 704 6.3%
2014 4.97 665th 717 7.3%
2015 11.39 642nd 713 10.0%
2016 11.66 634th 713 11.1%
2017 5.27 694th 712 2.5%
2018 4.84 704th 716 1.7%
2019 4.51 736th 745 1.2%
2021 9.73 619th 652 5.1%
2022 7.18 742nd 745 0.4%
2023 7.30 737th 748 1.5%
See the entire list of New Jersey Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.16 470th 471 0.2%
2019 13.96 484th 492 1.6%
2021 24.09 318th 401 20.7%
2022 19.81 496th 535 7.3%
2023 16.40 489th 505 3.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 20.41 374th 467 19.9%
2022 11.09 492nd 549 10.4%
2023 7.77 510th 568 10.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 5.44 660th 680 2.9%
2019 3.91 695th 703 1.1%
2021 9.52 602nd 625 3.7%
2022 8.32 712th 726 1.9%
2023 7.53 705th 720 2.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 5.15 665th 675 1.5%
2019 6.35 685th 697 1.7%
2021 13.32 561st 635 11.7%
2022 7.09 723rd 730 1.0%
2023 6.76 709th 718 1.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.92 263rd 326 19.3%
2019 15.42 309th 326 5.2%
2021 25.48 242nd 291 16.8%
2022 15.16 349th 356 2.0%
2023 15.37 343rd 361 5.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Salem Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 8.38 481st 504 4.6%
2021 11.75 472nd 480 1.7%
2023 8.45 575th 587 2.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey Department of Education, 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 Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Salem Middle School.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Salem Middle School, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Salem Middle School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 109 300 7 19 0 n/a n/a 0 435
1989 99 268 7 20 0 n/a n/a 0 394
1990 96 282 0 17 2 n/a n/a 0 397
1991 85 261 3 18 0 n/a n/a 0 367
1992 77 248 1 19 0 n/a n/a 0 345
1993 73 272 0 16 0 n/a n/a 0 361
1994 60 236 0 53 5 n/a n/a 0 354
1995 53 273 0 21 0 n/a n/a 0 347
1996 53 273 0 21 0 n/a n/a 0 347
1998 65 298 1 17 0 n/a n/a 0 381
1999 49 310 2 14 0 n/a n/a 0 375
2000 53 322 3 12 0 n/a n/a 0 390
2001 43 323 3 26 3 n/a n/a 0 398
2002 36 381 1 24 2 n/a n/a 0 444
2003 36 381 1 24 2 n/a n/a 0 444
2004 45 364 0 25 5 n/a n/a 0 439
2005 44 417 0 31 1 n/a n/a 0 493
2006 61 534 0 43 0 n/a n/a 0 638
2007 50 430 1 31 0 n/a n/a 0 512
2008 37 413 1 34 1 n/a n/a 0 486
2009 31 405 3 27 1 0 0 0 467
2010 27 406 4 28 4 0 0 0 469
2011 22 394 2 31 0 0 0 0 449
2012 36 382 3 30 0 0 0 0 451
2013 36 367 4 32 0 0 0 0 439
2014 34 343 4 44 1 0 0 0 426
2015 33 316 4 37 1 0 0 0 391
2016 28 324 5 36 2 0 1 0 396
2017 34 297 2 41 3 0 2 0 379
2018 40 279 2 51 2 0 7 0 381
2019 42 307 1 53 2 0 7 0 412
2020 59 325 1 55 2 0 8 0 450
2021 48 316 0 53 2 0 10 0 429
2022 42 318 0 68 2 0 14 0 444
2023 43 337 0 91 2 0 14 0 487

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 Middle School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 435 34.0 12.7 n/a
1989 394 34.0 11.5 n/a
1990 397 33.0 12.0 62
1991 367 34.0 10.7 69.8
1992 345 36.0 9.5 69.6
1993 361 35.0 10.3 66.5
1994 354 31.6 11.2 74.6
1995 347 31.0 11.2 74.9
1996 347 31.0 11.2 74.9
1998 381 35.9 10.6 77.7
1999 375 36.0 10.4 79.2
2000 390 37.0 10.5 89.2
2001 398 37.3 10.7 87.4
2002 444 42.0 10.6 86.5
2003 444 42.0 10.6 86.5
2004 439 41.0 10.7 87.7
2005 493 53.0 9.3 n/a
2006 638 54.0 11.8 51.7
2007 512 56.0 9.1 75.2
2008 486 39.0 12.5 80.2
2009 467 50.4 7.9 84.6
2010 469 44.0 10.6 90
2011 449 46.0 9.7 93.5
2012 451 44.7 10.0 94.9
2013 439 45.0 9.7 92.3
2014 426 41.0 10.3 91.8
2015 391 41.0 9.5 87.2
2016 396 42.0 9.4 57.3
2017 379 40.0 9.4 77.8
2018 381 39.0 9.7 86.4
2019 412 40.0 10.3 88.1
2020 450 41.0 10.9 79.8
2021 429 36.0 11.9 58.7
2022 444 33.0 13.4 75
2023 487 30.0 16.2 79.3

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 Middle School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 435 34.0 12.7 n/a
1989 394 34.0 11.5 n/a
1990 397 33.0 12.0 62
1991 367 34.0 10.7 69.8
1992 345 36.0 9.5 69.6
1993 361 35.0 10.3 66.5
1994 354 31.6 11.2 74.6
1995 347 31.0 11.2 74.9
1996 347 31.0 11.2 74.9
1998 381 35.9 10.6 77.7
1999 375 36.0 10.4 79.2
2000 390 37.0 10.5 89.2
2001 398 37.3 10.7 87.4
2002 444 42.0 10.6 86.5
2003 444 42.0 10.6 86.5
2004 439 41.0 10.7 87.7
2005 493 53.0 9.3 n/a
2006 638 54.0 11.8 51.7
2007 512 56.0 9.1 75.2
2008 486 39.0 12.5 80.2
2009 467 50.4 7.9 84.6
2010 469 44.0 10.6 90
2011 449 46.0 9.7 93.5
2012 451 44.7 10.0 94.9
2013 439 45.0 9.7 92.3
2014 426 41.0 10.3 91.8
2015 391 41.0 9.5 87.2
2016 396 42.0 9.4 57.3
2017 379 40.0 9.4 77.8
2018 381 39.0 9.7 86.4
2019 412 40.0 10.3 88.1
2020 450 41.0 10.9 79.8
2021 429 36.0 11.9 58.7
2022 444 33.0 13.4 75
2023 487 30.0 16.2 79.3

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 Middle School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $430 (4.6%) $8,989 (95.4%) $9,419

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Salem Middle 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 1349th of 1360 Elementary schoolsRanks 1312th of 1342 Elementary schools
 1.4%
Ranks 736th of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 737th of 748 Middle schools
 0.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Salem Middle School)14.69.6
 5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Salem City School District)14.69.6
 5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)50.242
 8.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Salem Middle School)9.86.9
 2.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Salem City School District)9.86.9
 2.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)55.145.9
 9.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Salem Middle School)16.713.1
 3.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Salem City School District)16.713.1
 3.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.451.3
 6.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Salem Middle School)5.66.5
 0.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Salem City School District)5.66.5
 0.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)5144.3
 6.7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Salem Middle School)11.58.3
 3.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Salem City School District)11.58.3
 3.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.953.2
 4.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Salem Middle School)4.81.7
 3.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Salem City School District)4.81.7
 3.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)46.840.1
 6.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Salem Middle School)14.110.7
 3.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Salem City School District)14.110.7
 3.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)56.149
 7.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Salem Middle School)04
 4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Salem City School District)04
 4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)40.634.3
 6.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Salem Middle School)16.34.9
 11.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Salem City School District)16.34.9
 11.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Salem Middle School)5.50
 5.5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Salem City School District)5.50
 5.5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Salem Middle School)31.916.9
 15%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Salem City School District)31.916.9
 15%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Salem Middle School)00
   8th Grade Mathematics (Salem City School District)00
   8th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)29.317.8
 11.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students412487
 18.2%
African American307337
 9.8%
American Indian22
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic5391
 71.7%
Pacific Islander00
White4243
 2.4%
Two or More Races714
 100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients88.1%79.3%
 8.8%


Schools Near Salem Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Salem Middle School

Salem Middle School ranks in the bottom 1.5% of New Jersey middle schools.

Students who attend Salem Middle School usually go on to attend Salem High School

Students at Salem Middle School are 69% African American, 19% Hispanic, 9% White, 3% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 487 students attended Salem Middle School.


Rate Salem Middle School!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Salem Middle School!




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





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 298 milliseconds.