South Salem Elementary

Summary:

South Salem Elementary is a public elementary school in Salem, Virginia, serving 388 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Salem City Public Schools district, which is ranked 20 out of 130 school districts in Virginia and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

South Salem Elementary stands out for its strong academic performance, consistently outperforming the Salem City Public Schools district and the state of Virginia in standardized test scores. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 93.75% of 5th-grade students were proficient or better in SOL/Mathematics, compared to 78.07% for the district and 67.98% for the state. The school's performance is particularly impressive in mathematics, with 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students scoring above 80% proficiency. South Salem Elementary has maintained a 4- or 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, ranking among the top 20-30% of elementary schools in Virginia.

While South Salem Elementary serves a student population that is predominantly White (79.38%), the school performs well across various student subgroups, including female students, male students, low socioeconomic status students, and disabled students. This suggests the school's success is not solely dependent on its demographics, as some nearby schools in the Roanoke County Public Schools district, such as Back Creek Elementary and Oak Grove Elementary, also demonstrate high academic achievement and rankings despite serving more diverse student populations.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1600 Carolyn Rd
       Salem, VA  24153-5999


(540) 387-2478

District: Salem City Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
212th of 1,114 Virginia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,793 Help


Students who attend South Salem Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Andrew Lewis Middle
High:    Salem High

Student/teacher ratio:  12.9 Help
Number of students:  388

Racial breakdown:

White:
79.4%
African American:
6.4%
Hispanic:
6.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  42% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details South Salem Elementary ranks better than 81% of elementary schools in Virginia. It also ranks 2nd among 4 ranked elementary schools in the Salem City Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 80.55. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a 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
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Compare Details South Salem Elementary has the largest elementary school student body size in the Salem City Public Schools District.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Salem Elementary is $8,793, which is the 2nd highest among 4 elementary schools in the Salem City Public Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

South Salem Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks South Salem Elementary 212th of 1114 Virginia public elementary schools. (See South Salem Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
White students:


Salem City Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Salem City Public Schools 20th of 130 Virginia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for South Salem Elementary

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Rank History for all students at South Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 86.74 36th 1062 96.6%
2006 82.55 76th 1071 92.9%
2007 87.23 31st 1083 97.1%
2008 76.86 159th 1081 85.3%
2009 81.03 89th 1082 91.8%
2010 69.98 269th 1113 75.8%
2011 71.43 253rd 1117 77.4%
2012 82.91 87th 1117 92.2%
2013 83.13 103rd 1120 90.8%
2014 66.75 338th 1110 69.5%
2015 69.71 301st 1100 72.6%
2016 73.04 256th 1096 76.6%
2017 77.20 188th 1099 82.9%
2018 74.36 236th 1097 78.5%
2019 69.95 326th 1105 70.5%
2021 78.33 234th 1103 78.8%
2022 73.79 291st 1109 73.8%
2023 85.87 107th 1114 90.4%
2024 80.55 212th 1114 81.0%
See the entire list of Virginia Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at South Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 80.75 117th 1036 88.7%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at South Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 81.54 152nd 1100 86.2%
2024 78.71 201st 1098 81.7%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at South Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 64.02 107th 324 67.0%
2024 68.95 91st 355 74.4%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at South Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 86.62 76th 1093 93.0%
2024 79.21 203rd 1101 81.6%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at South Salem Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 72.31 231st 984 76.5%
2024 65.27 346th 979 64.7%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Virginia 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.

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





Data source: Virginia Department of Education

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Enrollment information for South Salem Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 444 444
1990 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 458 458
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 461 461
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 474 474
1993 451 9 7 1 0 n/a n/a 0 468
1994 478 8 6 1 0 n/a n/a 0 493
1995 474 8 8 0 0 n/a n/a 0 490
1996 474 8 8 0 0 n/a n/a 0 490
1997 461 8 7 0 0 n/a n/a 0 476
1998 458 9 7 1 0 n/a n/a 0 475
1999 433 8 5 0 0 n/a n/a 0 446
2000 453 9 4 1 0 n/a n/a -4 463
2001 419 8 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 431
2002 400 8 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 411
2003 400 8 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 411
2004 397 8 5 1 3 n/a n/a 0 414
2005 381 11 9 2 5 n/a n/a 0 408
2006 397 13 12 3 4 n/a n/a 0 429
2007 406 14 12 6 4 n/a n/a 3 445
2008 419 15 11 6 2 n/a n/a 6 459
2009 392 12 8 8 2 n/a n/a 6 428
2010 395 14 3 11 1 n/a n/a 6 430
2011 414 19 2 10 0 0 6 0 451
2012 391 18 3 10 0 0 7 0 429
2013 374 19 3 10 1 0 7 0 414
2014 369 20 3 10 1 0 10 0 413
2015 371 20 4 9 1 0 12 0 417
2016 352 20 7 9 1 0 10 0 399
2017 344 16 10 14 2 0 14 0 400
2018 349 24 10 15 1 0 22 0 421
2019 351 21 6 15 0 0 26 0 419
2020 320 26 8 19 0 1 21 0 395
2021 287 19 8 25 0 2 22 0 363
2022 300 20 8 21 0 2 28 0 379
2023 308 25 7 25 0 0 23 0 388

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 South Salem Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 444 25.9 17.1 n/a
1990 458 27.8 16.4 n/a
1991 461 26.8 17.2 n/a
1992 474 27.3 17.3 n/a
1993 468 26.4 17.7 n/a
1994 493 21.1 n/a 10.8
1995 490 n/a 0.0 13.7
1996 490 n/a 0.0 13.7
1997 476 n/a 0.0 12.6
1998 475 n/a 0.0 12
1999 446 33.0 13.5 15.5
2000 463 n/a 0.0 13.3
2001 431 32.0 13.5 13.5
2002 411 39.7 10.4 12.7
2003 411 39.7 10.4 12.7
2004 414 36.0 11.5 n/a
2005 408 35.0 11.7 12.3
2006 429 33.0 13.0 17.9
2007 445 37.1 12.0 19.7
2008 459 28.4 16.2 19.2
2009 428 28.0 15.3 20.1
2010 430 28.0 15.3 27.1
2011 451 26.0 17.3 26.4
2012 429 24.0 17.8 29.1
2013 414 28.0 14.7 28.7
2014 413 26.0 15.8 30.8
2015 417 27.0 15.4 25.9
2016 399 26.0 15.3 24.8
2017 400 23.5 17.0 28
2018 421 26.5 15.8 35.4
2019 419 23.5 17.8 32.9
2020 395 25.0 15.8 31.6
2021 363 26.6 13.6 n/a
2022 379 24.7 15.3 33
2023 388 30.0 12.9 42

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 South Salem Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 444 25.9 17.1 n/a
1990 458 27.8 16.4 n/a
1991 461 26.8 17.2 n/a
1992 474 27.3 17.3 n/a
1993 468 26.4 17.7 n/a
1994 493 21.1 n/a 10.8
1995 490 n/a 0.0 13.7
1996 490 n/a 0.0 13.7
1997 476 n/a 0.0 12.6
1998 475 n/a 0.0 12
1999 446 33.0 13.5 15.5
2000 463 n/a 0.0 13.3
2001 431 32.0 13.5 13.5
2002 411 39.7 10.4 12.7
2003 411 39.7 10.4 12.7
2004 414 36.0 11.5 n/a
2005 408 35.0 11.7 12.3
2006 429 33.0 13.0 17.9
2007 445 37.1 12.0 19.7
2008 459 28.4 16.2 19.2
2009 428 28.0 15.3 20.1
2010 430 28.0 15.3 27.1
2011 451 26.0 17.3 26.4
2012 429 24.0 17.8 29.1
2013 414 28.0 14.7 28.7
2014 413 26.0 15.8 30.8
2015 417 27.0 15.4 25.9
2016 399 26.0 15.3 24.8
2017 400 23.5 17.0 28
2018 421 26.5 15.8 35.4
2019 419 23.5 17.8 32.9
2020 395 25.0 15.8 31.6
2021 363 26.6 13.6 n/a
2022 379 24.7 15.3 33
2023 388 30.0 12.9 42

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 South Salem Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $280 (3.9%) $6,931 (96.1%) $7,211
2020 $313 (4.1%) $7,366 (95.9%) $7,679
2021 $536 (6.1%) $8,258 (93.9%) $8,793

Data source: Virginia Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South 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 326th of 1105 Elementary schoolsRanks 107th of 1114 Elementary schools
 19.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (South Salem Elementary)9189.5
 1.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Salem City Public Schools)8682.9
 3.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8269.1
 12.9%
3rd Grade English Reading (South Salem Elementary)8282.5
 0.5%
   3rd Grade English Reading (Salem City Public Schools)8078.7
 1.3%
   3rd Grade English Reading (Virginia)7166.1
 4.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (South Salem Elementary)9090.3
 0.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Salem City Public Schools)8379.1
 3.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8369.7
 13.3%
4th Grade English Reading (South Salem Elementary)8491.9
 7.9%
   4th Grade English Reading (Salem City Public Schools)7779.5
 2.5%
   4th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7572.7
 2.3%
5th Grade Mathematics (South Salem Elementary)9288.7
 3.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Salem City Public Schools)8876.8
 11.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8167
 14%
5th Grade Science (South Salem Elementary)8183
 2%
   5th Grade Science (Salem City Public Schools)7967.1
 11.9%
   5th Grade Science (Virginia)7966
 13%
5th Grade English Reading (South Salem Elementary)7881.1
 3.1%
   5th Grade English Reading (Salem City Public Schools)7768.4
 8.7%
   5th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7871.4
 6.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students419388
 7.4%
African American2125
 19%
American Indian00
Asian67
 16.7%
Hispanic1525
 66.7%
Pacific Islander00
White351308
 12.3%
Two or More Races2623
 11.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients32.9%42%
 9.1%


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Frequently Asked Questions about South Salem Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 388 students attended South Salem Elementary.

Students at South Salem Elementary are 79% White, 6% African American, 6% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

South Salem Elementary ranks 212th of 1114 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

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

Middle : Andrew Lewis Middle
High : Salem High


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





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