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Average

#1500 of 2,268 schools in GA

Salem Middle School

Middle School · DeKalb County

5333 Salem Rd, Lithonia, GA 30038

Enrollment

927

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lithonia

#12 of 20

public schools

Georgia middle schools

#317 of 477

In district

#93 of 131

DeKalb County

School environment

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Salem Middle School

Salem Middle School serves 927 students in grades 6 through 8 in Lithonia, Georgia, within DeKalb County. With 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 15:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school is currently focusing on student development, with academic performance showing significant room for growth.

Recent assessments indicate that 20% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 10% achieve proficiency in mathematics across grade levels. Salem Middle School ranks among Georgia's middle schools with opportunities to strengthen its academic programs and support systems. Located on Salem Road in the 30038 ZIP code area, the school serves a suburban community where the median household income is $68,650 and median home values reach $203,700.

The surrounding neighborhood reflects a diverse economic landscape, with 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.4% among the area's 41,633 residents. Salem Middle School operates as a regular public school in this large suburban setting, providing education to families throughout the greater Lithonia area in DeKalb County.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Salem Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.7Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.3%
Math vs. State Avg-32.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.5 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,594

Salem Middle School — Students at Salem Middle School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 9.9%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 17.6%
School
State
41.8%

Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
16%
ELA
20%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
16%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
14%
2024
Math
9.6%
ELA
20.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Salem Middle School Compares

See how Salem Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
34th percentile in GA
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers

Location

5333 Salem Rd, Lithonia, GA 30038

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salem Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chapel Hill Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Decatur), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Miller Grove Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Decatur), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lithonia, see our Lithonia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
EXCELL PREPARATORY CENTER Lithonia 0.4 mi 4.7
FLEMING DAY SCHOOL Lithonia 0.8 mi
Edward L. Bouie- Sr. Elementary School Lithonia 1.1 mi 7.4
TWINS ACADEMY INC. Lithonia 1.2 mi
Browns Mill Elementary School Lithonia 1.0 mi 5.1
TWINS ACADEMY INC AT 3152 Lithonia 1.2 mi
Fairington Elementary School Lithonia 1.4 mi 7.0
Flat Rock Elementary School Lithonia 1.4 mi 5.9
Martin Luther King- Jr. High School Lithonia 1.9 mi 5.4
HOWARD SCHOLARS ACADEMY Decatur 2.2 mi 3.9
FIRM FOUNDATION EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Lithonia 2.0 mi
CHILDREN FOR CHRIST ACADEMY Lithonia 2.4 mi 4.6
GREEN PASTURES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Decatur 2.1 mi
LITHONIA ADVENTIST ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Stonecrest 2.2 mi 4.9
Miller Grove High School Lithonia 2.6 mi 5.3
Leadership Preparatory Academy Lithonia 2.6 mi 4.3
Chapel Hill Middle School Decatur 2.5 mi 6.0
SHEKINAH GLORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 3.2 mi
Chapel Hill Elementary School Decatur 2.7 mi 5.8
Miller Grove Middle School Decatur 3.3 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30038 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,860

Median Home Value

$234,900

Median Rent

$1,535/mo

Population

42,744

College Educated

33%

Homeownership

62%

Avg Commute

36.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.8%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Salem Middle School has a median household income of $70,860. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,900, with a median rent of $1,535/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bay Springs Middle School Villa Rica, GA 5.6
Jonesboro Middle School Jonesboro, GA 5.6
Miller Grove Middle School Decatur, GA 5.6
Rehoboth Road Middle School Griffin, GA 5.6
Valdosta Middle School Valdosta, GA 5.6
Youth Middle School Loganville, GA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salem Middle School

What grades does Salem Middle School serve?

Salem Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Salem Middle School?

Salem Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 927 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Salem Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Salem Middle School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salem Middle School rank in GA?

Salem Middle School is ranked #1500 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Salem Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem Middle School has a composite rating of 5.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Salem Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salem Middle School has 9.9% math proficiency and 17.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Salem Middle School a charter school?

No, Salem Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Salem Middle School a Title I school?

No, Salem Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salem Middle School?

100.0% of students at Salem Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,971/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lithonia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
927
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DeKalb County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DeKalb County
District Enrollment
91,398
Schools in District
131
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,368
District Rank
#93 of 131

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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