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Needs Improvement

#2143 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

3.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#2,143 of 2,268

In Lithonia

#18 of 20

public schools

In district

#119 of 131

DeKalb County

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Salem Middle School

3.4/10

Middle School in Lithonia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Excell Preparatory Center

4.7/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Fleming Day School

Nearby

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Salem Middle School

Salem Middle School is a public middle school in Lithonia, GA, part of DeKalb County. Salem Middle School serves approximately 927 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Salem Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,143 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Salem Middle School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.9
  • GA avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

41% of students at Salem Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.6% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.3% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-32.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.5 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,368
Chronic Absenteeism41%

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 29.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 42.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
41.8% (2024 GA)

Based on 30 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
58%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
91%
2013
Math
64%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
11%
ELA
21%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
20%
2017
Math
11%
ELA
20%
2018
Math
16%
ELA
20%
2019
Math
16%
ELA
20%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
16%
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: 2.9/10.

How Salem Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
6th percentile in GA
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 4.8/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Decatur), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Miller Grove Middle School (rated 2.5/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Decatur), with a comparable 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 6.6
TWINS ACADEMY INC. Lithonia 1.2 mi
Browns Mill Elementary School Lithonia 1.0 mi 3.6
TWINS ACADEMY INC AT 3152 Lithonia 1.2 mi
Fairington Elementary School Lithonia 1.4 mi 3.6
Flat Rock Elementary School Lithonia 1.4 mi 3.7
Martin Luther King- Jr. High School Lithonia 1.9 mi 3.6
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 3.6
Leadership Preparatory Academy Lithonia 2.6 mi 6.3
Chapel Hill Middle School Decatur 2.5 mi 4.8
SHEKINAH GLORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 3.2 mi
Chapel Hill Elementary School Decatur 2.7 mi 4.3
Miller Grove Middle School Decatur 3.3 mi 2.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Jonesboro Middle School Jonesboro, GA 3.4
Kendrick Middle School Jonesboro, GA 3.4
Pine Hill Middle School Hephzibah, GA 3.4
Snelson-Golden Middle School Hinesville, GA 3.4
Appling Middle School Macon, GA 3.3
Cedar Grove Middle School Decatur, GA 3.5

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 ranks #2,143 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Salem Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Salem Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Salem Middle School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.0%

District

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

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