Below Average
#2014 of 2,268 schools in GA
South Salem Elementary School
Elementary School · Newton County
5335 Salem Rd, Covington, GA 30016
Enrollment
848
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
848
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Covington
#9 of 21
public schools
Georgia elementary schools
#1,175 of 1,301
In district
#10 of 22
Newton County
About South Salem Elementary School
South Salem Elementary School serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students in Covington, Georgia, within Newton County. The school enrolls 848 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 and 55 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Located in a large suburban area, South Salem is a regular public school.
Academically, South Salem Elementary is working to build stronger student achievement. In English Language Arts, 19% of students tested as proficient or above, while 14% met proficiency benchmarks in math across grade levels. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 reflects an academic score of 2.1 out of 10, with the school currently ranking at the 6th percentile among Georgia's 2,271 schools.
These metrics indicate that South Salem Elementary has substantial room for academic growth and improvement. The school serves families throughout the Covington suburban community and is working to support student development during these formative elementary years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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South Salem Elementary School — Students at South Salem Elementary School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.5/10.
How South Salem Elementary School Compares
See how South Salem Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 14.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 20.8% (2024).
Location
5335 Salem Rd, Covington, GA 30016
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Salem Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Porterdale Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Peek's Chapel Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Conyers), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GEORGIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Covington, see our Covington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty Middle School Covington | 0.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Livingston Elementary School Covington | 1.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Live Oak Elementary Covington | 2.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Veterans Memorial Middle School Covington | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Newton High School Covington | 2.4 mi | 4.0 |
| West Newton Elementary School Covington | 2.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Clements Middle School Covington | 3.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Porterdale Elementary School Covington | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Fairview Elementary Covington | 3.2 mi | 3.4 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Covington | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
| YOUNG AMERICANS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Conyers | 3.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Salem High School Conyers | 3.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Middle Ridge Elementary School Covington | 3.6 mi | 5.9 |
| GEORGIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Covington | 3.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Memorial Middle School Conyers | 4.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Peek's Chapel Elementary Conyers | 4.4 mi | 7.3 |
| FAITH ACADEMY Conyers | 4.7 mi | 4.9 |
| CONYERS ADVENTIST ACADEMY Conyers | 4.5 mi | 3.9 |
| CONYERS ADVENTIST ACADEMY Conyers | 4.5 mi | 4.0 |
| PEACHTREE ACADEMY PRIVATE SCHOOL Conyers | 4.8 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 30016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,276
Median Home Value
$218,700
Median Rent
$1,585/mo
Population
61,123
College Educated
21.1%
Homeownership
80.8%
Avg Commute
39.1 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
35.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Salem Elementary School has a median household income of $74,276. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $218,700, with a median rent of $1,585/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute in the area is 39 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 |
|---|---|
| East Lake Elementary Mcdonough, GA | 4.4 |
| Graves Elementary School Norcross, GA | 4.4 |
| Live Oak Elementary School Albany, GA | 4.4 |
| Meadowcreek Elementary School Norcross, GA | 4.4 |
| Sue Reynolds Elementary School Augusta, GA | 4.4 |
| William M. McGarrah Elementary School Morrow, GA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Salem Elementary School
What grades does South Salem Elementary School serve?
South Salem Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Salem Elementary School?
South Salem Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 848 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Salem Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Salem Elementary School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Salem Elementary School rank in GA?
South Salem Elementary School is ranked #2014 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is South Salem Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Salem Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 South Salem Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Salem Elementary School has 14.2% math proficiency and 19.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Salem Elementary School a charter school?
No, South Salem Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Salem Elementary School a Title I school?
No, South Salem Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Salem Elementary School?
96.7% of students at South Salem Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,479/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Covington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 848
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Newton County
- Phone
- (770) 787-1330
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newton County- District Enrollment
- 18,886
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,013
- District Rank
- #10 of 22
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 methodologyRelated reading
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