Needs Improvement
#2226 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
2.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
848
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
2.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Georgia schools
#2,226 of 2,268
In Covington
#18 of 21
public schools
In district
#19 of 22
Newton County
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South Salem Elementary School
Elementary School in Covington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Liberty Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Livingston Elementary School
1.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Salem Elementary School
South Salem Elementary School is a public elementary school in Covington, GA, part of Newton County. South Salem Elementary School serves approximately 848 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. South Salem Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,226 of 2,268 schools in GA.
Structured state assessment records for South Salem Elementary School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.4
- GA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at South Salem Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 30 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: 1.9/10.
How South Salem Elementary School Compares
See how South Salem Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. GEORGIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Middle Ridge Elementary School (rated 4.2/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CONYERS ADVENTIST ACADEMY (rated 4.0/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Conyers), 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 | 2.8 |
| Livingston Elementary School Covington | 1.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Live Oak Elementary Covington | 2.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Veterans Memorial Middle School Covington | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Newton High School Covington | 2.4 mi | 4.2 |
| West Newton Elementary School Covington | 2.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Clements Middle School Covington | 3.1 mi | 2.5 |
| Porterdale Elementary School Covington | 2.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Fairview Elementary Covington | 3.2 mi | 3.7 |
| 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 | 3.6 |
| Middle Ridge Elementary School Covington | 3.6 mi | 4.2 |
| GEORGIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Covington | 3.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Memorial Middle School Conyers | 4.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Peek's Chapel Elementary Conyers | 4.4 mi | 3.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cotton Indian Elementary School Stockbridge, GA | 2.8 |
| Brewer Elementary School Columbus, GA | 2.7 |
| Huie Elementary School Forest Park, GA | 2.7 |
| Pointe South Elementary School Riverdale, GA | 2.7 |
| Tussahaw Elementary Mcdonough, GA | 2.7 |
| Chicopee Elementary School Gainesville, GA | 2.9 |
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 ranks #2,226 of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is South Salem Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Salem Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 South Salem Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Salem Elementary School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.3%
- Phone
- (770) 787-1330
Resources & Links
District
Newton County- District Enrollment
- 18,886
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,013
- District Rank
- #19 of 22
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