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Below Average

#1600 of 1,823 schools in IN

Salem Middle School

Middle School · Salem Community Schools

1001 N Harrison St, Salem, IN 47167

Enrollment

376

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

4.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,600 of 1,823

In Salem

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Salem Community Schools

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Salem Middle School

4.1/10

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

Bradie Shrum Elementary

7.6/10

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

Salem High School

6.5/10

0.2 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 Salem, IN, part of Salem Community Schools. Salem Middle School serves approximately 376 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Salem Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,600 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Salem Middle School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below IN schools
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • IN avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

Salem Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

30% 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 Progress3.1Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.24 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.3% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.6% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-15.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,700
Chronic Absenteeism30.3%

Salem Middle School — Students at Salem Middle School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
38.2% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 52.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.5% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
73%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
49%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
54%
2016
Math
50%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
13%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
15%
2025
Math
24%
ELA
30.6%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Salem Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
12th percentile in IN
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.3%

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

1001 N Harrison St, Salem, IN 47167

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salem Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Brownstown Central Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Brownstown), which scores notably higher. Another option is EAST SALEM PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 6.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Washington Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Pekin), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Bradie Shrum Elementary Salem 0.1 mi 7.6
Salem High School Salem 0.2 mi 6.5
EAST SALEM PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Salem 6.8 mi 5.4
West Washington Jr-Sr High School Campbellsburg 7.3 mi 6.6
West Washington Elementary School Campbellsburg 7.3 mi 8.8
Eastern High School Pekin 8.8 mi 5.7
East Washington Middle School Pekin 8.9 mi 4.9
East Washington Elementary School Pekin 9.0 mi 7.3
EAST SALEM 3RD SCHOOL Salem 8.4 mi
SOUTHERN HILLS MENNONITE SCHOOL Campbellsburg 10.2 mi 6.9
William W Borden High School Borden 13.2 mi 8.4
William W Borden Elementary School Borden 13.1 mi 9.4
PLEASANT VIEW SCHOOL Campbellsburg 11.9 mi
Medora Jr & Sr High School Medora 15.0 mi 7.1
Medora STEM Academy Medora 15.0 mi 5.7
Morgan Elementary School Palmyra 16.5 mi 7.0
Greenville Elementary School Greenville 17.6 mi 8.8
Brownstown Elementary School Brownstown 18.2 mi 5.2
Brownstown Central Middle School Brownstown 18.7 mi 5.8
LUTHERAN CENTRAL SCHOOL Brownstown 18.9 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 47167 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,697

Median Home Value

$161,500

Median Rent

$726/mo

Population

15,573

College Educated

13.6%

Homeownership

79.4%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Median Age

41

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Southwestern Middle School Lafayette, IN 4.1
Kekionga Middle School Fort Wayne, IN 4.0
Washington Junior High School Washington, IN 4.2
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy South Bend, IN 3.9
Lapel Middle School Lapel, IN 3.9
Southside Middle School Muncie, IN 3.8

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 376 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Salem Middle School is 13:1. 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 IN?

Salem Middle School ranks #1,600 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Salem Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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?

52.9% 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
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Washington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.3%

District

Salem Community Schools
District Enrollment
1,655
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,700
District Rank
#3 of 3

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