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Average

#678 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 50% in state

Salem Avenue Elementary

Elementary School · Washington County Public Schools

1323 Salem Ave Ext, Hagerstown, MD 21740

Enrollment

705

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#678 of 1,363

In Hagerstown

#15 of 22

public schools

In district

#29 of 42

Washington County Public Schools

Equity

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Salem Avenue Elementary

6.4/10

Elementary School in Hagerstown · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Truth Christian Academy

6.4/10

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

Marshall Street School

2.5/10

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

About Salem Avenue Elementary

Salem Avenue Elementary is a public elementary school in Hagerstown, MD, part of Washington County Public Schools. Salem Avenue Elementary serves approximately 705 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Salem Avenue Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #678 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Salem Avenue Elementary show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at Salem Avenue Elementary 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 Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.2% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.3% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg0 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.8 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+22.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,937
Chronic Absenteeism37.7%

Salem Avenue Elementary — Students at Salem Avenue Elementary score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 48.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
26%
2015
Math
26%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
19%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
29%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
29%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
46%
2025
Math
30.2%
ELA
45.3%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Salem Avenue Elementary Compares

See how Salem Avenue Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in MD
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
5.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.7%

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

1323 Salem Ave Ext, Hagerstown, MD 21740

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salem Avenue Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fountaindale Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jonathan Hager Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Emma K. Doub Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hagerstown, see our Hagerstown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
TRUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hagerstown 0.5 mi 6.4
Marshall Street School Hagerstown 0.5 mi 2.5
Washington County Job Development Center Hagerstown 0.5 mi 7.5
Western Heights Middle Hagerstown 0.5 mi 6.9
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.1 mi 5.3
Jonathan Hager Elementary Hagerstown 1.1 mi 8.1
North Hagerstown High Hagerstown 1.2 mi 6.3
Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Hagerstown 1.3 mi 9.1
ST MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.4 mi 6.6
Fountaindale Elementary Hagerstown 1.3 mi 8.5
Northern Middle Hagerstown 1.4 mi 7.5
HAGERSTOWN CHILDRENS SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.6 mi
Bester Elementary Hagerstown 1.8 mi 4.8
GRACE ACADEMY Hagerstown 2.1 mi 7.1
Maugansville Elementary Maugansville 2.3 mi 6.3
South Hagerstown High Hagerstown 2.5 mi 4.7
Emma K. Doub Elementary Hagerstown 2.8 mi 7.9
Potomac Heights Elementary Hagerstown 2.2 mi 6.1
Pangborn Elementary Hagerstown 2.4 mi 4.9
E. Russell Hicks Middle Hagerstown 2.9 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21740 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,410

Median Home Value

$241,600

Median Rent

$1,031/mo

Population

63,140

College Educated

20.1%

Homeownership

55.2%

Avg Commute

28.1 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

38.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Burnt Mills Elementary Silver Spring, MD 6.4
CALVERT SCHOOL Baltimore, MD 6.4
Dr. James Craik Elementary School Pomfret, MD 6.4
Great Seneca Creek Elementary Germantown, MD 6.4
Greencastle Elementary Silver Spring, MD 6.4
Kennard Elementary School Centreville, MD 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salem Avenue Elementary

What grades does Salem Avenue Elementary serve?

Salem Avenue Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Salem Avenue Elementary?

Salem Avenue Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 705 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Salem Avenue Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Salem Avenue Elementary is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salem Avenue Elementary rank in MD?

Salem Avenue Elementary ranks #678 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Salem Avenue Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem Avenue Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Avenue Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Salem Avenue Elementary has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Salem Avenue Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Salem Avenue Elementary a Title I school?

No, Salem Avenue Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salem Avenue Elementary?

87.1% of students at Salem Avenue Elementary 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
36 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
16 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
705
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Washington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.7%

District

Washington County Public Schools
District Enrollment
22,549
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,937
District Rank
#29 of 42

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