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Very Good

#735 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 33% in state

Salem Upper Elem.

Elementary School · SALEM R-80

1601 S DOSS RD, Salem, MO 65560

Enrollment

342

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

7.0

Grades

2nd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#5 of 8

public schools

Missouri elementary schools

#405 of 1,202

In district

#2 of 4

SALEM R-80

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Salem Upper Elem.

SALEM UPPER ELEM. is a regular public elementary school located in the remote town of Salem, Missouri. The school serves students from second through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 342 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, Salem Upper Elem. scores a 4.9 out of 10 overall and is ranked #1352 out of 2234 schools in Missouri, placing it in the 40th percentile. The academic score is 5.1 out of 10, indicating room for growth. In terms of proficiency levels, 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 34% are proficient or above in Math.

While test scores show areas for improvement, the school’s supportive environment encourages student development and learning. Salem Upper Elem. is situated in a close-knit community where neighbors often know each other well, creating a nurturing atmosphere for young learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+17.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.5Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,863

Salem Upper Elem. — Students at Salem Upper Elem. score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

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 MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
36%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
38%
ELA
40%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Salem Upper Elem. Compares

See how Salem Upper Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in MO
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

1601 S DOSS RD, Salem, MO 65560

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salem Upper Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GREEN FOREST ELEM. (rated 9.1/10, 8.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LUCY WORTHAM JAMES ELEM. (rated 8.7/10, 25.6 miles away, in nearby St. James), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORTH WOOD ELEM. (rated 8.3/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.1 mi
School Distance Rating
OZARK HILLS SCHOOL Salem 0.9 mi
WM. H. LYNCH ELEM. Salem 1.1 mi 4.2
SALEM MIDDLE SCHOOL Salem 1.6 mi 7.6
SALEM SR. HIGH Salem 1.7 mi 5.3
I CAN TOO LEARNING CENTER Salem 1.7 mi
NORTH WOOD ELEM. Salem 3.6 mi 8.3
OAK HILL ELEM. Salem 4.2 mi 6.8
GREEN FOREST ELEM. Salem 8.5 mi 9.1
DENT-PHELPS ELEM. Salem 9.3 mi 7.2
LICKING HIGH Licking 20.3 mi 6.5
LICKING ELEM. Licking 20.5 mi 6.6
BUNKER ELEM. Bunker 21.1 mi 3.3
BUNKER HIGH Bunker 21.1 mi 6.6
STEELVILLE HIGH Steelville 23.9 mi 6.5
GREAT CIRCLE OF ST. JAMES Saint James 25.3 mi 7.9
LUCY WORTHAM JAMES ELEM. St. James 25.6 mi 8.7
ROLLA SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Rolla 24.1 mi
ST. JAMES HIGH St. James 25.7 mi 6.9
STEELVILLE MIDDLE Steelville 25.0 mi 6.4
STEELVILLE ELEM. Steelville 25.1 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 65560 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,423

Median Home Value

$141,700

Median Rent

$625/mo

Population

13,634

College Educated

17.7%

Homeownership

75.4%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

42.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Salem Upper Elem. has a median household income of $53,423. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $141,700, with a median rent of $625/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BOWERMAN ELEM. Springfield, MO 7.0
CLINTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Clinton, MO 7.0
FREDERICKTOWN INTERMEDIATE Fredericktown, MO 7.0
IBERIA ELEM. Iberia, MO 7.0
IRVING ELEMENTARY Joplin, MO 7.0
JOHN RIDGEWAY ELEM. Columbia, MO 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salem Upper Elem.

What grades does Salem Upper Elem. serve?

Salem Upper Elem. serves students in grades 2nd through 5th.

How many students attend Salem Upper Elem.?

Salem Upper Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 342 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Salem Upper Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Salem Upper Elem. is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salem Upper Elem. rank in MO?

Salem Upper Elem. is ranked #735 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Salem Upper Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Salem Upper Elem. has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Salem Upper Elem.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salem Upper Elem. has 34.0% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Salem Upper Elem. a charter school?

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

Is Salem Upper Elem. a Title I school?

No, Salem Upper Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salem Upper Elem.?

100.0% of students at Salem Upper Elem. 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

City Safety
High (1,879/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salem). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
2nd – 5th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Dent County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SALEM R-80
District Enrollment
1,479
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,368
District Rank
#2 of 4

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 methodology

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