Average
#1126 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 43% in state
Salem Elementary
Elementary School · Burke County Schools
1329 Salem Road, Morganton, NC 28655
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Morganton
#7 of 18
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#873 of 1,474
In district
#12 of 26
Burke County Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Salem Elementary
Salem Elementary serves 436 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Morganton, North Carolina, operating with a comfortable student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 across 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 74th percentile among North Carolina elementary schools at #693 out of 2,661 statewide. Students show particularly strong performance in mathematics, with 73% achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels, while 54% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading.
This academic strength has helped establish Salem Elementary as a reliable choice for families in Burke County seeking quality elementary education for their children. The school draws families from a diverse economic community where the median household income is $51,689 and median home values average $156,900. About 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a mix of educational backgrounds that contributes to the school's varied student population.
Salem Elementary sits along Salem Road in Morganton's mid-size suburban setting, serving a ZIP code area home to over 56,000 residents who value the blend of small-town accessibility with educational opportunity that characterizes this Burke County community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Salem Elementary — Students at Salem Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Salem Elementary Compares
See how Salem Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 73.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 53.7% (2025).
Location
1329 Salem Road, Morganton, NC 28655
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Salem Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mull Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Glen Alpine Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Morganton, see our Morganton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Burke Middle College Morganton | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Robert L. Patton High School Morganton | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Liberty Middle Morganton | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| North Liberty Morganton | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| NC School for the Deaf Morganton | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Forest Hill Elementary Morganton | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Mull Elementary Morganton | 2.4 mi | 8.5 |
| MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Freedom High Morganton | 3.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Mountain View Elementary Morganton | 4.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Morganton | 4.4 mi | 7.4 |
| W A Young Elementary Morganton | 4.0 mi | 8.0 |
| New Dimensions Morganton | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton | 4.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton | 6.0 mi | 5.4 |
| THE LEARNING CENTER Morganton | 5.1 mi | — |
| SILVERCREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Morganton | 5.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Table Rock Middle Morganton | 5.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Morganton | 6.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 6.4 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28655 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,464
Median Home Value
$170,400
Median Rent
$827/mo
Population
56,201
College Educated
20.8%
Homeownership
72.7%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
21.2%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Salem Elementary has a median household income of $53,464. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $170,400, with a median rent of $827/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Archer Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.8 |
| Boone Trail Elementary Mamers, NC | 6.8 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway, NC | 6.8 |
| Chantilly Montessori Charlotte, NC | 6.8 |
| Davis-Townsend Elementary Lexington, NC | 6.8 |
| Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington, NC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Salem Elementary
What grades does Salem Elementary serve?
Salem Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Salem Elementary?
Salem Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 436 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Salem Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Salem Elementary is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Salem Elementary rank in NC?
Salem Elementary is ranked #1126 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Salem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Salem Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salem Elementary has 66.3% math proficiency and 54.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Salem Elementary a charter school?
No, Salem Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Salem Elementary a Title I school?
No, Salem Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salem Elementary?
99.3% of students at Salem 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (926/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 436
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Burke County
- Phone
- (828) 437-5901
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Burke County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,690
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,261
- District Rank
- #12 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.