Very Good
#523 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 20% in state
Salem Elementary
Elementary School · Burke County Schools
1329 Salem Road, Morganton, NC 28655
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#523 of 2,648
In Morganton
#4 of 18
public schools
In district
#4 of 26
Burke County Schools
Equity
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Salem Elementary
Elementary School in Morganton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Burke Middle College
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Robert L. Patton High School
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Salem Elementary
Salem Elementary is a public elementary school in Morganton, NC, part of Burke County Schools. Salem Elementary serves approximately 436 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Salem Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #523 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Salem Elementary show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- District avg 6.4
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Salem Elementary — Students at Salem Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 36 test records from NC 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: 7.6/10.
How Salem Elementary Compares
See how Salem Elementary 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
1329 Salem Road, Morganton, NC 28655
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Salem Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mountain View Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 4.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Drexel Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 8.2 |
| Robert L. Patton High School Morganton | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Liberty Middle Morganton | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| North Liberty Morganton | 2.0 mi | 2.9 |
| NC School for the Deaf Morganton | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Forest Hill Elementary Morganton | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Mull Elementary Morganton | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Freedom High Morganton | 3.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Mountain View Elementary Morganton | 4.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Morganton | 4.4 mi | 4.4 |
| W A Young Elementary Morganton | 4.0 mi | 6.6 |
| New Dimensions Morganton | 5.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton | 4.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton | 6.0 mi | 4.6 |
| THE LEARNING CENTER Morganton | 5.1 mi | — |
| SILVERCREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Morganton | 5.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Table Rock Middle Morganton | 5.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Morganton | 6.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 6.4 mi | 8.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A.C.E. Academy Harrisburg, NC | 7.8 |
| Brush Creek Elementary Marshall, NC | 7.8 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC | 7.8 |
| Dobson Elementary Dobson, NC | 7.8 |
| Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington, NC | 7.8 |
| Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School Forest City, NC | 7.8 |
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 ranks #523 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Salem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Salem Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Salem Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Salem Elementary has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.0%
- Phone
- (828) 437-5901
Resources & Links
District
Burke County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,690
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,261
- District Rank
- #4 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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