Excellent
#164 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 6% in state
Salem Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
6116 Old Jenks Road, Apex, NC 27523
Enrollment
753
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
753
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Apex
#1 of 21
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#149 of 1,474
In district
#15 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Salem Elementary
Salem Elementary is a public elementary school in Apex, NC, part of the Wake County Schools. The school serves approximately 753 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 93.8th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 67% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 61% in reading/language arts, 8 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $122,401, where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What's said publicly about Salem Elementary
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Salem Elementary — Students at Salem Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.1%
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: 9.2/10.
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 47% (2019) to 74.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 64.5% (2025).
Location
6116 Old Jenks Road, Apex, NC 27523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Salem Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Laurel Park Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY-PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Cary), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Baucom Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Apex, see our Apex schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Salem Middle Apex | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Apex High Apex | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| THALES ACADEMY APEX K-5 Apex | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| PEACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Apex | 1.0 mi | — |
| Peak Charter Academy Apex | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Baucom Elementary Apex | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Davis Drive Middle Cary | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Laurel Park Elementary Apex | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Davis Drive Elementary Cary | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| GROVE SCHOOL OF CARY Cary | 1.6 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI CREATIVE LEARNING SCHOOL Apex | 2.0 mi | — |
| Turner Creek Elementary Cary | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY-PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY Cary | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Apex Middle Apex | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS SCHOOL Cary | 2.2 mi | — |
| ST ANDREWS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Apex | 1.9 mi | — |
| Apex Elementary Apex | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MARY MAGDALENE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Apex | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Lufkin Road Middle Apex | 2.8 mi | 5.5 |
| ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cary | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$122,401
Median Home Value
$585,900
Median Rent
$1,805/mo
Population
18,330
College Educated
68%
Homeownership
69.1%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
39.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Salem Elementary has a median household income of $122,401. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $585,900, with a median rent of $1,805/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain, NC | 8.7 |
| Bunn Elementary Bunn, NC | 8.7 |
| G W Carver Elementary Pinetops, NC | 8.7 |
| North Chatham Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 8.7 |
| North Ridge Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.7 |
| Pisgah Forest Elementary Brevard, NC | 8.7 |
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 753 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Salem Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Salem Elementary 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 Elementary rank in NC?
Salem Elementary is ranked #164 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Salem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Salem Elementary has a composite rating of 8.7 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 67.1% math proficiency and 60.6% 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?
21.1% 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 753
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 363-2865
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #15 of 194
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
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