Very Good
#987 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 37% in state
Salem Middle
Middle School · Wake County Schools
6150 Old Jenks Road, Apex, NC 27523
Enrollment
1,042
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,042
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Apex
#12 of 21
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#110 of 475
In district
#86 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Salem Middle
Salem Middle serves 1,042 students in grades 6 through 8 in Apex, North Carolina, within Wake County. Located on Old Jenks Road, this regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1 with 60 full-time equivalent teachers, creating manageable classroom environments for middle school learners. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 78th percentile statewide at #600 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools.
Students excel particularly in mathematics, with 81% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 74% reach proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. These solid achievement levels reflect the school's commitment to middle school academic development. Salem Middle sits within the affluent 27523 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $122,158 and 68% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood's median home value of $496,500 and low 6.8% poverty rate indicate a stable, well-resourced community environment that supports educational success. The school operates in a large suburban setting that combines residential tranquility with access to the greater Triangle area's educational and cultural resources, providing students with both community connection and broader opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Salem Middle — Students at Salem Middle score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.9%
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: 7.5/10.
How Salem Middle Compares
See how Salem Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 61% (2019) to 80.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 73.5% (2025).
Location
6150 Old Jenks Road, Apex, NC 27523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Salem Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Davis Drive Middle (rated 6.6/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Cary), with a comparable rating. Another option is Apex Middle (rated 6.2/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lufkin Road Middle (rated 5.5/10, 2.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Apex, see our Apex schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Salem Elementary Apex | 0.2 mi | 8.7 |
| PEACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Apex | 0.9 mi | — |
| Apex High Apex | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| THALES ACADEMY APEX K-5 Apex | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Davis Drive Middle Cary | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Peak Charter Academy Apex | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Laurel Park Elementary Apex | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Baucom Elementary Apex | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Davis Drive Elementary Cary | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| GROVE SCHOOL OF CARY Cary | 1.5 mi | — |
| CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY-PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY Cary | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS SCHOOL Cary | 2.0 mi | — |
| Turner Creek Elementary Cary | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| MONTESSORI CREATIVE LEARNING SCHOOL Apex | 2.1 mi | — |
| ST ANDREWS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Apex | 1.9 mi | — |
| Apex Middle Apex | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Apex Elementary Apex | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cary | 2.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Lufkin Road Middle Apex | 2.8 mi | 5.5 |
| ST MARY MAGDALENE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Apex | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Leesville Road Middle Raleigh, NC | 7.1 |
| West Pine Middle West End, NC | 7.1 |
| Whitewater Middle Charlotte, NC | 7.1 |
| Chestnut Grove Middle School King, NC | 7.0 |
| H J MacDonald Middle New Bern, NC | 7.0 |
| Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs, NC | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Salem Middle
What grades does Salem Middle serve?
Salem Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Salem Middle?
Salem Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,042 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Salem Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Salem Middle is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Salem Middle rank in NC?
Salem Middle is ranked #987 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Salem Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Salem Middle has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salem Middle has 74.8% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Salem Middle a charter school?
No, Salem Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Salem Middle a Title I school?
No, Salem Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salem Middle?
20.9% of students at Salem Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,042
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 363-1870
- 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
- #86 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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