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Very Good

#628 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 24% 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

7.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#628 of 2,648

In Apex

#10 of 21

public schools

In district

#76 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Salem Middle

7.7/10

Middle School in Apex · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Salem Elementary

7.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Peace Montessori School

Nearby

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Salem Middle

Salem Middle is a public middle school in Apex, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Salem Middle serves approximately 1,042 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Salem Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #628 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Salem Middle show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.6
  • NC avg 5.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.3 pts
Overall Proficiency77% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)71% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment6.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism13.3%

Salem Middle — Students at Salem Middle score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 73.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
96%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
69%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
66%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
69%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2018
Math
61%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
61%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
65%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
74.7%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
80.7%
ELA
73.6%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Salem Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
76th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.7/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Cary), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Apex Middle (rated 6.8/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lufkin Road Middle (rated 6.2/10, 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 7.0
PEACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Apex 0.9 mi
Apex High Apex 1.1 mi 7.4
THALES ACADEMY APEX K-5 Apex 1.3 mi 5.3
Davis Drive Middle Cary 1.4 mi 8.7
Peak Charter Academy Apex 1.3 mi 7.9
Laurel Park Elementary Apex 1.2 mi 7.7
Baucom Elementary Apex 1.5 mi 8.8
Davis Drive Elementary Cary 1.5 mi 8.9
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 6.9
MONTESSORI CREATIVE LEARNING SCHOOL Apex 2.1 mi
ST ANDREWS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Apex 1.9 mi
Apex Middle Apex 2.2 mi 6.8
Apex Elementary Apex 2.6 mi 7.5
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cary 2.5 mi 6.2
Lufkin Road Middle Apex 2.8 mi 6.2
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bailey Middle Cornelius, NC 7.7
Broad Creek Middle Newport, NC 7.7
Leesville Road Middle Raleigh, NC 7.7
Ligon Middle Raleigh, NC 7.7
Oak Grove Middle Winston-Salem, NC 7.7
Pine Hollow Middle Raleigh, NC 7.7

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 ranks #628 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Salem Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Salem Middle has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.3%

District

Wake County Schools
District Enrollment
161,481
Schools in District
197
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,691
District Rank
#76 of 194

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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