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Very Good

#843 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 34% in state

Salem High School

High School · Salem City School District

219 WALNUT ST, Salem, NJ 08079

Enrollment

387

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#2 of 6

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#149 of 422

In district

#1 of 3

Salem City School District

School environment

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Salem High School

Salem High School is a regular public high school located in SALEM, New Jersey, within Salem County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 387 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to help students thrive academically and socially.

Salem High School is staffed by 40 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' educational needs. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 reflects room for improvement in its academic performance, as indicated by its state ranking of #1719 out of 2475 schools in New Jersey (31st percentile). In terms of proficiency rates, only 33% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and just 12% meet the standards for math.

Salem High School is situated on Walnut Street in a town that sits on the fringe of an urban area. The school benefits from its close-knit community, offering students opportunities to engage with their local environment while preparing them for future academic or career paths.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Salem High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation31.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,132

Salem High School — Students at Salem High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 11.8%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
1.1%
ELA
26.1%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Salem High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
31.3% participation·40 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

219 WALNUT ST, Salem, NJ 08079

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salem High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. STRANG SCHOOL/RANCH HOPE (rated 7.9/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Alloway), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Salem County Career and Technical High School (rated 5.1/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Woodstown), a more accessible option. Additionally, Pennsville Memorial High School (rated 4.0/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Pennsville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.1 mi
School Distance Rating
John Fenwick Academy Salem 0.6 mi 5.4
Salem Middle School Salem 0.8 mi 4.8
Elsinboro Township School Salem 2.4 mi 5.6
Quinton Township School Quinton 3.6 mi 4.7
Mannington Township Elementary School Salem 4.0 mi 9.2
Valley Park Elementary School Pennsville 5.4 mi 5.2
Penn Beach Elementary Pennsville 6.4 mi 4.7
Pennsville Middle School Pennsville 6.6 mi 4.1
Pennsville Memorial High School Pennsville 6.7 mi 4.0
Central Park Elementary School Pennsville 7.2 mi 5.5
Alloway Township School Alloway 5.9 mi 5.4
STRANG SCHOOL/RANCH HOPE Alloway 6.1 mi 7.9
Lower Alloways Creek Elementary School Salem 7.4 mi 6.7
Salem County Career and Technical High School Woodstown 7.5 mi 5.1
Salem Campus Woodstown 7.5 mi 7.6
ST PETER CATHOLIC SCHOOL New Castle 8.6 mi 7.9
Charter School of New Castle New Castle 9.0 mi 3.0
New Castle Elementary School New Castle 8.9 mi 4.2
HARVEST CHRISTAIN ACADEMY, WILMINGTON New Castle 9.0 mi 9.1
Downie (Carrie) Elementary School New Castle 9.1 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,375

Median Home Value

$180,300

Median Rent

$1,057/mo

Population

10,696

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

58.3%

Avg Commute

28.1 min

Poverty Rate

19.1%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Salem High School has a median household income of $60,375. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,300, with a median rent of $1,057/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Ridgefield Memorial High School Ridgefield, NJ 7.1
BRURIAH HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Elizabeth, NJ 7.0
Cedar Grove High School Cedar Grove, NJ 7.0
Emerson Jr Sr High Emerson, NJ 7.0
American History High School Newark, NJ 7.2
EASTERN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL North Haledon, NJ 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salem High School

What grades does Salem High School serve?

Salem High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Salem High School?

Salem High School has an enrollment of approximately 387 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Salem High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Salem High School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salem High School rank in NJ?

Salem High School is ranked #843 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Salem High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem High School 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salem High School has 11.8% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Salem High School a charter school?

No, Salem High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Salem High School a Title I school?

No, Salem High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salem High School?

61.5% of students at Salem High School 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Salem County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Salem City School District
District Enrollment
1,277
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,299
District Rank
#1 of 3

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 methodology

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