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Below Average

#2021 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Salem Middle School

Middle School · Salem City School District

51 NEW MARKET STREET, Salem, NJ 08079

Enrollment

457

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

4.8

Grades

3rd – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#6 of 6

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#377 of 441

In district

#3 of 3

Salem City School District

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Salem Middle School

Salem Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Salem, New Jersey. Situated at 51 New Market Street, the school serves students from third to eighth grade with an enrollment of 457 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1. The faculty includes 31 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting young learners during these crucial middle years.

Salem Middle School currently ranks #2374 out of 2475 schools in New Jersey, indicating there's room for improvement academically. On the MySchoolScout rating scale, the school scores a 2.6/10 overall and an academic score of 1.1/10, suggesting areas where additional focus might enhance student achievement. Test performance shows that 13% of students are proficient in ELA/reading and only 6% in math, with no students reaching proficiency in science.

Despite these challenges, the school community is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment tailored to its diverse group of young scholars. Salem Middle School is situated on the edge of an urban area within a town setting, providing a blend of suburban charm and access to city resources. Salem Middle School stands as part of a close-knit neighborhood in Salem County, offering students opportunities for growth and development beyond academic metrics.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Salem Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.0Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Math vs. State Avg-38.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.9 pts
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected-7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment3.6Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,132

Salem Middle School — Students at Salem Middle School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 6.4%
School
State
38.5%
ELA Proficiency 12.7%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 20 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
21%
2022
Math
3%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
7.7%
ELA
11.1%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Salem Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in NJ
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

51 NEW MARKET STREET, Salem, NJ 08079

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salem Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mannington Township Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARVEST CHRISTAIN ACADEMY, WILMINGTON (rated 9.1/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby New Castle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, STRANG SCHOOL/RANCH HOPE (rated 7.9/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Alloway), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.7 mi
School Distance Rating
John Fenwick Academy Salem 0.2 mi 5.4
Salem High School Salem 0.8 mi 7.1
Elsinboro Township School Salem 3.0 mi 5.6
Mannington Township Elementary School Salem 3.3 mi 9.2
Quinton Township School Quinton 3.6 mi 4.7
Valley Park Elementary School Pennsville 4.8 mi 5.2
Pennsville Middle School Pennsville 6.0 mi 4.1
Penn Beach Elementary Pennsville 5.9 mi 4.7
Pennsville Memorial High School Pennsville 6.1 mi 4.0
Central Park Elementary School Pennsville 6.6 mi 5.5
Alloway Township School Alloway 5.6 mi 5.4
STRANG SCHOOL/RANCH HOPE Alloway 5.8 mi 7.9
Salem County Career and Technical High School Woodstown 6.8 mi 5.1
Salem Campus Woodstown 6.7 mi 7.6
Lower Alloways Creek Elementary School Salem 7.9 mi 6.7
Charter School of New Castle New Castle 8.5 mi 3.0
ST PETER CATHOLIC SCHOOL New Castle 8.2 mi 7.9
New Castle Elementary School New Castle 8.5 mi 4.2
HARVEST CHRISTAIN ACADEMY, WILMINGTON New Castle 8.7 mi 9.1
Downie (Carrie) Elementary School New Castle 8.7 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 Middle 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
Dover Middle School Dover, NJ 4.8
Ralph J. Steinhauer Elementary School Maple Shade, NJ 4.8
Upper Township Middle School Petersburg, NJ 4.8
Clayton Middle School Clayton, NJ 4.7
Samuel S. Yellin Elementary School Stratford, NJ 4.7
South River Middle School South River, NJ 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salem Middle School

What grades does Salem Middle School serve?

Salem Middle School serves students in grades 3rd through 8th.

How many students attend Salem Middle School?

Salem Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 457 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Salem Middle School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salem Middle School rank in NJ?

Salem Middle School is ranked #2021 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Salem Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem Middle School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salem Middle School has 6.4% math proficiency and 12.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Salem Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Salem Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

85.3% of students at Salem Middle 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 8th
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.3%
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
#3 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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