Excellent
#169 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 6% in state
North Salem EL Sch
Elementary School · Dover Area SD
5161 N Salem Church Rd, Dover, PA 17315
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dover
#1 of 6
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#140 of 1,625
In district
#1 of 6
Dover Area SD
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About North Salem EL Sch
North Salem EL Sch is a public elementary school in Dover, PA, part of the Dover Area SD. The school serves approximately 370 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 94.1th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 64% proficiency in math, 18 points above the state average and 65% in reading/language arts, 11 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $81,058, where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Salem EL Sch may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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North Salem EL Sch — Students at North Salem EL Sch score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How North Salem EL Sch Compares
See how North Salem EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 69.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 64.8% (2024).
Location
5161 N Salem Church Rd, Dover, PA 17315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Salem EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Weigelstown El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Dover Area El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lincolnway El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby York), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dover, see our Dover schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dover Area HS Dover | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Dover Area MS Dover | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dover | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Dover Area El Sch Dover | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Weigelstown El Sch Dover | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Leib El Sch Dover | 2.4 mi | 8.2 |
| ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Thomasville | 4.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Trimmer El Sch York | 3.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Wallace El Sch York | 4.1 mi | 5.8 |
| YORK ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL York | 4.3 mi | — |
| Wellsville Campus Wellsville | 5.4 mi | 6.8 |
| CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF YORK York | 4.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Lincolnway El Sch York | 5.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Paradise El Sch Thomasville | 6.3 mi | 4.5 |
| West York Area HS York | 5.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Conewago El Sch York | 6.2 mi | 6.9 |
| West York Area MS York | 5.9 mi | 6.0 |
| BIBLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY York | 6.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Spring Grove El Sch Spring Grove | 7.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Roundtown El Sch York | 5.9 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,058
Median Home Value
$222,400
Median Rent
$1,189/mo
Population
26,434
College Educated
20.6%
Homeownership
89.4%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
46.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Salem EL Sch has a median household income of $81,058. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,400, with a median rent of $1,189/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Alburtis El Sch Alburtis, PA | 8.6 |
| Damascus Area Sch Damascus, PA | 8.6 |
| Durham-Nockamixon El Sch Kintnersville, PA | 8.6 |
| Fort Allen El Sch Greensburg, PA | 8.6 |
| Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey, PA | 8.6 |
| Hickory Grove El Sch Brookville, PA | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Salem EL Sch
What grades does North Salem EL Sch serve?
North Salem EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend North Salem EL Sch?
North Salem EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 370 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Salem EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at North Salem EL Sch is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Salem EL Sch rank in PA?
North Salem EL Sch is ranked #169 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is North Salem EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
North Salem EL Sch has a composite rating of 8.6 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 North Salem EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Salem EL Sch has 63.9% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Salem EL Sch a charter school?
No, North Salem EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Salem EL Sch a Title I school?
No, North Salem EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Salem EL Sch?
98.1% of students at North Salem EL Sch qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 370
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- York County
- Phone
- (717) 292-8071
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dover Area SD- District Enrollment
- 3,251
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,218
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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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