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Below Average

#952 of 1,014 schools in UT

Salem Junior High

Middle School · Nebo District

598 NORTH MAIN, Salem, UT 84653

Enrollment

953

Student-Teacher

23.8:1

Score

4.0

Grades

7th – 9th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#7 of 7

public schools

Utah middle schools

#139 of 143

In district

#45 of 47

Nebo District

About Salem Junior High

Salem Junior High serves 953 students in grades 7-9 in Salem, Utah County, operating as a regular public middle school with 40 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 23.8:1. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks 762nd among Utah's 1,018 schools, placing it in the 25th percentile statewide, indicating significant room for academic growth. Despite these academic challenges, Salem Junior High sits in a well-established community where families demonstrate strong educational values.

The surrounding 84653 ZIP code shows a median household income of $103,211 and a median home value of $490,100, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 4.6%, suggesting families have the resources to support their children's educational journey. The school's substantial enrollment of nearly 1,000 students creates a dynamic learning environment where students can find diverse peer groups and potentially robust extracurricular opportunities.

With its focus on the crucial middle school years when students transition from elementary concepts to high school preparation, Salem Junior High works to develop students during this pivotal time. The school is situated in Salem's large suburban setting, providing students with a blend of small-town community feel within Utah County's growing region.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Salem Junior High is 23.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.1%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,868

Salem Junior High — Students at Salem Junior High score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.4%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 7 test records from UT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
40%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
26.2%
ELA
37.1%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Salem Junior High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
6th percentile in UT
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

598 NORTH MAIN, Salem, UT 84653

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salem Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Valley View Middle (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spanish Fork Jr High (rated 5.4/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Spanish Fork), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Diamond Fork Middle (rated 4.6/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Spanish Fork), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Nebo Advanced Learning Center Springville 0.2 mi
Nebo Online School Salem 0.2 mi
Salem Hills High Salem 0.5 mi 5.3
Salem School Salem 0.8 mi 4.8
Foothills School Salem 1.3 mi 6.8
Mt. Loafer School Salem 1.7 mi 4.8
Valley View Middle Salem 1.5 mi 7.1
American Leadership Academy Spanish Fork 2.3 mi 5.3
American Preparatory Academy - Salem Salem 2.2 mi 7.8
Riverview School Spanish Fork 2.7 mi 5.4
Landmark High Spanish Fork 2.7 mi 6.7
Spanish Fork High Spanish Fork 3.3 mi 3.3
Spanish Fork Jr High Spanish Fork 3.1 mi 5.4
Canyon School Spanish Fork 3.0 mi 7.8
Brockbank School Spanish Fork 3.7 mi 5.2
Park School Spanish Fork 3.6 mi 8.2
Larsen School Spanish Fork 3.6 mi 7.9
Barnett School Payson 3.1 mi 7.9
Diamond Fork Middle Spanish Fork 3.7 mi 4.6
East Meadows School Spanish Fork 3.5 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 84653 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,420

Median Home Value

$569,300

Median Rent

$1,581/mo

Population

11,531

College Educated

40.6%

Homeownership

93%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

5%

Median Age

29.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Salem Junior High has a median household income of $111,420. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $569,300, with a median rent of $1,581/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Legacy Jr High Layton, UT 4.0
Mapleton Junior High Mapleton, UT 4.0
Scott M Matheson Jr High Magna, UT 4.1
Bountiful Jr High Bountiful, UT 3.8
North Layton Jr High Layton, UT 4.2
Payson Jr High Payson, UT 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salem Junior High

What grades does Salem Junior High serve?

Salem Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 9th.

How many students attend Salem Junior High?

Salem Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 953 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Salem Junior High is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salem Junior High rank in UT?

Salem Junior High is ranked #952 out of 1,014 schools in UT.

What is Salem Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem Junior High has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Junior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salem Junior High has 32.4% math proficiency and 40.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Salem Junior High a charter school?

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

Is Salem Junior High a Title I school?

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

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

21.6% of students at Salem Junior High 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
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (312/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salem). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
953
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Utah County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Nebo District
District Enrollment
44,446
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,911
District Rank
#45 of 47

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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