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#1316 of 1,850 schools in VA

Salem Elementary

Elementary School · Virginia Beach City Public Schools

3961 Salem Lakes Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Enrollment

572

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Virginia Beach

#54 of 82

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#712 of 1,147

In district

#54 of 82

Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Salem Elementary

Salem Elementary is a public elementary school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. With an enrollment of 572 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The campus sits at 3961 Salem Lakes Blvd, making it easily accessible for families in the area.

Salem Elementary boasts strong academic performance, with 88% of its students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts and Reading, while 84% are proficient or above in math. These scores place the school at a respectable rank of #607 out of 1856 schools in Virginia, putting it in the 67th percentile across the state. Despite its solid academic standing, there is always room for improvement and growth.

Salem Elementary continues to focus on student development through its dedicated team of 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to ensure each child receives a well-rounded education. The school’s setting within Virginia Beach city offers students a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities right outside their classroom doors, making learning both engaging and enriching.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84%
Reading/ELA Proficiency88%
Math vs. State Avg+10.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency86%
Expected (poverty-adj.)82%
vs. Expected+3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,119

Salem Elementary — Students at Salem Elementary score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.5%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 87.7%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
94%
ELA
93%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
84%
ELA
87.8%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Salem Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
29th percentile in VA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

3961 Salem Lakes Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salem Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. New Castle Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glenwood Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rosemont Forest Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Virginia Beach, see our Virginia Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Rosemont Forest Elementary Virginia Beach 0.7 mi 6.2
New Castle Elementary Virginia Beach 0.8 mi 7.6
Landstown Elementary Virginia Beach 1.0 mi 3.4
Landstown Middle Virginia Beach 1.0 mi 6.1
Glenwood Elementary Virginia Beach 1.0 mi 6.4
Landstown High Virginia Beach 1.3 mi 7.0
Salem High Virginia Beach 1.4 mi 7.7
Parkway Elementary Virginia Beach 1.7 mi 4.5
Salem Middle Virginia Beach 1.6 mi 6.5
COURTHOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Virginia Beach 1.9 mi
White Oaks Elementary Virginia Beach 2.1 mi 5.6
Rosemont Elementary Virginia Beach 2.1 mi 4.6
Green Run Collegiate Virginia Beach 2.2 mi 8.8
Green Run High Virginia Beach 2.3 mi 6.9
TIDEWATER CLASSICAL ACADEMY Virginia Beach 2.2 mi 2.3
Indian Lakes Elementary Virginia Beach 2.2 mi 5.3
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Virginia Beach 2.6 mi 6.2
Green Run Elementary Virginia Beach 2.5 mi 4.4
Holland Elementary Virginia Beach 2.8 mi 4.4
Larkspur Middle Virginia Beach 3.1 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23456 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$128,403

Median Home Value

$455,500

Median Rent

$1,928/mo

Population

60,744

College Educated

45.7%

Homeownership

89.3%

Avg Commute

26.1 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Salem Elementary has a median household income of $128,403. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $455,500, with a median rent of $1,928/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Ball's Bluff Elementary Leesburg, VA 5.5
Beech Tree Elementary Falls Church, VA 5.5
Butts Road Primary Chesapeake, VA 5.5
C.M. Bradley Elementary Warrenton, VA 5.5
Central Elementary Palmyra, VA 5.5
Dumfries Elementary Dumfries, VA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salem Elementary

What grades does Salem Elementary serve?

Salem Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Salem Elementary?

Salem Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 572 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Salem Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Salem Elementary is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salem Elementary rank in VA?

Salem Elementary is ranked #1316 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Salem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem Elementary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salem Elementary has 84.5% math proficiency and 87.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Salem Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Salem Elementary a Title I school?

No, Salem Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

37.4% of students at Salem Elementary 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

City Safety
High (1,741/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
572
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Virginia Beach city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Virginia Beach City Public Schools
District Enrollment
64,986
Schools in District
88
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,888
District Rank
#54 of 82

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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