Excellent
#36 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 2% in state
Salem High
High School · Salem City Public Schools
400 Spartan Dr, Salem, VA 24153
Enrollment
1,213
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,213
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salem
#1 of 11
public schools
Virginia high schools
#13 of 323
In district
#1 of 6
Salem City Public Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Salem High
Salem High serves 1,213 students in grades 9–12 as a regular public school in Salem, Virginia. It ranks 36th out of 1,850 public schools statewide, outperforming 98% of Virginia schools — a standing that places it firmly in the state's top tier. Among Virginia high schools specifically, it sits 13th out of 323.
Within Salem, it holds the top rank among all 11 public schools in the city. The school earned a composite score of 9.0/10, rated Exceptional. Academic performance registers at 9.0/10.
The growth score of 9.2/10 adds another dimension: students are advancing faster than expected relative to comparable schools, a signal that holds independent of starting-point scores. That combination of high achievement and sustained upward momentum puts Salem High in rare company statewide. A student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 supports that performance.
With fewer than 12 students per teacher across a 1,213-student school, instructors can maintain real contact with each student throughout the four-year program — a structural advantage that shows up in both the academic and growth numbers.
What's said publicly about Salem High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (2)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Salem High — Students at Salem High score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from VA 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: 9.2/10.
How Salem High Compares
See how Salem High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 83% (2019) to 90% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 91% (2019) to 91% (2025).
Location
400 Spartan Dr, Salem, VA 24153
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Salem High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hidden Valley High (rated 7.4/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Roanoke), a more accessible option. Another option is Glenvar High (rated 6.8/10, 3.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Northside High (rated 6.7/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Roanoke), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Salem Elementary Salem | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| HOPETREE ACADEMY Salem | 1.0 mi | — |
| South Salem Elementary Salem | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| G.W. Carver Elementary Salem | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Andrew Lewis Middle Salem | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Fort Lewis Elementary Salem | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| SALEM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Salem | 2.4 mi | — |
| East Salem Elementary Salem | 3.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Glenvar Elementary Salem | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Glenvar Middle Salem | 3.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Glenvar High Salem | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Hidden Valley Middle Roanoke | 3.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Glen Cove Elementary Roanoke | 3.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Roanoke | 4.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Mason's Cove Elementary Salem | 4.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Westside Elementary Roanoke | 4.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Fairview Elementary Roanoke | 4.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Northside Middle Roanoke | 5.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Northside High Roanoke | 5.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Hidden Valley High Roanoke | 5.8 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24153 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,691
Median Home Value
$251,400
Median Rent
$1,058/mo
Population
38,249
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
71.7%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Salem High has a median household income of $72,691. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,400, with a median rent of $1,058/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Fauquier High Warrenton, VA | 8.9 |
| York High Yorktown, VA | 8.9 |
| Loudoun County High Leesburg, VA | 8.8 |
| Spotsylvania High Spotsylvania, VA | 8.8 |
| Hampton High Hampton, VA | 8.7 |
| Hanover High Mechanicsville, VA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Salem High
What grades does Salem High serve?
Salem High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Salem High?
Salem High has an enrollment of approximately 1,213 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Salem High?
The student-teacher ratio at Salem High is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Salem High rank in VA?
Salem High is ranked #36 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Salem High's MySchoolScout rating?
Salem High has a composite rating of 9.0 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salem High has 79.0% math proficiency and 91.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Salem High a charter school?
No, Salem High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Salem High a Title I school?
No, Salem High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salem High?
41.5% of students at Salem 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,213
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 103
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Salem city
- Phone
- (540) 387-2437
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Salem City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,318
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,892
- 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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