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Excellent

#134 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 7% 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

8.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#134 of 1,851

In Salem

#1 of 11

public schools

In district

#1 of 6

Salem City Public Schools

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Salem High

8.7/10

High School in Salem · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Salem Elementary

7.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hopetree Academy

Nearby

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Salem High

Salem High is a public high school in Salem, VA, part of Salem City Public Schools. Salem High serves approximately 1,213 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Salem High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #134 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Salem High show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

What's said publicly about Salem High

Sources: School's website Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Salem High School is the sole public high school serving the City of Salem public school system in Virginia 2 . The Salem City School Division, which operates the school, states its mission is to provide a loving and engaging environment that inspires children to reach their full potential 3 . The division offers resources to support mental health and wellness 3 . Additionally, the school division received $37,000 for unique summer programs 3 . The division also administers the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI), a grant-funded preschool opportunity available to families living within Salem City limits who meet specific criteria 3 . VPI spaces are limited, with priority given to students who will be three by September 30th, while other slots are open to those who will be four by that date 3 . Applications for VPI are reviewed in mid-April, and interested parties can contact Dr. Megan Crew, Coordinator of State and Federal Programs, for questions 3 .
Sources (2)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
  2. salem.k12.va.us
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares1.8 pts above VA schools
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • VA avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency92% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency91% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+16.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency92% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)79% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate93%
AP Participation19.5%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,892
Chronic Absenteeism19.5%

Salem High — Students at Salem High score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 92.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.7% (2025 SOL)

Based on 27 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
94%
ELA
96%
2010
Math
94%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
93%
2014
Math
89%
ELA
91%
2015
Math
85%
ELA
93%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
90%
2017
ELA
91%
2018
Math
83%
ELA
91%
2019
Math
83%
ELA
91%
2020*
Math
64%
ELA
91%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
91%
2025
Math
92%
ELA
91%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Salem High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
93th percentile in VA
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.9
Sports
19
9 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
103 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered IB Programme
19.5% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·261 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
9 boys'·10 girls'·28 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.2/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Roanoke), with a comparable rating. Another option is Northside High (rated 7.6/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Roanoke), a more accessible option. Additionally, Glenvar High (rated 7.5/10, 3.5 miles away), 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 7.2
HOPETREE ACADEMY Salem 1.0 mi
South Salem Elementary Salem 1.2 mi 7.7
G.W. Carver Elementary Salem 1.4 mi 6.7
Andrew Lewis Middle Salem 1.6 mi 5.8
Fort Lewis Elementary Salem 2.1 mi 7.7
SALEM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Salem 2.4 mi
East Salem Elementary Salem 3.1 mi 5.7
Glenvar Elementary Salem 3.4 mi 5.7
Glenvar Middle Salem 3.4 mi 7.5
Glenvar High Salem 3.5 mi 7.5
Hidden Valley Middle Roanoke 3.9 mi 8.0
Glen Cove Elementary Roanoke 3.7 mi 7.6
Oak Grove Elementary Roanoke 4.2 mi 7.3
Mason's Cove Elementary Salem 4.9 mi 7.7
Westside Elementary Roanoke 4.6 mi 3.1
Fairview Elementary Roanoke 4.6 mi 4.4
Northside Middle Roanoke 5.0 mi 7.0
Northside High Roanoke 5.0 mi 7.6
Hidden Valley High Roanoke 5.8 mi 8.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hampton High Hampton, VA 8.7
Hanover High Mechanicsville, VA 8.7
Tabb High Yorktown, VA 8.7
Western Albemarle High Crozet, VA 8.7
Charlottesville High Charlottesville, VA 8.6
Fauquier High Warrenton, VA 8.6

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 ranks #134 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Salem High's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Salem High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Salem High has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.5%
4-Year Graduation
93.0%

District

Salem City Public Schools
District Enrollment
4,318
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,892
District Rank
#1 of 6

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