Very Good
#459 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 25% in state
South Salem Elementary
Elementary School · Salem City Public Schools
1600 Carolyn Rd, Salem, VA 24153
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salem
#7 of 11
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#255 of 1,147
In district
#4 of 6
Salem City Public Schools
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About South Salem Elementary
South Salem Elementary serves 389 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Salem, Virginia, maintaining a manageable student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 73rd percentile among Virginia elementary schools at #507 out of 1,856 schools statewide. Students at South Salem show strong achievement in core subjects, with 82% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and an impressive 84% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction across all grade levels. The school serves families in the 24153 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $73,136 and the poverty rate stands at a relatively low 9.5%. The community shows educational investment, with 31% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values of $232,500 indicating a stable residential area.
South Salem Elementary is situated in Salem's mid-size suburban setting, providing students with a community-oriented learning environment that balances small-town values with educational opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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South Salem Elementary — Students at South Salem Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 7.8/10.
How South Salem Elementary Compares
See how South Salem Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 91% (2019) to 86% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 81% (2019) to 83% (2025).
Location
1600 Carolyn Rd, Salem, VA 24153
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Salem Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Back Creek Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Roanoke), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Fort Lewis Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mason's Cove Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 6.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Salem High Salem | 1.2 mi | 9.0 |
| West Salem Elementary Salem | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| G.W. Carver Elementary Salem | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Fort Lewis Elementary Salem | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Andrew Lewis Middle Salem | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| HOPETREE ACADEMY Salem | 2.1 mi | — |
| SALEM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Salem | 2.7 mi | — |
| Glenvar Elementary Salem | 3.0 mi | 6.2 |
| East Salem Elementary Salem | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Glenvar High Salem | 3.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Glenvar Middle Salem | 3.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Hidden Valley Middle Roanoke | 3.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Roanoke | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Glen Cove Elementary Roanoke | 4.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Back Creek Elementary Roanoke | 5.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Hidden Valley High Roanoke | 4.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Fairview Elementary Roanoke | 4.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Mason's Cove Elementary Salem | 6.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Cave Spring Middle Roanoke | 5.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Westside Elementary Roanoke | 5.1 mi | 3.6 |
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 South Salem Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| A.S. Rhodes Elementary Front Royal, VA | 7.5 |
| A.W.E. Bassette Elementary Hampton, VA | 7.5 |
| Achilles Elementary Hayes, VA | 7.5 |
| Bethel Elementary Gloucester, VA | 7.5 |
| CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL Falls Church, VA | 7.5 |
| Cedar Point Elementary Bristow, VA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Salem Elementary
What grades does South Salem Elementary serve?
South Salem Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Salem Elementary?
South Salem Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 389 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Salem Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Salem Elementary is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Salem Elementary rank in VA?
South Salem Elementary is ranked #459 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is South Salem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Salem Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 South Salem Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Salem Elementary has 84.3% math proficiency and 81.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Salem Elementary a charter school?
No, South Salem Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Salem Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Salem Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Salem Elementary?
40.9% of students at South 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 389
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Salem city
- Phone
- (540) 387-2478
- 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
- #4 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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