Average
#957 of 1,850 schools in VA
West Salem Elementary
Elementary School · Salem City Public Schools
520 N Bruffey St, Salem, VA 24153
Enrollment
407
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
407
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salem
#10 of 11
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#521 of 1,147
In district
#6 of 6
Salem City Public Schools
Academic growth
7.3 / 10
Strong
About West Salem Elementary
West Salem Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Salem, Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 407 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. With an academic score of 7.2 out of 10 and MySchoolScout ratings reflecting that there is room for improvement, West Salem Elementary focuses on fostering strong foundational skills in reading and math, where 80% and 81% of students, respectively, are proficient or above.
The school’s setting in a mid-size suburb offers a blend of community support and resources while providing a safe environment for young learners to grow and develop. With its dedicated staff and supportive neighborhood, West Salem Elementary continues to nurture the academic and personal growth of each student within its care.
Score Breakdown
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West Salem Elementary — Students at West Salem Elementary score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.3%
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: 7.3/10.
How West Salem Elementary Compares
See how West Salem Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 85% (2019) to 83% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 83% (2019) to 81% (2025).
Location
520 N Bruffey St, Salem, VA 24153
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Salem Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fort Lewis Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mason's Cove Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, G.W. Carver Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Salem High Salem | 0.2 mi | 9.0 |
| HOPETREE ACADEMY Salem | 0.8 mi | — |
| South Salem Elementary Salem | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| G.W. Carver Elementary Salem | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Andrew Lewis Middle Salem | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| SALEM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Salem | 2.2 mi | — |
| Fort Lewis Elementary Salem | 2.3 mi | 8.2 |
| East Salem Elementary Salem | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Glen Cove Elementary Roanoke | 3.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Hidden Valley Middle Roanoke | 3.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Glenvar Elementary Salem | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Roanoke | 4.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Glenvar Middle Salem | 3.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Glenvar High Salem | 3.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Mason's Cove Elementary Salem | 4.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Westside Elementary Roanoke | 4.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Fairview Elementary Roanoke | 4.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Northside Middle Roanoke | 4.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Northside High Roanoke | 4.7 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 West 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 |
|---|---|
| B.C. Charles Elementary Newport News, VA | 6.4 |
| Bucknell Elementary Alexandria, VA | 6.4 |
| Burlington Elementary Roanoke, VA | 6.4 |
| Columbia Elementary Annandale, VA | 6.4 |
| Freedom Hill Elementary Vienna, VA | 6.4 |
| Greenfield Elementary North Chesterfield, VA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Salem Elementary
What grades does West Salem Elementary serve?
West Salem Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend West Salem Elementary?
West Salem Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 407 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Salem Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at West Salem Elementary is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Salem Elementary rank in VA?
West Salem Elementary is ranked #957 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is West Salem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Salem Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 West Salem Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Salem Elementary has 81.0% math proficiency and 80.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Salem Elementary a charter school?
No, West Salem Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Salem Elementary a Title I school?
No, West Salem Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Salem Elementary?
40.3% of students at West 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 407
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Salem city
- Phone
- (540) 387-2503
- 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
- #6 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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