Very Good
#663 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 36% in state
West Salem Elementary
Elementary School · Salem City Public Schools · Salem, VA
A Salem City Public Schools elementary school serving grades Pre-K – 5th.
520 N Bruffey St, Salem, VA 24153
- Math 82% vs VA 74% (2025)
- Reading 81% vs VA 72% (2025)
- 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at West Salem Elementary score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).
2025 SOL proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. VA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 7 points across the 17-year record (2009–2025) and has held near 82% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 81% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 84% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
40.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where West Salem Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 42Car-Dependent
- Bike 45Somewhat Bikeable
Powered by
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$72,691
Median home value
$251,400
Median rent
$1,058/mo
College educated
30%
Homeownership
71.7%
Poverty rate
10.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 24153; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.w. Carver ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 6.7 | PK–5 | 1.3 mi | 426 | Compare → |
| South Salem ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 7.7 | PK–5 | 1.4 mi | 389 | Compare → |
| Salem Montessori SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K | 2.2 mi | 12 | Compare → |
| Fort Lewis ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 7.7 | PK–5 | 2.3 mi | 247 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Salem City Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 8
- Rank in district
- #3 of 6
- District spending per student
- $14,892NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 11.7%Census SAIPE · 2024
West Salem Elementary is listed in Salem City Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About West Salem Elementary
West Salem Elementary is a public elementary school in Salem, VA, part of Salem City Public Schools, serving approximately 407 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #663 of 1,851 schools in VA. State assessment records show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #663 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is West Salem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Salem Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 West Salem Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West Salem Elementary has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 407
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Salem city
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.1%
- Phone
- (540) 387-2503
- Area population (ZIP 24153)
- 38,249
- Area average commute
- 20.1 min
- Area median age
- 42.5
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 SOL · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 SOL. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 SOL · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 SOL. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 24153; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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