Salem City Public Schools

510 South College Ave
Salem, VA 24153-5054
(District boundaries shown in map)
9/
10
Top 20%

Top Rankings

Salem City Public Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Virginia for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public preschools serving 1,588 students in Salem City Public Schools. This district's average pre testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public pre schools in Virginia.
Public Preschools in Salem City Public Schools have an average math proficiency score of 80% (versus the Virginia public pre school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 66% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Virginia public preschool average of 56% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (VA)
# Schools
8 Schools
1,059 Schools
# Students
4,318 Students
522,218 Students
# Teachers
355 Teachers
37,218 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Salem City Public Schools, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 132 school districts in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 91% has decreased from 93% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (VA)
#19 out of 132 school districts
(Top 20%)
79%
68%
(20-21)
74%
69%
(20-21)
65%
59%
91%
89%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.56
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
3%
8%
% Hispanic
11%
20%
% Black
17%
20%
% White
63%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
8%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $11,594 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,502. The school district revenue/student has declined by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,572 is less than the state median of $15,257. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
This School District
This State (VA)
Total Revenue
$50 MM
$19,496 MM
Spending
$63 MM
$19,187 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,594
$15,502
Spending / Student
$14,572
$15,257

Best Salem City Public Schools Public Preschools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
South Salem Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1600 Carolyn Rd
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2478
Gr: PK-5 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
West Salem Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
520 N Bruffey St
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2503
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
East Salem Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1765 Boulevard
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 375-7001
Gr: PK-5 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #44.
G.w. Carver Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
6 Fourth St
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2492
Gr: PK-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%

Recent Articles

Helping Children Overcome First-Week School Anxiety
Helping Children Overcome First-Week School Anxiety
Learn practical strategies to help children overcome first-week school anxiety, with expert-backed tips for parents and educators.
Public School Immunization Requirements 2026–2027
Public School Immunization Requirements 2026–2027
Learn public school immunization and health requirements for 2026–2027, including vaccines, exemptions, and state policy updates.
Public Schools in a Minute: 2026 Snapshot Guide
Public Schools in a Minute: 2026 Snapshot Guide
A clear 2026 snapshot of public schools in the U.S., including enrollment, funding, trends, and what families should know.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 8 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 4,318 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 37%
  • : 91% (Top 30% in VA)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 79% (Top 20%)
  • : 74% (Top 20%)
  • : 65% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

Quick Links