Salem City School District

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

Top Rankings

Salem City School District 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 2026-27 school year, there are 2 public high schools serving 1,617 students in Salem City School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public high schools in Virginia.
Public High Schools in Salem City School District have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the Virginia public high school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 91% (versus the 81% statewide average).
Public High School in Salem City School District have a Graduation Rate of 91%, which is more than the Virginia average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Salem High School, with 91% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Virginia or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Virginia public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (VA)
# Schools
8 Schools
357 Schools
# Students
3,984 Students
409,548 Students
# Teachers
363 Teachers
28,795 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Salem City School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 131 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%)

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

79%
68%

Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

(20-21)
74%
69%
(20-21)
65%
59%
91%
88.8%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

(2022-23)
16.4%
19.1%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.56
0.72

Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
3%
8%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

% Hispanic
12%
20%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓

% Black
16%
22%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

% White
63%
44%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,798 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,383. The school district revenue/student has declined by 9% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,195 is less than the state median of $18,168. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (VA)
Total Revenue
$59 MM
$23,109 MM

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Spending
$65 MM
$22,838 MM

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Revenue / Student
$14,798
$18,383

Showing 2012–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Spending / Student
$16,195
$18,168

Showing 2012–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Best Salem City School District Public High Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Salem High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
400 Spartan Dr
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 387-2437
Gr: 9-12 | 1,202 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
510 South College Ave
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 389-0130
Gr: K-12 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 46%

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • District size: 8 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 3,984 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
  • 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

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