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Salem city

Virginia · Public K-12

Across Salem city, 10 public K-12 schools educate around 3,984 students, roughly 1 in 6 residents. The level mix runs 7 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high.

7-year change in Salem city

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
3,984
+31 (+1%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
7
+1 (+17%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
64%
was 75%
% Hispanic
12%
was 5%
% Black
16%
was 13%
% Asian
3%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
10
2 districts
Enrollment
3,984
NCES CCD
Median income
$66,725
Below Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
51.4%
Below Virginia avg
Elementary
7
1,528 students
Middle
1
839 students
High
1
1,202 students
Combined / other
1
415 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Salem City Public Schools
3,984 students · 2 districts in Salem city

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Salem city residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
83%
Hispanic
5%
Black
9%
Asian
2%
Two or more
5%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
63%
Hispanic
11%
Black
16%
Asian
3%
Two or more
6%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
33.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.6%
civilian labor
Median age
40
19.5% under 18

Test scores in Salem city

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Virginia state average: 74.2%.

See all 7 schools in Salem city ranked by score →

All schools (10)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Salem HighSalemHigh09-121,202·
Andrew Lewis MiddleSalemMiddle06-08839·
Virginia Virtual Academy at SalemSalemCombinedKG-12415·
G.W. Carver ElementarySalemElementaryPK-05404·
East Salem ElementarySalemElementaryPK-05378·
West Salem ElementarySalemElementaryPK-05375·
South Salem ElementarySalemElementaryPK-05371·
Burton Center for Arts and TechnologySalemElementaryN-N··
Governor's STEM Academy at the Burton Center for Arts and TeSalemElementaryN-N··
Salem AlternativeSalemElementaryN-N··

Cities in Salem city

Salem10 schools

About Salem city

Across the sparse Virginia county of Salem city of about 25,618 residents, the public-school footprint covers 10 schools and about 3,984 students.

Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $66,725, roughly 33% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 7%. That income level is 13% noticeably below the Virginia median.

On the school-mix side, Salem city is built around 7 elementary schools (1,528 students), 1 middle school (839), 1 high school (1,202), and 1 combined or other schools.

Salem City Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,984 students on its own.

Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Salem city has held roughly steady since SY 2017-18, moving from about 3,953 students to 3,984. Salem city now counts 7 public schools, up from 6 in SY 2017-18. The White share of public-school enrollment shrank from 75% to 64%.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Salem city discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Salem city?
There are 10 public K-12 schools in Salem city, Virginia, with a combined enrollment of about 3,984.
How many high schools are in Salem city?
Salem city, Virginia has 1 public high school, serving approximately 1,202 students.
How many middle schools are in Salem city?
Salem city, Virginia has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 839 students.
How many elementary schools are in Salem city?
Salem city, Virginia has 7 public elementary schools, serving approximately 1,528 students.
What is the largest school district in Salem city?
Salem City Public Schools is the largest school district in Salem city, serving approximately 3,984 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
What is the population of Salem city?
Salem city, Virginia has a population of approximately 25,618, with a median age of 40. About 19.5% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Salem city?
Median household income in Salem city is $66,725, below the Virginia average of $76,527. About 6.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Salem city?
Approximately 33.0% of adults 25 and older in Salem city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Salem city qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 51.4% of students in Salem city public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the Virginia county average of 75.7%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Salem city schools?
Across Salem city public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 11.9 to 1.

Salem city school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data