- Enrollment
- 2,499
- Students per teacher
- 22.1:1
- Resource Index
- 29/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Covington, GA
South Salem Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for South Salem Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 35/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 130393003770
👥 S:T ratio 41
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 14
📋 Attendance 14
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Salem Elementary School earns 35/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Georgia median.
- #7 of 12
- schools in Covington · Resource Index
- 35
- Resource Index · Typical
- 14.7:1
- students per teacher
- 85.0%
- free-lunch eligible
South Salem Elementary School has class sizes near the Georgia median. Computed live against every Georgia school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Salem Elementary School ranks #7 of 12 schools in Covington, GA.
School address
District: Newton County · Georgia
NCES ID 130393003770 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-4 students YoY
South Salem Elementary School held near 848 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-4 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 58.1 → 55.1 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-4 students YoY 130393003770 · Covington, GA Other · MID · TRAD
855 enr · 14.7:1 · 85.0% lunch · RII 35
Nearest enrollment peer: Newton High School (2,499 students)
South Salem Elementary School held near 848 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-4 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 58.1 → 55.1 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Georgia schools → · Find another →
South Salem Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Newton High Sc
Newton High School
2,499 students
- Alcovy High Sc
Alcovy High School
1,968 students
- Eastside High
Eastside High School
1,590 students
- Newton County
Newton County Theme School at Ficquett
1,095 students
- Live Oak Eleme 936
Live Oak Elementary
936 students
- This school 855
South Salem Elementary School
855 students
What this shows South Salem Elementary School reports 855 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Salem Elementary School compares
South Salem Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Georgia and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Georgia | Georgia avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 14.7:1 | ▲ 2% | 14.4:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 85.0% | ▲ 40% | 60.7% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 855 | top 28% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
14.7:1
Leaner classes than 50% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
855
Bigger than 87% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
85.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 40% above the Georgia average of 60.7%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
14.7:1
students per teacher
- 2% above state mean
Top 60% in Georgia - lower ratio than 40% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
34.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$14,013
per pupil, district-wide
- below Georgia avg of $14,615
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.0 FTE
Per 428 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
2
in-school suspensions + 66 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.2 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 8.0 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 1 expulsion.
Student demographics
African American 66.8%
White 13.3%
Hispanic or Latino 13.0%
Two or More 5.7%
Asian 0.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%
Largest group: African American at 66.8% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 51.6/100
Simpson diversity index - at 51.6, South Salem Elementary School is about as mixed as the Georgia school average of 50.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Newton County reports $14,013 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Salem Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Alcovy High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Eastside High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Newton County Theme School at Ficquett | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Live Oak Elementary | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Salem Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,968
- Students per teacher
- 20.7:1
- Resource Index
- 26/100
- Enrollment
- 1,590
- Students per teacher
- 19.2:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
- Enrollment
- 1,095
- Students per teacher
- 20.7:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 936
- Students per teacher
- 20.3:1
- Resource Index
- 29/100
Similar other schools in Covington
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Live Oak Elementary
Standard public school
936 students 20.3:1 students per teacher
Walnut Grove Elementary School
Standard public school
721 students 16:1 students per teacher
West Newton Elementary School
Standard public school
698 students 16.6:1 students per teacher
Oak Hill Elementary School
Standard public school
663 students 15.4:1 students per teacher
Middle Ridge Elementary School
Standard public school
594 students 14.1:1 students per teacher
Fairview Elementary
Standard public school
591 students 16:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~855 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Salem Elementary School
How many students attend South Salem Elementary School?
South Salem Elementary School has 855 students enrolled. It is a public school in Covington, GA. CCD year-over-year: 852 (2022-23) → 848 (2023-24), nearly flat (-4).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Salem Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Salem Elementary School is 14.7:1, which is 2% higher than the Georgia average of 14.4:1 and 6% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Salem Elementary School?
85.0% of students at South Salem Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Georgia average of 60.7%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Salem Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at South Salem Elementary School is African American at 66.8% of enrollment, in Covington, GA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 51.6/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Salem Elementary School?
South Salem Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 35/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Salem Elementary School rank among schools in Covington?
By Resource Investment Index, South Salem Elementary School ranks #7 of 12 schools in Covington, GA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Covington on the city page.
What other schools are in Newton County?
Besides South Salem Elementary School, Newton County also operates Newton High School (2,499 students), Alcovy High School (1,968 students), and Eastside High School (1,590 students). See the Newton County district page for the complete list.