- Enrollment
- 1,202
- Students per teacher
- 11.9:1
- Resource Index
- 50/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Salem, VA
South Salem Elementary
Federal NCES profile for South Salem Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 57/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 510346002048
👥 S:T ratio 50
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 41
📋 Attendance 67
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Salem Elementary earns 57/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 73% of Virginia schools.
- #3 of 6
- schools in Salem · Resource Index
- 57
- Resource Index · Higher
- 12.4:1
- small classes for Virginia
- 36.1%
- free-lunch eligible
South Salem Elementary has class sizes smaller than 73% of Virginia schools. Computed live against every Virginia school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Salem Elementary ranks #3 of 6 schools in Salem, VA.
School address
District: Salem City Public Schools · Virginia
NCES ID 510346002048 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+1 students YoY
South Salem Elementary held near 389 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+1 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 30.0 → 29.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+1 students YoY 510346002048 · Salem, VA Other · SMALL · TRAD
371 enr · 12.4:1 · 36.1% lunch · RII 57
Nearest enrollment peer: Salem High (1,202 students)
South Salem Elementary held near 389 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+1 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 30.0 → 29.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Virginia schools → · Find another →
South Salem Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Salem High
Salem High
1,202 students
- Andrew Lewis M
Andrew Lewis Middle
839 students
- G.W. Carver El 404
G.W. Carver Elementary
404 students
- East Salem Ele 378
East Salem Elementary
378 students
- West Salem Ele 375
West Salem Elementary
375 students
- This school 371
South Salem Elementary
371 students
What this shows South Salem Elementary reports 371 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Salem Elementary compares
South Salem Elementary held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Virginia and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Virginia | Virginia avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 12.4:1 | ▼ 11% | 13.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 36.1% | ▼ 37% | 57.6% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 371 | top 78% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
12.4:1
Leaner classes than 72% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
371
Bigger than 43% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
36.1%
free-lunch eligible
- 37% below the Virginia average of 57.6%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
12.4:1
students per teacher
- 11% below state mean
Top 27% in Virginia - lower ratio than 73% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
13.2%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
Funding equity
$14,892
per pupil, district-wide
- below Virginia avg of $15,892
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.3 FTE
Per 297 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
13
in-school suspensions + 8 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 3.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 5.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 76.0%
Hispanic or Latino 9.7%
African American 8.1%
Two or More 4.0%
Asian 2.2%
Largest group: White at 76.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 40.4/100
Simpson diversity index - at 40.4, South Salem Elementary is less mixed than the Virginia school average of 53.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Salem City Public Schools reports $14,892 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Salem Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Andrew Lewis Middle | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| G.W. Carver Elementary | Similar size | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| East Salem Elementary | Similar size | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| West Salem Elementary | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Salem Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 839
- Students per teacher
- 13.5:1
- Resource Index
- 55/100
- Enrollment
- 404
- Students per teacher
- 12.6:1
- Resource Index
- 50/100
- Enrollment
- 378
- Students per teacher
- 12.6:1
- Resource Index
- 53/100
- Enrollment
- 375
- Students per teacher
- 13.9:1
- Resource Index
- 55/100
Similar other schools in Salem
5 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
G.W. Carver Elementary
Standard public school
404 students 12.6:1 students per teacher
East Salem Elementary
Standard public school
378 students 12.6:1 students per teacher
Glenvar Elementary
Standard public school
372 students 14.9:1 students per teacher
Fort Lewis Elementary
Standard public school
250 students 14.7:1 students per teacher
Mason's Cove Elementary
Standard public school
204 students 10.7:1 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 (~371 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Salem Elementary
How many students attend South Salem Elementary?
South Salem Elementary has 371 students enrolled. It is a public school in Salem, VA. CCD year-over-year: 388 (2022-23) → 389 (2023-24), nearly flat (+1).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Salem Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Salem Elementary is 12.4:1, which is 11% lower than the Virginia average of 13.9:1 and 21% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Salem Elementary?
36.1% of students at South Salem Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Virginia average of 57.6%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Salem Elementary?
The largest demographic group at South Salem Elementary is White at 76.0% of enrollment, in Salem, VA.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Salem Elementary?
South Salem Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 57/100 (higher 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 rank among schools in Salem?
By Resource Investment Index, South Salem Elementary ranks #3 of 6 schools in Salem, VA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Salem on the city page.
What other schools are in Salem City Public Schools?
Besides South Salem Elementary, Salem City Public Schools also operates Salem High (1,202 students), Andrew Lewis Middle (839 students), and G.W. Carver Elementary (404 students). See the Salem City Public Schools district page for the complete list.