Summary:
Salem, Alabama, is served by a single public elementary school, Wacoochee Elementary School, which educates students from Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade and is part of the Lee County school district.
For parents considering this area, Wacoochee Elementary School stands out as a high-performing institution. In the most recent school year, it ranked in the 80th percentile statewide, earning a 4-star rating and placing it in the top 20% of all elementary schools in Alabama. The school has shown consistent improvement, moving from the 73rd percentile in 2023-2024 to its current standing. With 574 students and a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, the school offers an environment conducive to individualized attention. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 8.6% is notably lower than both the district (12.4%) and state (12.0%) averages, suggesting strong student engagement and a positive school climate.
Academically, the school demonstrates exceptional strength in English Language Arts, with proficiency rates significantly exceeding district and state averages across all grades. For example, 5th-grade English proficiency reached 83.33% in 2025-2026, compared to the state average of 69.53%. The school also showed remarkable growth in 3rd-grade Mathematics, with proficiency jumping from 46.15% to 62.65% in just one year. While math remains a relative area for focus—5th-grade math proficiency was 47.62%—it still outperforms state averages. Despite over 40% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school achieves results well above expectations, making it a benchmark institution within the Lee County district. Per-student spending is $8,808, and the school's consistent outperformance of district averages makes it a clear asset for families in the Salem area.
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