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Best Public Schools in Salem, VA

At a glance

Schools

5,863

Students

Districts

5-star school

Top rankedFort Lewis Elementary97^th of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools

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Biggest riser

G.W. Carver Elementary up 135 spots statewide this year

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Smallest classes

Virginia Virtual Academy at Salem 6.9 students per teacher

SchoolDigger ratings

5★

4★

3★

2★

1 school without a SchoolDigger rating (too few tested students)

Compare Virginia cities →See the top-ranked Virginia schools →

Summary:

Salem, Virginia, is served by 12 schools across Salem City Public Schools and Roanoke County Public Schools, including seven elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, and a virtual K-12 academy, together enrolling about 5,863 students in a district area that is academically solid but with meaningful variations in performance.

If you are looking at elementary schools, Fort Lewis Elementary is the clear standout — it ranks 97th in Virginia (91st percentile, 5 stars) and posts 3rd-grade math and reading proficiency above 94%, while serving the lowest poverty rate in the area (21.6% free/reduced lunch). G.W. Carver Elementary is equally impressive given that 88.4% of its students qualify for free/reduced lunch, yet it still ranks in the 83rd percentile. In contrast, East Salem Elementary has a nearly identical poverty rate but ranks in only the 49th percentile — a clear sign that school practices matter more than demographics. Among middle schools, Glenvar Middle (84th percentile) far outpaces Andrew Lewis Middle (59th percentile), especially in 8th-grade math (73.91 vs. 51.82). At the high school level, Salem High ranks slightly higher than Glenvar High (76th vs. 74th percentile), but Glenvar High posts far better retention outcomes: a 98.7% graduation rate and 1.2% dropout rate, versus Salem High's 93.4% and 4.3%.

The strongest regional patterns are advanced math excellence and a reading weakness. Both middle schools report 100% proficiency in 7th-grade Algebra I and 8th-grade Geometry, and both high schools hit 100% in 9th-grade Algebra II. However, reading is a concern at Glenvar Elementary (51.56 3rd-grade reading), East Salem Elementary (62.69 5th-grade reading), and Salem High (60.0 10th-grade reading). Spending does not predict success — Mason's Cove Elementary spends the most ($15,752 per student) yet ranks only in the 65th percentile, while Fort Lewis spends less and achieves more. Virginia Virtual Academy at Salem is the lowest-spending option ($5,540 per student) with the lowest chronic absenteeism (2.1%) and strong middle-school reading, though elementary math is weak. All 12 schools beat the state's 14.8% chronic absenteeism average, and the district's advanced math pipeline is a genuine strength — making reading the area's most urgent area for improvement.

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SOL Geometry (2026)				SOL Algebra I (2026)						SOL Algebra II (2026)			SOL Mathematics (2026)						SOL Chemistry (2026)			SOL Biology (2026)				SOL Science (2026)		SOL Earth Science (2026)					SOL English Reading (2026)										SOL Geography (2026)	SOL VA and US History (2026)			SOL World History I (2026)			SOL World History II (2026)		SOL Civics and Economics (2026)		SOL VA Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Geometry 8th Grade	SOL Geometry 9th Grade	SOL Geometry 10th Grade	SOL Geometry 12th Grade	SOL Algebra I 7th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 9th Grade	SOL Algebra I 10th Grade	SOL Algebra I 11th Grade	SOL Algebra I 12th Grade	SOL Algebra II 8th Grade	SOL Algebra II 9th Grade	SOL Algebra II 10th Grade	SOL Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Chemistry 10th Grade	SOL Chemistry 11th Grade	SOL Chemistry 12th Grade	SOL Biology 9th Grade	SOL Biology 10th Grade	SOL Biology 11th Grade	SOL Biology 12th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 9th Grade	SOL Earth Science 10th Grade	SOL Earth Science 11th Grade	SOL Earth Science 12th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 9th Grade	SOL English Reading 10th Grade	SOL English Reading 11th Grade	SOL English Reading 12th Grade	SOL Geography 8th Grade	SOL VA and US History 10th Grade	SOL VA and US History 11th Grade	SOL VA and US History 12th Grade	SOL World History I 8th Grade	SOL World History I 9th Grade	SOL World History I 10th Grade	SOL World History II 9th Grade	SOL World History II 10th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 7th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 8th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Glenvar Middle	Public	6-8	4555 Malus Dr	Salem	24153	Salem city	Roanoke County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 387-6322	433	36	11.9	38.1%	369 (85.2%)	19 (4.4%)	20 (4.6%)	10 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.5%)	76	65^th of 416 public middle schools	84.4%		74.8	88^th of 419 public middle schools	79.0%	23	100.0				100.0	97.8					≥ 50%						80.0	77.6	73.9									71.5									78.0	86.1	81.5									≥ 50%					≥ 50%	81.3		$12,626	$382	$12,245
Glenvar Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4507 Malus Dr	Salem	24153	Salem city	Roanoke County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 387-6540	372	26	14.5	42.7%	322 (86.6%)	13 (3.5%)	18 (4.8%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.0%)	62.6	446^th of 1111 public elementary schools	59.9%		64.4	431^st of 1110 public elementary schools	61.2%	15														71.9	77.4	86.4											81.4							51.6	87.0	79.7																			82.0	$11,049	$294	$10,755
Glenvar High	Public	9-12	4549 Malus Dr	Salem	24153	Salem city	Roanoke County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 387-6536	620	39	16.0	35.8%	538 (86.8%)	17 (2.7%)	27 (4.4%)	19 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	18 (2.9%)	70.3	85^th of 331 public high schools	74.3%		70.2	88^th of 328 public high schools	73.2%	3		87.8	395.0	< 50%			88.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%		100.0	≥ 50%										≥ 50%	80.5	≥ 50%					79.7	417.0										456.0	90.6	≥ 50%		< 50%	≥ 50%			85.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	408.0				$11,847	$181	$11,666
Mason's Cove Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3370 Bradshaw Rd	Salem	24153	Salem city	Roanoke County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 387-6530	204	22	9.4	69.6%	179 (87.7%)	6 (2.9%)	6 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (5.9%)	66.8	392^nd of 1111 public elementary schools	64.7%		75.5	280^th of 1110 public elementary schools	74.8%	112														90.3	78.8	80.0											68.6							74.2	84.9	77.1																			72.7	$16,792	$779	$16,013
Fort Lewis Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3115 West Main St	Salem	24153	Salem city	Roanoke County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 387-6594	250	18	14.2	21.6%	198 (79.2%)	5 (2.0%)	18 (7.2%)	10 (4.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (7.2%)	86.5	97^th of 1111 public elementary schools	91.3%		87	88^th of 1110 public elementary schools	92.1%	9														94.4	94.2	94.3											85.7							94.4	86.5	82.9																			84.3	$12,352	$32	$12,320
Salem High	Public	9-12	400 Spartan Dr	Salem	24153	Salem city	Salem City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 387-2437	1,202	133	9.0	40.3%	784 (65.2%)	200 (16.6%)	123 (10.2%)	29 (2.4%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	63 (5.2%)	70.8	81^st of 331 public high schools	75.5%		71.8	78^th of 328 public high schools	76.2%	3		95.5	≥ 50%				85.9	94.4	≥ 50%	≥ 50%		100.0	≥ 50%							≥ 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%	93.5	75.2	56.3	< 50%				372.0	399.0	417.0	≥ 50%							≥ 50%	60.0	92.8	421.0		< 50%	384.0	≥ 50%		360.0	< 50%	413.0	< 50%				$10,959	$259	$10,700
G.W. Carver Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6 Fourth St	Salem	24153	Salem city	Salem City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 387-2492	404	29	13.8	88.4%	234 (57.9%)	96 (23.8%)	47 (11.6%)	7 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (4.7%)	80.9	190^th of 1111 public elementary schools	82.9%		72.1	325^th of 1110 public elementary schools	70.7%	135														89.5	82.3	90.4											82.2							81.1	83.3	87.7																			84.4	$11,049	$985	$10,064
Andrew Lewis Middle	Public	6-8	616 South College Ave	Salem	24153	Salem city	Salem City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 387-2513	839	49	17.1	44.8%	544 (64.8%)	138 (16.4%)	92 (11.0%)	19 (2.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (5.4%)	59.6	172^nd of 416 public middle schools	58.7%		60.4	172^nd of 419 public middle schools	58.9%		100.0				100.0	96.9											73.5	76.1	51.8									66.7	≥ 50%								77.7	75.1	72.2					365.0									68.2	409.0		$10,255	$329	$9,926
West Salem Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	520 N Bruffey St	Salem	24153	Salem city	Salem City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 387-2503	375	27	13.7	35.5%	296 (78.9%)	24 (6.4%)	26 (6.9%)	12 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.5%)	70.7	342^nd of 1111 public elementary schools	69.2%		72.2	323^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	70.9%	19														87.3	87.0	77.2											64.9							72.7	87.0	75.4																			87.9	$11,080	$196	$10,883
East Salem Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1765 Boulevard	Salem	24153	Salem city	Salem City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 375-7001	378	30	12.8	88.1%	163 (43.1%)	76 (20.1%)	94 (24.9%)	9 (2.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (9.3%)	54.2	569^th of 1111 public elementary schools	48.8%		54.4	545^th of 1110 public elementary schools	50.9%	24														71.4	83.9	80.6											59.7							74.6	78.6	62.7																			75.5	$11,920	$910	$11,010
South Salem Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1600 Carolyn Rd	Salem	24153	Salem city	Salem City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 387-2478	371	36	10.1	40.2%	282 (76.0%)	30 (8.1%)	36 (9.7%)	8 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.0%)	77.2	246^th of 1111 public elementary schools	77.9%		77.6	251^st of 1110 public elementary schools	77.4%	5														87.5	90.2	75.0											76.8							80.4	90.2	80.4																			84.5	$11,167	$441	$10,726
Virginia Virtual Academy at Salem	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	510 South College Ave	Salem	24153	Salem city	Salem City Public Schools	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(540) 389-0130	415	59	6.9	—	225 (54.2%)	85 (20.5%)	39 (9.4%)	28 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (9.2%)								(n/a)	≥ 50%				451.0	71.4								38.5	54.2	50.0	56.1	54.7	49.4								58.2	67.9	≥ 50%					52.9	71.9	74.6	81.5	86.2	82.5														78.1	401.0	44.8	$5,946	$00	$5,946

Cities Near Salem

City	Distance	# of Schools	Statewide Rank
Roanoke	3.64 mi	48	214^th
Pound	7 mi	2	9^th
Elliston	10.04 mi	2	318^th
Vinton	10.92 mi	4	99^th
Cloverdale	10.95 mi	2	43^rd

See the top VA Virginia cities

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.