Summary:
Zip code 26426 is home to just one elementary school, Salem Elementary, which serves grades PK through 5 with a total enrollment of 173 students in the Salem, WV area. This small school operates within the Harrison County Schools district, which holds a strong 4-star rating and ranks 17th out of 54 districts statewide.
For parents, the standout feature of Salem Elementary is its exceptional performance in English Language Arts (ELA). The school outperforms both district and state averages in every grade level, with 4th grade being particularly impressive at 70.4% proficiency compared to 49.6% statewide. Mathematics is also a strength in the early grades, with 3rd graders achieving 66.7% proficiency versus 54.4% statewide. However, there is a notable decline in math as students progress, with 5th grade proficiency dropping to just 37.5%—well below the state average of 44%. Science is the school's weakest area, with only 25% of 5th graders proficient, a significant drop from the previous year's 40% and below both district and state averages.
The school benefits from a favorable 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio and substantial per-student spending of $14,396, which likely contributes to its strong early-grade outcomes. Its state ranking has fluctuated between 97th and 133rd out of roughly 355-368 schools over the past three years, placing it in the 63rd-74th percentile. While the school's overall performance aligns closely with its district's strong reputation, the declining upper-grade math scores and volatile science results suggest that parents of older elementary students may want to monitor these areas closely. The lack of free/reduced lunch data limits socioeconomic analysis, but the school's consistent ELA outperformance and small class sizes make it a solid choice for families prioritizing literacy development.
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