Salem County Schools & Education

Salem County, New Jersey

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

92/100

Higher = better

Rating

High Performing

Graduation Rate

95.3%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

95.3%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 91.4%

Per-Pupil Spending

$12,160

National avg $13,239

State avg $13,088

School Score

92/100

Higher = better

State avg 80/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#5

of 21 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Salem County

School Verdict

Salem County is a high-performing district with a school score of 92/100 and a graduation rate of 95.3%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.

Funding Context

With $12,160 per pupil, Salem County has adequate funding that generally covers core educational needs and some supplemental services.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Salem County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 15% above the New Jersey average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 7% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Salem County, New Jersey

Small-Scale Education Across Salem County

Salem County operates a focused education network of 33 public schools serving 11,054 students across 14 distinct districts. The infrastructure includes 17 elementary schools and 6 high schools, providing a high ratio of districts to students for localized governance. Four specialized 'other' schools and two special education centers round out the county's academic framework.

High Graduation Rates and Efficient Spending

The county boasts an impressive 95.3% graduation rate, significantly outperforming both the New Jersey average of 91.4% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. While per-pupil expenditure of $12,160 remains below the state average of $13,088, the composite school score of 67.5 slightly exceeds the state norm. These metrics suggest Salem County schools achieve strong student outcomes while maintaining lean operational budgets.

Regional Districts Lead the County

The Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District is the largest in the area, managing five schools and 2,145 students. Other major players include the Pennsville School District with 1,796 students and Pittsgrove Township with 1,681. School choice is concentrated in traditional public settings, as only one charter school exists, representing just 3.0% of the county's total schools.

A Predominantly Rural Learning Environment

Attending school in Salem County often means a rural experience, with 15 schools situated in rural locales and 8 in small towns. The average school size is a cozy 335 students, fostering close-knit environments like the 543-student Woodstown High. The Salem County Career and Technical High School stands as the largest institution, yet still maintains a manageable enrollment of 738 students.

Plant Roots Near Salem's Top Schools

Families seeking high graduation rates and small-school environments will find Salem County's diverse districts highly appealing. As you explore local real estate, consider how proximity to top-performing regional districts can enhance your long-term property value. Discover your future home in a community that prioritizes personalized education and student success.

School Overview

Total Schools

33

in Salem County

Total Enrollment

11,054

students

School Districts

14

districts

Charter Schools

1

3% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary17
Middle6
High6
Other4

14 School Districts in Salem County

Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District

5 schools
2,145 students

Pennsville School District

5 schools
1,796 students

Pittsgrove Township School District

5 schools
1,681 students

Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District

4 schools
1,493 students

Salem City School District

3 schools
1,318 students

Salem County Vocational Technical School District

1 school
738 students

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP School District

1 school
333 students

Oldmans Township School District

1 school
282 students

Quinton Township School District

1 school
282 students

Alloway Twp School District

1 school
262 students

33 Public Schools in Salem County

Salem County Career and Technical High School

Salem County Vocational Technical School District

9–12Vocational738 students
Penns Grove High School

Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District

9–12High576 students
Woodstown High School

Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District

9–12High543 students
Mary S. Shoemaker School

Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District

KG–5Primary515 students
Field Street School

Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District

1–3Primary501 students
Pittsgrove Township Middle School

Pittsgrove Township School District

5–8Middle499 students
Arthur P. Schalick High School

Pittsgrove Township School District

9–12High495 students
Penns Grove Middle School

Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District

6–8Middle492 students
Salem Middle School

Salem City School District

3–8Middle487 students
Pennsville Memorial High School

Pennsville School District

9–12High462 students
Pennsville Middle School

Pennsville School District

6–8Middle440 students
Salem High School

Salem City School District

9–12High420 students
John Fenwick Academy

Salem City School District

PK–2Primary411 students
Valley Park Elementary School

Pennsville School District

PK–1Primary362 students
Olivet Elementary School

Pittsgrove Township School District

2–4Primary342 students
Paul W Carleton

Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District

4–5Primary340 students
Upper Pittsgrove School

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP School District

PK–8Primary333 students
Penn Beach Elementary

Pennsville School District

4–5Primary316 students
Woodstown Middle School

Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District

6–8Middle283 students
Oldmans Township School

Oldmans Township School District

PK–8Primary282 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$12,160

State avg $13,088

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Salem County rate?
Salem County has a school score of 92/100, which is considered high performing. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Salem County?
The high school graduation rate in Salem County is 95.3%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Salem County spend per student?
Salem County spends $12,160 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Salem County, New Jersey — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Salem County, New Jersey?

Salem County operates a focused education network of 33 public schools serving 11,054 students across 14 distinct districts. The infrastructure includes 17 elementary schools and 6 high schools, providing a high ratio of districts to students for localized governance. Four specialized 'other' schools and two special education centers round out the county's academic framework.

How do schools in Salem County perform academically?

The county boasts an impressive 95.3% graduation rate, significantly outperforming both the New Jersey average of 91.4% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. While per-pupil expenditure of $12,160 remains below the state average of $13,088, the composite school score of 67.5 slightly exceeds the state norm. These metrics suggest Salem County schools achieve strong student outcomes while maintaining lean operational budgets.

What are the major school districts in Salem County, New Jersey?

The Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District is the largest in the area, managing five schools and 2,145 students. Other major players include the Pennsville School District with 1,796 students and Pittsgrove Township with 1,681. School choice is concentrated in traditional public settings, as only one charter school exists, representing just 3.0% of the county's total schools.

What is the school experience like in Salem County?

Attending school in Salem County often means a rural experience, with 15 schools situated in rural locales and 8 in small towns. The average school size is a cozy 335 students, fostering close-knit environments like the 543-student Woodstown High. The Salem County Career and Technical High School stands as the largest institution, yet still maintains a manageable enrollment of 738 students.

How can I find homes near good schools in Salem County, New Jersey?

Families seeking high graduation rates and small-school environments will find Salem County's diverse districts highly appealing. As you explore local real estate, consider how proximity to top-performing regional districts can enhance your long-term property value. Discover your future home in a community that prioritizes personalized education and student success.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.