- Salem High School — 2.6 mi · Grades 9–12 · 393 students
- John Fenwick Academy — 2.6 mi · Grades PK–2 · 387 students
- Salem Middle School — 2.7 mi · Grades 3–8 · 472 students
| Metric | Salem City School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,348 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $29,205/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 66% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
Zip code 08079 is split between districts by area. No single district serves most of this zip. Residents live in different school districts: about 49% in Salem City School District, about 15% in Quinton Township School District, about 14% in Lower Alloways Creek Township School District, about 10% in Mannington Township School District, about 9% in Elsinboro Township School District. The page is headed by the district with the largest share; check your exact address with the district.
| GRADES | DISTRICT | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K–12 All grades (49% of area) | Salem City School District 1,348 students · 3 schools | 1/10 |
| Pre-K–8 Grades Pre-K–8 (15% of area) | Quinton Township School District 287 students · 1 school | 3/10 |
| Pre-K–8 Grades Pre-K–8 (14% of area) | Lower Alloways Creek Township School District 176 students · 1 school | 3/10 |
| Pre-K–8 Grades Pre-K–8 (10% of area) | Mannington Township School District 172 students · 1 school | 8/10 |
| Pre-K–8 Grades Pre-K–8 (9% of area) | Elsinboro Township School District 119 students · 1 school | 4/10 |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem City School District (this district) | 1/10 | 1st | 1,348 |
| Quinton Township School District | 3/10 | 24th | 287 |
| Alloway Township School District | 6/10 | 51st | 264 |
| Lower Alloways Creek Township School District | 3/10 | 27th | 176 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 582 rated districts in NJ → 1st percentile → 1/10.
Source: New Jersey Dept. of Education NJSLA, grades 3–8 Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Salem City School District
Salem City School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 08079 in Salem, New Jersey. Serving students from Pre-K – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 08079. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Salem City School District 1 out of 10 — low-rated among New Jersey public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in New Jersey’s NJSLA grades 3–8 ELA & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because New Jersey is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Salem City School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in New Jersey on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 08079
Children in zip code 08079 are assigned to Salem City School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 08079, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Salem City School District at (856)935-3800 or visit www.SALEMNJ.ORG. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — New Jersey districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Salem
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Salem City School District serves zip code 08079, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 08079. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In New Jersey, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Salem City School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 08079.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Salem City School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 08079 data.