Salem Middle

6150 Old Jenks Road

School District

Wake County
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Wake County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 04, 2024

This school rewards the popular students in head to toe lululemon who can schmooze with teachers and ignores the kids who are quiet and studious. I was appalled at a recent 7th grade award ceremony where the same 5 kids took every award + student voted superlatives rewarding obnoxious, loud, and rich tweens. It was in poor taste. Also, if your child is even the slightest bit neurodiverse, beware. The SPED support here is severely lacking and requires constant intervention from parents to ensure IEPs are being followed. All in all, this was my own middle school h311 realized through the eyes of my child.
Submitted by student on May 08, 2024

My experience is really pleasant. The classrooms are satisfying and the teachers do a marvelous job at teaching. The school is overall amazing and nothing is lousy here. There isn't too much homework or too less. I would definitely recommend this school if you are looking for an uncomplicated and great school to improve in life.
Submitted by other on October 06, 2023

This is all based on how I felt during my middle school years. Honestly I think the school itself was great. Their were a few things that should have gotten addressed. Bullying. It was addressed but it still happened. I think that the band needs to be out in the mornings and more band members for pep rally. It REALLY brings the 'WE ARE SALEM' spirit. I must say I have a favorite and its my 8th grade math teacher Mrs.ohrah. Some staff really need a chill pill with the students. They connect with their parents and really exaggerate what happened to increase punishment. Honestly I don't really know what else to address but I think that is the vast majority.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2023

Great school, but Teachers and staff are teaching and learning in torturing heat conditions with mid day temperatures in the high 90s, classrooms do not have air til about 1 or 2 pm. Unacceptable! If you cannot keep our family and loved ones safe and healthy, resort to remote learning immediately. This has got to stop! Wake County and district, legislature should be completely ashamed of themselves as this the United States, not some third world Nation. Just horrendous to place human beings in such conditions. Then complain about attendance and test scores? GET THE AIR CONDITIONING WORKING! STOP ABUSING THE STAFF AND CHILDREN. They deserve better.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2023

My son transferred here from Cardinal Charter academy and I have been so impressed with the staff here.They are on TOP of their game. Very supporting, always communicating with me. I would highly recommend Salem Middle School.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2022

We have had a great experience at Salem. My students, currently in 7th & 8th grade have had amazing teachers. Leadership is very responsive and really go above and beyond, especially during the past few years. Academics are strong and students will be well prepared for high school. The only drawback is the year-round calendar.
Submitted by other on September 15, 2021

Terrible lack of leadership. The administration in this school is the worst I've ever seen. Do your child and yourself a favor and get them into a better school with an experienced and professional Principal. Unfortunately this is not something you'll find at SMS.
Submitted by student on February 20, 2020

I love this school! I have a great time there! There are just a few kinks they need to work out
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2019

Overall the school has been great for our child in 6th and finishing 7th.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2017

This school is not proactive with transitioning students. They claim to be but have made very little effort on this front. The teachers will just leave those behind that seem to be struggling. There is zero communications from the teachers to the parents.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2015

This school is excellent. The teachers are very attentive to details. They focus very heavily on academic and student growth. Our students are very happy attending this school. Melissa
Submitted by other on May 30, 2014

This school has bullying and the teachers don't care! Except for a few teachers that do but there is always theft here.
Submitted by other on May 06, 2014

i am currently a 7th grader at this school it sucks really bad there is too much bullying and the teachers will not do anything to help at all my teacher is constanlly failing students and baleming tem for stuff they didnt do so yeah its the wrost school these thots aint loyal lol ... the teachers have no consideration for the stundent on what he or she is going on at home all u parents do not let your child go to this school sincerly a former stundent of salem
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2014

I believe Salem is an above average MS. My son entered 7th grade after 5 years at Thales Private school so he had some adjustments to make in terms of thinking, organizing and managing for himself. Although his private schooling excelled in terms of his learning, he lacked independent skills coming into this school. Most importantly, he experienced a severe dose of bullying right off the bat which went on for almost 2 quarters before I blew a gasket with the administration. Sure there are plenty of posters and 'lip service' denouncing bullying at Salem, but when it came to dealing with it, my son was not justly served. It finally took a chance video of one event to prove there was an issue. I had to demand in a heated conversation with the principal a change of tracks which was reluctantly accommodated to resolve the problem. My sons grades dropped from A/B's to C/D's during the first half and have only marginally recovered since. I know some of this has to do with the transfer back to public school but his confidence was shattered when those who are trusted with his safety failed him on several occasions. Don't take NO for answers, the principal is supposed to be our PAL.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2014

There are a few exceptional teachers at this school and they really stand out! When is comes to Math teachers they have a major problem! My son had one teacher that has been there for several years still nervous in front of the students and would ask them how to do certain problems. Then there was my sons 8th grade year with 5 math teachers in one year! Another track had the same problem with 4 different math teachers. The principal was not interested in dealing with all the inadequate math teachers and would shy away from parent calls and emails and would not deal with the problem himself. Two years of bad math instruction to the point that Apex High had to have several Special Topics Math courses to bring all the Salem Middle students up to par.
Submitted by other on January 30, 2014

Salem Middles School is 100% absolutely TERRIBLE! They say they help you and prevent bullying and help with education. But all of those are lies. Half the school gets bullied and they do nothing about it. Teachers are not good with teaching at all. They just get mad or upset when the students fail for their faults. Like it's ridiculous. My daughter shouldn't be living like this. Everything about that school is pathetic! You think it's good!? Think again and find another school to go to. You'll hate it here and so will your child
Submitted by other on January 28, 2014

Salem is an excellent school. If you're looking for a school with a safe environment and clean facilities, this is the one. Bullying is almost nonexistant and the teachers are always looking out for students. There is no place on campus where there isn't adult supervision.. Which sounds annoying but actually lets students be more relaxed. As far as education goes, the teachers are knowledgable and explain concepts well. There are a couple of teachers here and there that are really strict, but no "bad" teacher has survived at Salem for more than a year. I have had a great experience at Salem and Salem has turned me from an okay student to an excelling student.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2012

I couldn't be more pleased with a middle school. My daughter comes home every single day after school telling me how much she loves all of her teachers. This has NEVER happened before. The track4 teachers at Salem are outstanding, as is the band teacher - top in Wake County. All of her teachers (mostly male by the way, which is rare these days) are having such an enormously positive impact on her and how she learns. I can't imagine being at any other school. It's a well-oiled machine at Salem, no complaints at all.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2012

Both of my children attend the SMS and while we had a rough patch in the past, I have not felt let down by the teachers and their efforts to engage and make learning the focus and lessons interesting. I thank them for all they do.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2012

Not too crazy about this school. Compassion and caring seem to be absent in some of the teachers and administrative staff.