Salem Middle School

5333 Salem Rd

School District

Dekalb County
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Dekalb 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 September 19, 2024

Very Very Very Lazy Rude & Disrespectful Staff
Submitted by other on July 26, 2024

I wish I had done more research about Salem Middle School before enrolling. From the time I moved there until the day I graduated, I was met with nothing but disappointment regarding the behavior of both students and teachers. There were nonstop fights; on my first day, while waiting in the office to get my schedule, I saw a 7th grader screaming because he had just been jumped by a group of 8th graders in the bathrooms. On the last day of Georgia state testing, a school officer pepper-sprayed several students due to the actions of one, causing chaos with students screaming, crying, passing out, and bumping into lockers trying to get to the nurse's office.These incidents are just a few examples of what I witnessed during my time at Salem not including my experiences educationally, and I wasn’t there for long. This was genuinely one of the worst schools I have ever attended. So please, if you have a choice, do not send your children to this school as I am sure their experience will not be any better than mine.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2023

This was my students first yr. If your child has any lack… such as talks to much or ask too many questions expect many days of ISS. This school do not have any means of redirecting or solving problems other than ISS OR OSS. The assistant 7th grade principal is the most unconcerned and unbothered person you want to meet.They create documentation once you ask for them and They call for conferences about any concerns after they handout consequences. This school is by far one I consider damaging for kids that has small issues such as puberty but great for kids that want to be gangsters or enslaved to thinking inside the box and not geared towards the future.Poor administrators and teachers here want robots. With no grace.My kids will leave here with a scarlet letter for genetic behavior that they will evolve from but the school had no answer for but ISS or OSS.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2022

My son wanted to try out for basketball I the parent went to the basketball meeting.the coach said conditioning wasn’t mandatory but tryouts was on the 24th and he will be cutting kids on the first day my son got cut on the 27th without even seeing a basketball court how can you cut a child without a basketball tryout
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2018

Middle school is tough no matter where you go. It takes a partnership. Parents can't leave it up to the teachers to teach and parent the students.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2018

4/5 this school is really improving and turning itself around
Submitted by teacher on May 24, 2017

I'd vote for the state to take it over so that the children here had a chance.
Submitted by other on January 11, 2017

The teaching staff don't appear to care anything about the children's education. They don't communicate with the parents until progress reports or report cards are getting ready to be sent home. The don't update grades frequently in the Infinite Campus portal. The school itself doesn't have basic necessities like paper towels and the bathroom stalls are missing doors! They don't have a technology teacher yet they are giving out grades. The principal isn't involved in getting this school turned around at all. They lose the students grades in the system and punish the children by giving them failing grades. If you are think about sending your child here DON'T!
Submitted by other on December 16, 2015

Please Just close this school down it worth more close than open.. We as parents send our kids to school to get an education. How at this school when the teachers doesn't care. The principals are full of BS. The secretary sits on the phone and talk about every one with the police officer. Is this what we want teacher our kids.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2015

Salem was the middle school in my area,therefore it wasn't a school of choice more like force,I've heard several nightmares about this school and my experience was a nightmare as well,This was my daughter first year of middle school therefore I was under the impression I had to register her,Little did I know she was already registered,however the lady who was in charge of registration was very very did I say very unprofessional. I arrived @ 12:30 there was a sign on the door saying out to lunch from 12-1 so I waited ,the door finally opened at 1:08p.m.I sat there filled out my paperwork was being assisted by someone's teenage son, after finishing up my package the guy took my paperwork to the person in charge she told him to tell me I had to come back another day because registration ended at 1 o'clock,when I asked the guy to ask her to meet with me she took her precious time to come out ,she took at least 15 mins to come speak with me ,she insisted I was too late to register,she also stated I was missing documents to make a long story short if she was more knowledgeable pertaining to her job she could've checked the computer and saw where my daughter elementary school had forwarded all her information and my child was already registered.Majority of the staff I've come in contact with is a very poor asset to Salem Middle School,and if I could give them a 0 rating that's exactly what I would give them.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2015

I totally agree with all the reviews. I have a child currently in the 7th grade. I cannot WAIT for the school year to be over.. so I can get out of there. Most of the teachers are there just to get a pay check. They do not send home homework and when they do it's something the child has never done in class. They sit and listen to children been picked on daily and call all sort of names and then say it's not bulling. They watch children fighting and do nothing, it's like their there but not. The school system does care about our children, they are setting them to to fail. It's sad because it our taxes that we pay is paying them so we are basically paying the to do this to our children. I really think they need to do some house cleaning and the cleaning needs to start with the directors office. IT'S REALLY SAD.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

RUN FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL.. TEACHERS CAN HIT YOUR CHILD, AND NO ONE WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT IF YOU CAN PUT YOUR CHILD SOMEWHERE ELSE PLEASE DO SO.TEACHERS ARE ONLY THERE TO GET A CHECK.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2014

This school needs the head of the board of education and do a clean sweep of teachers and administration. Ive never seen such unprofessionalism in a school. Teachers cursing at the kids, kids cursing at teachers. They allow bullying and they dont protect the children that are being taunted day in and day out. Please please please DO NOT SEND YOUR KIDS HERE. The supertintendant needs to start looking at this site and cleaning up these schools in Dekalb county. The enviroment at this school is not a positive one and I think they need to closed and they only recieved a 1 because you have to put a rate. People stay away from this school pure garbage. Lack of accountabilty and discipline. The only middle school on this side of Lithonia and its HORRIBLE. Its a shame the only reason you send your kids to this school because you have no other options.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2014

This school is horrible...A large percentage of the teachers are just there for a consistent check...not because they have a passion to teach our children...the school is a fashion show of who can have the blondiest weave....or the highest heels.....there is no thrive for educating our children and pushing them to higher levels unless you do this at home...parents are protesting outside of the school...principals and teachers have lackadaisical attitudes towards educating our children. Teachers don't keep good grade records and I had to challenge 2 teacher by email (did not return numerous calls to schedule appt) which turned into battles with several teacher, because esis portal says my child has one grade but the teachers put a totally different grade in the portal that does not calculate. Then when you as the parent challenge them you almost have to contact the superindent to get them to do there job correctly. Children are always fighting.......the school reminds me of a scene out of "Lean On Me" W/ Morgan Freeman.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

Salem Middle school has some really great teachers. As well as some teachers who should probably consider a different career or retirement. As a parent we can't place the blame entirely on the individual school. From my observation the problems stems mostly from the students who are a product of their parents. Children need discipline and real consequences. When the parents fail to do so the schools should not be stuck with the burden of attempting to educate children who feel that's not what they want. The system should have an alternative program in place for those who do not care to be there and parents are not supportive in their children educational process. Therefore those who really want to learn can receive all that there is to offer. Clean up our schools, with teachers, parents and students who share common educational goals.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2014

Absolutely REPULSIVE! If I could have rated them a negative I would have! Please parents save yourself the headache. My son is in the 6th grade and I am desperately trying to get him elsewhere.
Submitted by other on July 02, 2013

Salem isn't bad. They have been putting teachers/staff out of the building , because they have been lacking. So , this year it should be better.
Submitted by other on May 06, 2013

Everyone always screams bloody murder about Salem. When I had to go this school in the 6th grade I cried. All the awful rumors I had heard about the school made me think that I was gonna die if I when there. Salem is NOT as bad as you think it is. Are some of the students disruptive? Yes. Are there some horrible teachers? Yes. But no school is perfect, especially in DeKalb County and of all places in the South DeKalb area. I had some great experiences there, because I could block out others foolishness. If your child is easily swayed and stands on rocky ground don't send them here. If you know your child can stay true to themselves and do their work, they will succeed and rise above the rest. Don't hate on Salem if you've never been there.
Submitted by other on April 19, 2013

They Should Make this school abandoned or Get A new principal And also new staff members
Submitted by other on July 30, 2012

i i was at salem in the 6th grade in 2012 and i loved it i was happy tolearn everyday i love salem my favorite teacher was mr.kelly on 6d i loved salem and this is india davenport