Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Salem County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Salem County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 33 public schools serving 11,024 students in Salem County, NJ (there are 1 private school, serving 35 private students). 100% of all K-12 students in Salem County, NJ are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 87%).
The top-ranked public schools in Salem County, NJ are Mannington Township Elementary School, Upper Pittsgrove School and Mary S. Shoemaker School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Salem County, NJ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the New Jersey public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Salem County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public schools.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the New Jersey public school average of 63% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Salem County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mannington Township Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
495 Route 45
Salem, NJ 08079
(856) 935-1078
Gr: PK-8 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Upper Pittsgrove School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
235 Pine Tavern Road
Monroeville, NJ 08343
(856) 358-8163
Gr: PK-8 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Mary S. Shoemaker School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Mary S Shoemaker School, 201
Woodstown, NJ 08098
(856) 769-0144
Gr: K-5 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
Elsinboro Township School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
631 Salem Fort Elfsborg Road
Salem, NJ 08079
(856) 935-3817
Gr: PK-8 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #55.
Lower Alloways Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
967 Main St Canton
Salem, NJ 08079
(856) 935-2707
Gr: PK-8 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #66.
Oldmans Township School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
10 Freed Road
Pedricktown, NJ 08067
(856) 299-4240
Gr: PK-8 | 308 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #77.
Woodstown Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Woodstown Middle School, 15 Li
Woodstown, NJ 08098
(856) 769-0144
Gr: 6-8 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #88.
Woodstown High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Woodstown High School, 140 Eas
Woodstown, NJ 08098
(856) 769-0144
Gr: 9-12 | 550 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #99.
Penn Beach Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
96 Kansas Rd
Pennsville, NJ 08070
(856) 540-6200
Gr: 3-5 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1010.
Creativity Colaboratory Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
457 Shirley Road
Elmer, NJ 08318
(856) 358-2472
Gr: 5-8 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Alloway Township School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
43 Cedar St
Alloway, NJ 08001
(856) 935-1622
Gr: PK-8 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Quinton Township School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8 Robinson Street
Quinton, NJ 08072
(856) 935-2379
Gr: PK-8 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1313.
Pittsgrove Township Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1082 Almond Road
Elmer, NJ 08318
(856) 358-8529
Gr: 5-8 | 495 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1414.
Olivet Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
235 Sheep Pen Road
Elmer, NJ 08318
(856) 358-2081
Gr: 2-4 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Central Park Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
43 Oliver Ave
Pennsville, NJ 08070
(856) 540-6200
Gr: K-3 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Salem County Career And Technical High School
Vocational School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
880 Route 45
Woodstown, NJ 08098
(856) 769-0101
Gr: 9-12 | 754 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1717.
Field Street School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
144 Field Street
Penns Grove, NJ 08069
(856) 299-0170
Gr: 1-3 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1818.
Arthur P. Schalick High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
718 Centerton Road
Elmer, NJ 08318
(856) 358-2054
Gr: 9-12 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1919.
Salem High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
219 Walnut St
Salem, NJ 08079
(856) 935-3900
Gr: 9-12 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2020.
Pennsville Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4 William Penn Avenue
Pennsville, NJ 08070
(856) 540-6200
Gr: 6-8 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2121.
Pennsville Memorial High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
110 S Broadway
Pennsville, NJ 08070
(856) 540-6200
Gr: 9-12 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2222.
Paul W Carleton
(Math: 15% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
251 Maple Avenue
Penns Grove, NJ 08069
(856) 299-1706
Gr: 4-5 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2323.
Penns Grove High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
334 Harding Highway
Penns Grove, NJ 08069
(856) 299-6300
Gr: 9-12 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2424.
Penns Grove Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
351 Maple Avenue
Penns Grove, NJ 08069
(856) 299-0576
Gr: 6-8 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #2525.
Salem Middle School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
51 New Market Street
Salem, NJ 08079
(856) 935-2700
Gr: 3-8 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: n/an/a
Daretown School
Special Education School
404 Daretown Road
Elmer, NJ 08318
(856) 358-2108
Gr: PK-12 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: n/an/a
Elmer Elementary School
207 Front Street
Elmer, NJ 08318
(856) 358-6761
Gr: K-1 | 197 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: n/an/a
John Fenwick Academy
183 Smith Street
Salem, NJ 08079
(856) 935-4100
Gr: PK-2 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
Lafayette - Pershing
237 Shell Road
Penns Grove, NJ 08069
(856) 299-3230
Gr: PK-K | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
Nj Regional Day - Mannington
Special Education School
45 Cheney Road
Woodstown, NJ 08098
(856) 769-0101
Gr: K-12 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
Norma Elementary School
873 Gershal Avenue
Elmer, NJ 08318
(856) 358-3094
Gr: PK | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: n/an/a
Valley Park Elementary School
63 Mahoney Road
Pennsville, NJ 08070
(856) 540-6200
Gr: PK-1 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: n/an/a
William Roper Early Childhood Learning Center
211 East Lake Road
Woodstown, NJ 08098
(856) 769-0144
Gr: PK | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 21%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Salem County, NJ?
The top-ranked public schools in Salem County, NJ include Mannington Township Elementary School, Upper Pittsgrove School and Mary S. Shoemaker School.
How many public schools are located in Salem County?
34 public schools are located in Salem County.
What percentage of students in Salem County go to public school?
100% of all K-12 students in Salem County are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 87%).
What is the racial composition of students in Salem County?
Salem County public schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the New Jersey public schools average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Salem County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (NJ):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
 15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
 Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons

More Articles

About Public Schools
Parenting and Learning Issues
Public School Policies
Scholarships
Public School Jobs