The National Center for Educational Achievement (NCEA), a department of ACT, Inc., recognized Salem Elementary School as a 2011 NCEA Higher Performing School. Salem Elementary School received Higher Performing (HP) recognition in the following areas:

·        Math – Higher performing in both Advanced Performance and Growth

·        Literacy – Higher performing in both Advanced Performance and Growth

·        Science – Higher performing in both Advanced Performance and Growth

The Higher Performing Schools (formerly known as Just for the Kids Schools) are identified by two measures: consistent improvement in student achievement from previous years (growth) and/or absolute student achievement using the school's advanced performance results on the spring 2010 Arkansas ABE (Augmented Benchmark Examinations). NCEA's higher performing methodology controls for school and student demographics to allow for an apples-to-apples comparison of school achievement and to demonstrate that with the commitment of educators, all schools can have success no matter the zip code. NCEA provided award certificates to each Higher Performing School and the district.

This is the fourth time that Salem Elementary School has received the Higher Performing School Award.  The school also received the award in 2004, 2009, and 2010. 

83 Arkansas schools received the award in 2011.  Salem Elementary School is the only Arkansas' school recognized by NCEA that received Higher Performing recognition in all three subject areas for both advanced performance and growth.