Best Schools in Salem, Illinois
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Salem?
Use this page to compare every school in Salem by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Franklin Park Middle School
Middle · Salem Sd 111. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Selmaville Elem School
Elementary · Selmaville Ccsd 10. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hawthorn Elem School
Elementary · Salem Sd 111. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Salem for 2026 are Franklin Park Middle School (7.8/10), Selmaville Elem School (6.1/10), and Hawthorn Elem School (5.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$111,500
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$111,500
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Salem
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin Park Middle School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Selmaville Elem School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Hawthorn Elem School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Salem Community High School | 4.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $69,025
- Median home value
- $111,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 14 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Salem compares
Illinois rank
#240 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$69k
84% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Salem, Illinois
Salem, Illinois is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Salem show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Salem is Franklin Park Middle School with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Salem is served by 3 school districts: Salem SD 111, Salem CHSD 600, Selmaville CCSD 10. These districts collectively serve 1,882 students.
Salem's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $69,025. The poverty rate in the area is 14.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 231 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 378 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 5.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 559 students · 4th–8th | 7.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 714 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
Schools in Salem
Salem, Illinois · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$69,025
Median Home Value
$111,500
Median Rent
$750/mo
Population
11,218
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
14 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Community Profile
Salem has a median household income of $69,025. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,500, with a median rent of $750/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Illinois
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Salem, Illinois
How many schools are in Salem, Illinois?
Salem has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Salem, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Salem is 6.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Salem, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Franklin Park Middle School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Salem, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Selmaville Elem School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Salem, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Franklin Park Middle School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Salem, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Salem Community High School with a composite score of 4.8/10.
How many school districts serve Salem, Illinois?
Salem is served by 3 school districts: Salem Sd 111, Salem Chsd 600, Selmaville Ccsd 10.
What is the education level in Salem, Illinois?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Salem have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Salem, Illinois?
The median household income in Salem is approximately $69,025 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Salem, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Salem is 13.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Salem, Illinois?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Illinois Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.