Best Schools in Salem, Massachusetts
13 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other
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.
Bates
Elementary · Salem. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Witchcraft Heights
Elementary · Salem. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Bentley Academy Innovation School
Elementary · Salem. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Salem for 2026 are Bates (8.1/10), Witchcraft Heights (7.6/10), and Bentley Academy Innovation School (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 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
13
12 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$382,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
13
12 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$382,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Salem
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 rated schools; 13 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bates | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Witchcraft Heights | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Bentley Academy Innovation School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Salem Academy Charter School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Salem High | 6.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Carlton | 5.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Collins Middle | 5.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Saltonstall School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 9 | Horace Mann Laboratory | 4.7 / 10 |
| 10 | New Liberty Innovation School | 4.3 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $80,759
- Median home value
- $382,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 42%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 52%
27% 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
Massachusetts rank
#130 of 241
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below Massachusetts avg (6.3)
Median household income
$81k
71% of Massachusetts median
Schools in this city
11
Salem runs 92% of Salem's public schools
Salem touches 2 districts, but Salem is the one most addresses actually attend.
Salem accounts for 11 of 12 public schools (92%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 10 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.3 to 8.1 — the spread is inside Salem, not a citywide average.
- Salem11 public · 92%
- Salem Academy Charter (district)1 public · 8%
About Schools in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts is home to 13 schools, including 12 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Salem show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Salem is Bates with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Salem is served by 2 school districts: Salem Academy Charter (District), Salem. These districts collectively serve 4,299 students.
Salem's community shows 42% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $80,759. The poverty rate in the area is 11.2%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 397 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 446 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 270 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 4 | 254 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.8 | ||
| 5 | 390 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.4 | ||
| 6 | 307 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.7 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Phoenix SchoolPrivate 28 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 625 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 488 students · 6th–12th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 948 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 3 | 45 students · 9th–12th | 4.3 |
| 4 | 17 students · 8th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 112 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.9 |
Schools in Salem
Salem, Massachusetts · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$80,759
Median Home Value
$382,000
Median Rent
$1,553/mo
Population
60,051
College Educated
42%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Community Profile
Salem has a median household income of $80,759. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $382,000, with a median rent of $1,553/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Massachusetts
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 4
- Other
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in Massachusetts
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, Massachusetts
How many schools are in Salem, Massachusetts?
Salem has 13 schools, including 12 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Salem, Massachusetts?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Salem is 6.3 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, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Bates with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Salem, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked elementary school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Bates with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Salem, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked middle school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Collins Middle with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best high school in Salem, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked high school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Salem Academy Charter School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
How many school districts serve Salem, Massachusetts?
Salem is served by 2 school districts: Salem Academy Charter (district), Salem.
What is the education level in Salem, Massachusetts?
According to Census data, 42% of adults in Salem have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Salem, Massachusetts?
The median household income in Salem is approximately $80,759 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Salem, Massachusetts?
Yes, Salem has 1 private school alongside 12 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Salem, Massachusetts?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Salem is 10.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Salem, Massachusetts?
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.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Mass. Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.