Best Schools in Salem, Ohio
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 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.
West Branch Early Learning Center
Elementary · West Branch Local. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Southeast Elementary School
Middle · Salem City. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St Paul School
Elementary. 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 West Branch Early Learning Center (8.7/10), Southeast Elementary School (6.8/10), and St Paul School (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$153,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$153,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Salem
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Branch Early Learning Center | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Southeast Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | St Paul School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Reilly Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Salem High School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Salem Wesleyan Academy | 5.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Salem Junior High School | 5.0 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $59,882
- Median home value
- $153,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
13% 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
Ohio rank
#330 of 442
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Ohio avg (6.4)
Median household income
$60k
84% of Ohio median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Salem, Ohio
Salem, Ohio is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.1 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 West Branch Early Learning Center with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Salem is served by 2 school districts: West Branch Local, Salem City. These districts collectively serve 3,693 students.
Salem's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $59,882. The poverty rate in the area is 13.2%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 385 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 8.7 | ||
| 2 | 269 students · 3rd–4th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | 434 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 4.5 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Paul School
Private
119 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.7 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 293 students · 5th–6th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 286 students · 7th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 658 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salem Wesleyan Academy
Private
65 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.3 |
Schools in Salem
Salem, Ohio · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$59,882
Median Home Value
$153,200
Median Rent
$770/mo
Population
25,289
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Community Profile
Salem has a median household income of $59,882. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,200, with a median rent of $770/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Ohio
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Ohio
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, Ohio
How many schools are in Salem, Ohio?
Salem has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Salem, Ohio?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Salem is 6.1 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, Ohio?
The top-ranked school in Salem on MySchoolScout is West Branch Early Learning Center with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Salem, Ohio?
The top-ranked elementary school in Salem on MySchoolScout is West Branch Early Learning Center with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Salem, Ohio?
The top-ranked middle school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Southeast Elementary School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Salem, Ohio?
The top-ranked high school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Salem High School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
How many school districts serve Salem, Ohio?
Salem is served by 2 school districts: West Branch Local, Salem City.
What is the education level in Salem, Ohio?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Salem have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Salem, Ohio?
The median household income in Salem is approximately $59,882 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Salem, Ohio?
Yes, Salem has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Paul School with a score of 6.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Salem, Ohio?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Salem is 17.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Salem, Ohio?
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, Ohio Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.