Best Schools in West Salem, Ohio
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in West Salem?
Use this page to compare every school in West 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.
Northwestern Elementary School
Elementary · Northwestern Local. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Northwestern Middle School
Middle · Northwestern Local. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Northwestern High School
High · Northwestern Local. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in West Salem for 2026 are Northwestern Elementary School (8.8/10), Northwestern Middle School (6.2/10), and Northwestern High School (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$171,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$171,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in West Salem
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern Elementary School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Northwestern Middle School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Northwestern High School | 6.0 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $71,146
- Median home value
- $171,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 87%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How West Salem compares
Ohio rank
#163 of 442
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above Ohio avg (6.4)
Median household income
$71k
100% of Ohio median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in West Salem, Ohio
West Salem, Ohio is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in West Salem perform strongly 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 West Salem is Northwestern Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
West Salem is served by 1 school district: Northwestern Local. These districts collectively serve 1,259 students.
West Salem's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $71,146. The poverty rate in the area is 9.6%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 636 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 289 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 334 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 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 | West Salem Christian Educators
Private
1 students · 11th–11th | — | ||
Schools in West Salem
West Salem, Ohio · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$71,146
Median Home Value
$171,300
Median Rent
$788/mo
Population
7,892
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
87%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Community Profile
West Salem has a median household income of $71,146. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,300, with a median rent of $788/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Ohio
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
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 West Salem, Ohio
How many schools are in West Salem, Ohio?
West Salem has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in West Salem, Ohio?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in West Salem is 7.0 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 West Salem, Ohio?
The top-ranked school in West Salem on MySchoolScout is Northwestern Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in West Salem, Ohio?
The top-ranked elementary school in West Salem on MySchoolScout is Northwestern Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in West Salem, Ohio?
The top-ranked middle school in West Salem on MySchoolScout is Northwestern Middle School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best high school in West Salem, Ohio?
The top-ranked high school in West Salem on MySchoolScout is Northwestern High School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
How many school districts serve West Salem, Ohio?
West Salem is served by 1 school district: Northwestern Local.
What is the education level in West Salem, Ohio?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in West Salem have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in West Salem, Ohio?
The median household income in West Salem is approximately $71,146 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in West Salem, Ohio?
Yes, West Salem has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in West Salem, Ohio?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in West Salem is 12.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in West 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.