Best Schools in Salem, Oregon
75 schools · 50 Elementary · 12 Middle · 9 High · 4 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.
Early College High School
High · Salem-keizer Sd 24j. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Eagle Charter School
Elementary · Oregon Department of Education. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Pratum Elementary School
Elementary · Silver Falls Sd 4j. 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 Early College High School (9.7/10), Eagle Charter School (8.8/10), and Pratum Elementary School (8.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 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
75
58 public · 17 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$393,243
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
75
58 public · 17 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$393,243
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 8.8/10 despite 65% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 4.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Salem schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Salem
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 75). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Early College High School | 9.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Eagle Charter School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Pratum Elementary School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Brush College Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | St Joseph School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Livingstone Adventist Academy | 7.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Blanchet Catholic School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Montessori Discovery Center | 7.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Little Friends Montessori | 7.5 / 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
- 5.0/10
- Median household income
- $78,506
- Median home value
- $393,243
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 60%
19% 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
Oregon rank
#101 of 117
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Oregon avg (6.3)
Median household income
$79k
102% of Oregon median
Schools in this city
70
Education Snapshot
Salem, OregonSalem's public school landscape covers 75 schools across 4 districts, serving approximately 34,740 students weighted heavily toward the lower grades — 50 elementary schools compared to 12 middle and 9 high schools. The city's MySchoolScout composite rating averages 5.0/10 across 70 scored schools, a meaningful gap below the Oregon state average of 6.3/10. That deficit tracks with the broader economic context: Salem's median household income of $78,310 sits 6% below the Oregon state median of $83,424, and 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Four charter schools operate within the city, giving families a limited but real alternative to the district system. The 1.3-point spread below the state average signals real variation across individual schools rather than a uniformly flat landscape, which makes school-by-school comparisons especially important for families choosing a neighborhood in Salem.
About Schools in Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon has 57 ranked public schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels. The city's average school score sits at 5.4 out of 10, which means quality varies considerably depending on where a family lives or which programs they pursue. Parents should research individual schools carefully rather than assuming neighborhood proximity equals a strong fit.
The upper tier is relatively narrow. Only 8 schools, or 14% of Salem's ranked public schools, score 7 or higher out of 10. Eagle Charter School leads the city with an 8.3, making it the highest-performing public school in Salem. Myers Elementary and Early College High School both score 8.1, while Brush College Elementary follows at 8.0 and Schirle Elementary rounds out the top five at 7.6. That concentration of top performers at the elementary level suggests families with younger children have more high-scoring options to consider, while middle and high school choices narrow at the upper end.
Early College High School is worth particular attention for families with high schoolers. It combines secondary coursework with college credit opportunities, which makes it a strong fit for academically motivated students willing to pursue a nontraditional path. Eagle Charter School, as a charter, may have enrollment caps or application requirements, so parents should confirm availability early in their search.
Practically speaking, Salem's spread between its top and average schools is significant. With a city average of 5.4 and a ceiling of 8.3, the gap between a neighborhood default school and an actively chosen option can be meaningful. Parents researching here should filter by grade level, check current enrollment policies for charter and magnet options, and compare individual school scores against the city average as a baseline. Using the 7-plus threshold as a starting filter — just 14% of schools clear it — helps quickly identify the strongest candidates before diving deeper into test scores, programs, and proximity.
Elementary Schools
50 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 152 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 67 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.4 |
| 3 | 265 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 4 | 508 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 |
| 5 | 285 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 |
| 6 | 318 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 |
| 7 | 349 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 |
| 8 | 454 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 |
| 9 | 397 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.2 |
| 10 | 164 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.9 |
Show all 50 elementary schools in Salem
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 94 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 186 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 3 | 571 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
| 4 | 581 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
| 5 | 833 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
| 6 | 772 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
| 7 | 735 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
| 8 | 1,035 students · 6th–8th | 4.4 |
| 9 | 674 students · 6th–8th | 4.1 |
| 10 | 1,041 students · 6th–8th | 2.6 |
Show all 12 middle schools in Salem
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 198 students · 9th–12th | 9.7 | ||
| 2 | 2,310 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 | ||
| 3 | 1,666 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 | ||
| 4 | 527 students · 7th–12th | 4.7 | ||
| 5 | 1,765 students · 9th–12th | 4.1 | ||
| 6 | 2,176 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 | ||
| 7 | 2,299 students · 9th–12th | 2.8 | ||
| 8 | 210 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
| 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 | Blanchet Catholic School
Private
342 students · 6th–12th | 7.8 | ||
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 94 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Livingstone Adventist Academy
Private
126 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 207 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | Western Christian School
Private
348 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.3 | ||
Schools in Salem
Salem, Oregon · 75 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 7 ZIP codes
Median Income
$78,506
Median Home Value
$393,243
Median Rent
$1,349/mo
Population
278,336
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
60%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Community Profile
Salem has a median household income of $78,506. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $393,243, with a median rent of $1,349/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Oregon
- Elementary
- 50
- Middle
- 12
- High
- 9
- Other
- 4
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Oregon
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, Oregon
How many schools are in Salem, Oregon?
Salem has 75 schools, including 58 public and 17 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Salem, Oregon?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Salem is 5.0 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, Oregon?
The top-ranked school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Early College High School with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Salem, Oregon?
The top-ranked elementary school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Eagle Charter School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Salem, Oregon?
The top-ranked middle school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Salem, Oregon?
The top-ranked high school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Early College High School with a composite score of 9.7/10.
How many school districts serve Salem, Oregon?
Salem is served by 4 school districts: Oregon Department of Education, Salem-keizer Sd 24j, Silver Falls Sd 4j, Chemawa Indian School.
What is the education level in Salem, Oregon?
According to Census data, 30% of adults in Salem have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Salem, Oregon?
The median household income in Salem is approximately $78,506 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Salem, Oregon?
Yes, Salem has 17 private schools alongside 58 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Joseph School with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Salem, Oregon?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Salem is 20.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Salem, Oregon?
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, Oregon Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.