Best Schools in Salem, South Dakota
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.
Mccook Central Middle School - 03
Middle · Mccook Central School District 43-7. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Mccook Central High School - 01
High · Mccook Central School District 43-7. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Mccook Central Elementary - 02
Elementary · Mccook Central School District 43-7. 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 Mccook Central Middle School - 03 (5.7/10), Mccook Central High School - 01 (5.5/10), and Mccook Central Elementary - 02 (5.0/10), 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
in this city
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$199,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$199,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +14.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Salem schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Salem
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 rated schools; 4 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mccook Central Middle School - 03 | 5.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Mccook Central High School - 01 | 5.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Mccook Central Elementary - 02 | 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
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $79,119
- Median home value
- $199,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
0% 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
South Dakota rank
#107 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below South Dakota avg (6.3)
Median household income
$79k
113% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
3
Mccook Central School District 43-7 runs Salem's public schools
4 public schools. Mccook Central School District 43-7 is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Salem is a Mccook Central School District 43-7 school (4 of 4).
Among 3 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.0 to 5.7 — the spread is inside Salem, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Salem, South Dakota
Salem, South Dakota 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 5.4 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 Mccook Central Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 5.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Salem is served by 1 school district: McCook Central School District 43-7. These districts collectively serve 472 students.
Salem's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $79,119. The poverty rate in the area is 8.0%.
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 | 208 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.0 |
| 2 | 28 students · Kindergarten–8th | — |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 115 students · 5th–8th | 5.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 121 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
Schools in Salem
Salem, South Dakota · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$79,119
Median Home Value
$199,700
Median Rent
$866/mo
Population
1,792
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Community Profile
Salem has a median household income of $79,119. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $199,700, with a median rent of $866/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in South Dakota
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, South Dakota
How many schools are in Salem, South Dakota?
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, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Salem is 5.4 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, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Mccook Central Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Salem, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Mccook Central Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 5.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Salem, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Mccook Central Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best high school in Salem, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Salem on MySchoolScout is Mccook Central High School - 01 with a composite score of 5.5/10.
How many school districts serve Salem, South Dakota?
Salem is served by 1 school district: Mccook Central School District 43-7.
What is the education level in Salem, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 26% of adults in Salem have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Salem, South Dakota?
The median household income in Salem is approximately $79,119 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Salem, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Salem is 18.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Salem, South Dakota?
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, South Dakota Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.