Salem School District
School District · Salem, Massachusetts
Avg Rating
6.1
out of 10
Schools
11
6 elem, 1 mid, 3 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,741
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Avg Rating
6.1
out of 10
Schools
11
6 elem, 1 mid, 3 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,741
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Evaluating Salem?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Salem as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Bates
Salem · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Bentley Academy Innovation School
Salem · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Salem High
Salem · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
Massachusetts rank
#139 of 236
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Massachusetts avg
Per-pupil spending
$26,741
+$5,370 vs Massachusetts median
District size
3,811 students
Larger than Massachusetts median
The short answer
Salem ranks #139 of 236 Massachusetts districts by overall school rating. Salem's schools with real test data average 6.2/10 across 9 schools. Its top-rated schools are Bates (8.4/10), Bentley Academy Innovation School (7.5/10), and Salem High (7.3/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Salem
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (9 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bates | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Bentley Academy Innovation School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Salem High | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Witchcraft Heights | 7.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Carlton | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | New Liberty Innovation School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Collins Middle | 5.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Saltonstall School | 4.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Horace Mann Laboratory | 3.4 / 10 |
See all 11 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Salem
Salem is a Salem, Massachusetts school district serving 11 schools. The district educates 3,811 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1. The district invests $26,741 per student annually.
With an average rating of 6.1/10, Salem demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Bates, which has a composite score of 8.4/10.
In standardized testing, Salem students show an average math proficiency of 31.2% and ELA proficiency of 39.3%.
The district includes 6 elementary schools , 1 middle school , and 3 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Salem, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Salem with test data.
Schools in Salem
11 schools Elementary Schools 6
Middle Schools 1
Other Schools 1
District Details
- State
- Massachusetts
- City
- Salem
- Total Enrollment
- 3,811
- Teachers (FTE)
- 357
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Salem?
Salem has 11 schools in total — 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Salem?
The average composite rating for Salem is 6.1/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Salem?
Salem spends $26,741 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Salem?
The average student-teacher ratio in Salem is 10.7:1.
What is the top-rated school in Salem?
Bates is the highest-rated school in Salem with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What are the test scores in Salem?
Across schools in Salem with test data, the average math proficiency is 31.2% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 39.3%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Salem compare to other districts in Massachusetts?
Salem has an average school rating of 6.1/10 across 11 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Massachusetts by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.1/10
- Math Proficiency
- 31.2%
- ELA Proficiency
- 39.3%
Resources
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 rateOther School Districts in MA
Compare Salem with neighboring districts in the state.
- Boston (109)
- Springfield (66)
- Worcester (45)
- Lowell (27)
- Lynn (27)
- Lawrence (26)
- Brockton (24)
- New Bedford (24)
- Newton (22)
- Quincy (19)
- Fall River (18)
- Cambridge (17)
- Haverhill (16)
- Chicopee (15)
- Framingham (14)
- Pittsfield (14)
- Brookline (13)
- Leominster (13)
- Plymouth (13)
- Taunton (13)
- Wachusett (13)
- Attleboro (12)
- Westfield (12)
- Arlington (11)
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.
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