Very Good
#334 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 19% in state
Bates
Elementary School · Salem
53 Liberty Hill Avenue, Salem, MA 01970
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salem
#1 of 11
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#209 of 1,022
In district
#1 of 10
Salem
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Bates
Bates is an elementary school located in Salem, Massachusetts, nestled in a large suburban area at 53 Liberty Hill Avenue. Serving preschool through fifth grade, Bates has a total enrollment of 397 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Bates is 5.5 out of 10, placing it in the 52nd percentile among schools in Massachusetts.
In terms of academic performance, 34% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math, while 42% meet proficiency standards in Science. These scores indicate that Bates is focusing on student development with room for academic growth across all subjects. Bates is situated in a vibrant suburban setting where families can take advantage of local parks, libraries, and community centers to supplement the educational experience beyond the classroom walls.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Bates — Students at Bates score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 60 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.
How Bates Compares
See how Bates performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
53 Liberty Hill Avenue, Salem, MA 01970
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bates may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ayers/Ryal Side School (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Beverly), with a very similar rating. Another option is Bentley Academy Innovation School (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Witchcraft Heights (rated 6.6/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Carroll Peabody | 0.6 mi | 3.1 |
| BISHOP FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL Peabody | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| THE PHOENIX SCHOOL Salem | 1.0 mi | — |
| Carlton Salem | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Salem Prep High School Salem | 1.1 mi | — |
| New Liberty Innovation School Salem | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Collins Middle Salem | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Witchcraft Heights Salem | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Ayers/Ryal Side School Beverly | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Peabody Personalized Remote Education Program Peabody | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Salem Academy Charter School Salem | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Saltonstall School Salem | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| BEVERLY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Beverly | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Salem Early Childhood Salem | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Bentley Academy Innovation School Salem | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Peabody | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Horace Mann Laboratory Salem | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Salem High Salem | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| William A Welch Sr Peabody | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Riverside Danvers | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01970 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,189
Median Home Value
$497,500
Median Rent
$1,800/mo
Population
44,115
College Educated
49.7%
Homeownership
51.3%
Avg Commute
29.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bates has a median household income of $85,189. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $497,500, with a median rent of $1,800/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Academy Avenue Weymouth, MA | 7.7 |
| Acushnet Elementary School Acushnet, MA | 7.7 |
| Adams Elementary School East Boston, MA | 7.7 |
| Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori Magnet School Springfield, MA | 7.7 |
| Burke/Memorial Elementary School Medway, MA | 7.7 |
| Chandler Magnet Worcester, MA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bates
What grades does Bates serve?
Bates serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bates?
Bates has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bates?
The student-teacher ratio at Bates is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bates rank in MA?
Bates is ranked #334 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Bates's MySchoolScout rating?
Bates has a composite rating of 7.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bates?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bates has 34.0% math proficiency and 33.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bates a charter school?
No, Bates is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bates a Title I school?
No, Bates is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 41 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 22 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 61 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,706/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salem). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 397
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (978) 740-1250
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Salem- District Enrollment
- 3,811
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,741
- District Rank
- #1 of 10
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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