Average
#1114 of 1,791 schools in MA
Carlton
Elementary School · Salem
10 Skerry Street, Salem, MA 01970
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salem
#8 of 11
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#627 of 1,022
In district
#7 of 10
Salem
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Carlton
Carlton Elementary School is a regular public school nestled in the heart of Salem, Massachusetts. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Carlton has an enrollment of 254 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is within a large suburban area that offers both the amenities of city life and the comfort of residential neighborhoods.
Academically, Carlton Elementary School’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.4 out of 10, placing it around the median among Massachusetts public schools. Students perform with room for improvement in core subjects: 44% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 37% in Math, and 42% in Science. While the school has areas to focus on for academic growth, Carlton Elementary provides a supportive environment where students receive personalized attention from dedicated teachers.
The suburban setting around Skerry Street offers a blend of cultural richness and community engagement, making it an ideal place for young learners to thrive.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Carlton offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Carlton — Students at Carlton score 40% proficient, which is above 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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.1/10.
How Carlton Compares
See how Carlton performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
10 Skerry Street, Salem, MA 01970
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carlton 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), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bates (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bentley Academy Innovation School (rated 7.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Salem Prep High School Salem | 0.7 mi | — |
| New Liberty Innovation School Salem | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Salem Early Childhood Salem | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Bentley Academy Innovation School Salem | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Salem Academy Charter School Salem | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Bates Salem | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Saltonstall School Salem | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Ayers/Ryal Side School Beverly | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| MRS ALEXANDER'S SCHOOL Beverly | 1.3 mi | — |
| THE PHOENIX SCHOOL Salem | 1.3 mi | — |
| Collins Middle Salem | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| BEVERLY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Beverly | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Thomas Carroll Peabody | 1.4 mi | 3.1 |
| BISHOP FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL Peabody | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Horace Mann Laboratory Salem | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| McKeown School Beverly | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Salem High Salem | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Beverly Middle School Beverly | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Witchcraft Heights Salem | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Beverly High Beverly | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
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 Carlton 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 |
|---|---|
| Clara Barton Oxford, MA | 5.8 |
| Dennett Elementary Plympton, MA | 5.8 |
| Donald Ross Braintree, MA | 5.8 |
| Heath-Brook Tewksbury, MA | 5.8 |
| Hedge Plymouth, MA | 5.8 |
| John Ashley West Springfield, MA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carlton
What grades does Carlton serve?
Carlton serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Carlton?
Carlton has an enrollment of approximately 254 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carlton?
The student-teacher ratio at Carlton is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carlton rank in MA?
Carlton is ranked #1114 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Carlton's MySchoolScout rating?
Carlton has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Carlton?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carlton has 37.4% math proficiency and 45.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carlton a charter school?
No, Carlton is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carlton a Title I school?
No, Carlton is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,706/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salem). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 254
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (978) 740-1280
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Salem- District Enrollment
- 3,811
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,741
- District Rank
- #7 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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