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Average

#771 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 43% in state

Salem High

High School · Salem

77 Willson Street, Salem, MA 01970

Enrollment

948

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#6 of 11

public schools

Massachusetts high schools

#169 of 366

In district

#5 of 10

Salem

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Salem High

Salem High serves 948 students in grades 9-12 with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1 and 100 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 44th percentile among Massachusetts high schools, with room for academic growth as it works to support student development across all subjects. Current academic performance shows 42% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while 27% reach proficiency in mathematics.

The school's dedicated teaching staff focuses on helping students build essential skills in a supportive learning environment. Located at 77 Willson Street in Essex County, Salem High draws from a diverse community where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of economic backgrounds, with a median household income of $79,267 and median home values around $464,600.

About 14% of local families experience poverty, creating opportunities for the school to serve students from varied socioeconomic circumstances. Salem High operates within Massachusetts's large suburban setting, where the school community benefits from both urban amenities and suburban stability. The historic city of Salem, with its population of over 44,000 residents in the immediate area, provides students with rich cultural and educational resources beyond the classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Salem High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,931

Salem High — Students at Salem High score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 36.8%
School
State
52.0%
ELA Proficiency 47.3%
School
State
59.6%

Based on 22 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
47%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
27.5%
ELA
41%
2023
Math
28%
ELA
38%
2024
Math
45%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
45%
ELA
47%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Salem High Compares

See how Salem High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
57th percentile in MA
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Location

77 Willson Street, Salem, MA 01970

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salem High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Swampscott High (rated 7.6/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Swampscott), which scores slightly higher. Another option is New Liberty Innovation School (rated 6.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Salem Academy Charter School (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Horace Mann Laboratory Salem 0.1 mi 4.3
Collins Middle Salem 0.6 mi 4.8
Witchcraft Heights Salem 0.8 mi 6.6
THE PHOENIX SCHOOL Salem 1.0 mi
Saltonstall School Salem 1.1 mi 4.9
William A Welch Sr Peabody 1.3 mi 4.3
New Liberty Innovation School Salem 1.4 mi 6.9
Salem Prep High School Salem 1.4 mi
Salem Academy Charter School Salem 1.4 mi 6.8
Peabody Personalized Remote Education Program Peabody 1.7 mi 4.3
Thomas Carroll Peabody 1.8 mi 3.1
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Peabody 1.7 mi 5.8
Swampscott High Swampscott 1.9 mi 7.6
Bates Salem 2.0 mi 7.7
CHILDRENS WORKSHOP MONTESSORI Marblehead 1.6 mi
CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP MONTESSORI Marblehead 1.6 mi
Clarke Swampscott 2.2 mi 5.4
Carlton Salem 2.0 mi 5.8
Swampscott Middle Swampscott 2.3 mi 6.1
BISHOP FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL Peabody 2.3 mi 5.3

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 Salem High 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
Apponequet Regional High Lakeville, MA 6.6
North Middlesex Regional Townsend, MA 6.6
Sandwich Middle High School East Sandwich, MA 6.6
Somerset Berkley Regional High School Somerset, MA 6.6
Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School Charlton, MA 6.5
Bellingham High School Bellingham, MA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salem High

What grades does Salem High serve?

Salem High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Salem High?

Salem High has an enrollment of approximately 948 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Salem High?

The student-teacher ratio at Salem High is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salem High rank in MA?

Salem High is ranked #771 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Salem High's MySchoolScout rating?

Salem High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Salem High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salem High has 36.8% math proficiency and 47.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Salem High a charter school?

No, Salem High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Salem High a Title I school?

No, Salem High is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,706/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salem). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
948
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
100
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Salem
District Enrollment
3,811
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,741
District Rank
#5 of 10

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 methodology

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