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
Enrollment
948
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Salem High — Students at Salem High score 34% 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 22 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: 9.0/10.
How Salem High Compares
See how Salem High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (978) 740-1123
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Salem- District Enrollment
- 3,811
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,741
- District Rank
- #5 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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