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Needs Improvement

#1222 of 1,226 schools in OR

Mckay High School

High School · Salem-Keizer SD 24J

2440 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97305

Enrollment

2,299

Student-Teacher

23:1

Score

2.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#57 of 57

public schools

Oregon high schools

#249 of 250

In district

#65 of 65

Salem-Keizer SD 24J

About Mckay High School

McKay High School serves 2,299 students in grades 9-12 in Salem, Oregon, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 100 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 23:1 student-teacher ratio as it works to support its diverse student body. Academically, McKay faces significant challenges with room for substantial growth.

The school's test scores show 21% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts, while 6% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results place McKay among Oregon's schools with the greatest need for academic improvement, ranking near the bottom statewide at #1227 out of 1231 high schools. The school draws from a working-class community where the median household income is $65,299 and 17% of families live below the poverty line.

Only 14% of adults in the area hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the socioeconomic challenges many students face. Despite these obstacles, McKay continues its mission to educate and support students from all backgrounds. Located on Lancaster Drive in Salem's mid-size city environment, McKay High School sits within a neighborhood where median home values reach $314,800, serving a community of nearly 45,000 residents who rely on the school as an important local institution.

What's said publicly about Mckay High School

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

McKay High School is part of the Salem-Keizer school district, where no-cost meals are scheduled to continue through 2030 1 . The school offers the AVID program to support students with college preparation and provides regular updates for seniors and families regarding key events and timelines 1 . Recent school news highlights include a focus on empowering female leaders through the Royal Scots group and recognition of student Moises Garcia Garcia for leadership and dedication in culinary arts 1 . The school also hosts community events such as the McKay Multicultural-Fest and maintains a schedule for athletic activities, including football and basketball tournaments 1 . Official school and district report cards have been made available to the public 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. mckay.salkeiz.k12.or.us
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Mckay High School is a large school with 2,299 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Mckay High School is 23:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.81 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.5Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12.3%
Reading vs. State Avg-30.7 pts
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-23.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,604

Mckay High School — Students at Mckay High School score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.1%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 5 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
29%
ELA
60%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
21%
2025
ELA
12.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.3/10.

How Mckay High School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.4/10
0th percentile in OR
Academic
1.5/10
1.5/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
100 teachers

Location

2440 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97305

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mckay High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Early College High School (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLANCHET CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Roberts High School (rated 6.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
BLANCHET CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salem 0.4 mi 7.8
Swegle Elementary School Salem 0.5 mi 5.3
Scott Elementary School Salem 0.9 mi 6.2
Early College High School Salem 1.2 mi 8.1
Cesar E Chavez Elementary Salem 0.9 mi 4.5
Waldo Middle School Salem 1.0 mi 5.5
Washington Elementary School Salem 1.0 mi 4.0
Hoover Elementary School Salem 1.2 mi 6.6
Auburn Elementary School Salem 1.5 mi 4.2
Hallman Elementary School Salem 1.6 mi 4.5
Hayesville Elementary School Salem 1.8 mi 5.1
Lamb Elementary School Salem 1.6 mi 4.7
Roberts High School Salem 2.1 mi 6.0
Yoshikai Elementary School Salem 2.1 mi 5.5
Englewood Elementary School Salem 1.7 mi 4.8
Four Corners Elementary School Salem 2.4 mi 5.2
Stephens Middle School Salem 2.5 mi 3.5
LIVINGSTONE ADVENTIST ACADEMY Salem 2.1 mi 7.8
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Salem 2.0 mi 4.7
Houck Middle School Salem 2.9 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97305 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,581

Median Home Value

$339,100

Median Rent

$1,386/mo

Population

45,044

College Educated

16.4%

Homeownership

52.4%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

19.8%

Median Age

31.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mckay High School has a median household income of $64,581. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $339,100, with a median rent of $1,386/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.8%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Sandy High School Sandy, OR 2.5
Adrienne C. Nelson High School Happy Valley, OR 3.1
Centennial High School Gresham, OR 3.3
Canby High School Canby, OR 3.6
South Albany High School Albany, OR 3.8
Woodburn High School Woodburn, OR

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mckay High School

What grades does Mckay High School serve?

Mckay High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mckay High School?

Mckay High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,299 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mckay High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mckay High School is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mckay High School rank in OR?

Mckay High School is ranked #1222 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Mckay High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mckay High School has a composite rating of 2.4 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 Mckay High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mckay High School has 17.5% math proficiency and 31.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mckay High School a charter school?

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

Is Mckay High School a Title I school?

No, Mckay High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mckay High School?

67.8% of students at Mckay High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
73 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,397/100K)

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
2,299
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
Teachers (FTE)
100
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Salem-Keizer SD 24J
District Enrollment
38,818
Schools in District
65
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,770
District Rank
#65 of 65

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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