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
Enrollment
2,299
Student-Teacher
23:1
Score
2.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
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 metricsView breakdown
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Mckay High School — Students at Mckay High School score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 5 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 6% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 12.3% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (503) 399-3080
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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