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#991 of 1,226 schools in OR

North Salem High School

High School · Salem-Keizer SD 24J

765 14th St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Enrollment

2,176

Student-Teacher

20.5:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#31 of 57

public schools

Oregon high schools

#162 of 250

In district

#32 of 65

Salem-Keizer SD 24J

About North Salem High School

North Salem High School serves 2,176 students in grades 9-12 in Salem, Oregon, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 106 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive public high school. The school has significant room for academic growth, with 25% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and 9% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These results place North Salem in the lower tier of Oregon high schools, ranking in the 3rd percentile statewide. The school's challenges likely reflect broader socioeconomic factors in the surrounding community, where the median household income is $53,113 and about one in five residents lives below the poverty line. Despite academic hurdles, North Salem serves a substantial student body in Marion County's seat, drawing from a diverse community where 18% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The school's size allows it to offer comprehensive programming typical of large public high schools, though specific program details vary. North Salem High School sits in the heart of Oregon's capital city, serving families in an established mid-size urban community with a median home value of $274,900.

What Parents Should Know

North Salem High School is a large school with 2,176 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 North Salem High School is 20.5:1, 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 Progress2.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.7%
Math vs. State Avg-23.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.3 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.4%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,604

North Salem High School — Students at North Salem High School score 17% 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

67.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 37.9%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 6 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
28%
ELA
63%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
25%
2025
Math
8%
ELA
25.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.1/10.

How North Salem High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
19th percentile in OR
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
11.4% participation·769 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

765 14th St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Salem High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Eagle Charter School (rated 8.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LITTLE FRIENDS MONTESSORI (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Parrish Middle School Salem 0.2 mi 5.5
ST JOHN LUTHERAN PREKINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN Salem 0.5 mi
Grant Community School Salem 0.5 mi 6.6
Englewood Elementary School Salem 0.5 mi 4.8
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Salem 0.5 mi 7.8
Howard Street Charter Salem 0.5 mi 5.7
LITTLE FRIENDS MONTESSORI Salem 0.6 mi 7.5
Bush Elementary School Salem 0.9 mi 6.5
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Salem 1.0 mi 4.7
CAPITAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salem 0.8 mi 4.5
Highland Elementary School Salem 1.1 mi 5.8
Richmond Elementary School Salem 1.1 mi 6.7
Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School Salem 1.5 mi 6.4
Eagle Charter School Salem 1.5 mi 8.3
Oregon School for the Deaf Salem 1.5 mi 7.3
Hoover Elementary School Salem 1.3 mi 6.6
MONTESSORI DISCOVERY CENTER Salem 1.8 mi 7.5
Waldo Middle School Salem 1.6 mi 5.5
South Salem High School Salem 1.8 mi 4.8
Washington Elementary School Salem 1.8 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,497

Median Home Value

$310,800

Median Rent

$1,197/mo

Population

56,274

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

43.2%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

20.2%

Median Age

33.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Salem High School has a median household income of $57,497. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $310,800, with a median rent of $1,197/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
West Salem High School Salem, OR 5.0
Hermiston High School Hermiston, OR 5.2
Hillsboro High School Hillsboro, OR 5.2
Sam Barlow High School Gresham, OR 5.2
South Salem High School Salem, OR 4.8
Aloha High School Beaverton, OR 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Salem High School

What grades does North Salem High School serve?

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

How many students attend North Salem High School?

North Salem High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,176 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Salem High School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Salem High School is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Salem High School rank in OR?

North Salem High School is ranked #991 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is North Salem High School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Salem High School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 North Salem High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Salem High School has 15.0% math proficiency and 37.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Salem High School a charter school?

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

Is North Salem High School a Title I school?

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

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

67.7% of students at North Salem 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
67 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
86 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
2,176
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
106
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.7%
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
#32 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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