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Below Average

#1030 of 1,226 schools in OR

South Salem High School

High School · Salem-Keizer SD 24J

1910 Church St SE, Salem, OR 97302

Enrollment

2,310

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#38 of 57

public schools

Oregon high schools

#176 of 250

In district

#41 of 65

Salem-Keizer SD 24J

About South Salem High School

South Salem High School serves 2,310 students in grades 9-12 in Salem, Oregon, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 99 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.3 to 1, providing students with access to a substantial faculty despite the sizeable enrollment. The school is working on academic growth, with current proficiency rates of 37% in English Language Arts and 14% in mathematics.

While these scores indicate significant room for improvement, the school serves a diverse student population with varying academic needs and backgrounds. South Salem ranks in the 10th percentile among Oregon high schools, reflecting the ongoing challenges many large public schools face in supporting all students toward proficiency. The school is located in the 97302 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $80,439 and 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood has a relatively low poverty rate of 10.2% and median home values around $381,700, suggesting a stable middle-class community. South Salem High School sits in the heart of Oregon's capital city, providing students with access to internships, civic engagement opportunities, and cultural resources that come with an urban setting.

What's said publicly about South Salem High School

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

South Salem High School (SSHS) is a public high school located in Salem, Oregon 2 . The school was established in 1954, serving as the second public high school in the city 2 . Following the opening of South Salem High School, the institution previously known as Salem High School was renamed North Salem High School 2 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

South Salem High School is a large school with 2,310 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 South Salem High School is 23.3:1, 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 Progress1.5Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.5%
Math vs. State Avg-25.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,604

South Salem High School — Students at South Salem High School score 21% 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

66.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 19.8%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 48.8%
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
39%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
6.3%
ELA
35.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.5/10.

How South Salem High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in OR
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
99 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
·466 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

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

Location

1910 Church St SE, Salem, OR 97302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Salem High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI DISCOVERY CENTER (rated 7.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LITTLE FRIENDS MONTESSORI (rated 7.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
McKinley Elementary School Salem 0.4 mi 4.3
MONTESSORI DISCOVERY CENTER Salem 0.3 mi 7.5
Bush Elementary School Salem 1.0 mi 6.5
Morningside Elementary School Salem 1.3 mi 7.2
LITTLE FRIENDS MONTESSORI Salem 1.3 mi 7.5
Salem Heights Elementary School Salem 1.3 mi 3.9
Candalaria Elementary School Salem 1.1 mi 6.5
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Salem 1.4 mi 7.8
ST JOHN LUTHERAN PREKINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN Salem 1.3 mi
CAPITAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salem 1.6 mi 4.5
Howard Street Charter Salem 1.6 mi 5.7
Leslie Middle School Salem 1.7 mi 6.5
Wright Elementary School Salem 1.8 mi 4.3
Parrish Middle School Salem 1.8 mi 5.5
Richmond Elementary School Salem 1.4 mi 6.7
North Salem High School Salem 1.8 mi 5.0
QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salem 2.0 mi 6.0
Grant Community School Salem 2.0 mi 6.6
Walker Middle School Salem 2.0 mi 5.2
IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Salem 2.2 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,697

Median Home Value

$415,200

Median Rent

$1,230/mo

Population

40,954

College Educated

42.5%

Homeownership

61.2%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Salem High School has a median household income of $83,697. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $415,200, with a median rent of $1,230/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. 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
Gresham High School Gresham, OR 4.6
North Salem High School Salem, OR 5.0
Sprague High School Salem, OR 4.6
West Salem High School Salem, OR 5.0
Roseburg High School Roseburg, OR 4.5
Hermiston High School Hermiston, OR 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Salem High School

What grades does South Salem High School serve?

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

How many students attend South Salem High School?

South Salem High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,310 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Salem High School is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Salem High School rank in OR?

South Salem High School is ranked #1030 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is South Salem High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Salem High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 South Salem High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Salem High School has 19.8% math proficiency and 48.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Salem High School a charter school?

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

Is South Salem High School a Title I school?

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

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

66.8% of students at South 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
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
78 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
2,310
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
99
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.8%
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
#41 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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