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
Enrollment
2,310
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
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
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South Salem High School — Students at South Salem High School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 1.5/10.
How South Salem High School Compares
See how South Salem High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 6.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 35.5% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (503) 399-3252
- 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
- #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 methodologyRelated reading
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