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Average

#938 of 1,226 schools in OR

Walker Middle School

Middle School · Salem-Keizer SD 24J

1075 8th St NW, Salem, OR 97304

Enrollment

581

Student-Teacher

22.3:1

Score

5.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#28 of 57

public schools

Oregon middle schools

#146 of 207

In district

#28 of 65

Salem-Keizer SD 24J

Equity

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Walker Middle School

Walker Middle School in Salem, Oregon is a regular public school serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 581 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.3:1, Walker provides a supportive learning environment with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in the heart of Salem, this mid-size city setting offers a diverse mix of urban and suburban influences.

Walker Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and is ranked 590th out of 1231 schools in Oregon, placing it at the 52nd percentile statewide. Academically, students perform around average with 53% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 38% proficiency or above in Math. While there's room for improvement, Walker focuses on student development through a range of programs designed to support each learner.

Salem’s vibrant community surrounds the school, providing numerous opportunities for extracurricular activities and cultural enrichment. Walker Middle School is an integral part of this thriving mid-size city environment.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Walker Middle School is 22.3:1, 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49%
Math vs. State Avg-1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment3.3Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,604

Walker Middle School — Students at Walker Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above 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 37.9%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 53.0%
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
51%
ELA
63%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
30.8%
ELA
49%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.

How Walker Middle School Compares

See how Walker Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in OR
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

1075 8th St NW, Salem, OR 97304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walker Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Howard Street Charter (rated 5.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Parrish Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Straub Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Harritt Elementary School Salem 1.2 mi 4.2
Myers Elementary School Salem 0.9 mi 8.1
Chapman Hill Elementary School Salem 1.0 mi 5.0
Straub Middle School Salem 1.3 mi 4.9
CAPITAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salem 1.1 mi 4.5
Kalapuya Elementary School Salem 1.4 mi 4.8
RIVIERA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salem 1.7 mi 4.8
West Salem High School Salem 1.4 mi 5.0
Howard Street Charter Salem 1.3 mi 5.7
LITTLE FRIENDS MONTESSORI Salem 1.4 mi 7.5
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Salem 1.4 mi 7.8
Brush College Elementary School Salem 1.9 mi 8.0
South Salem High School Salem 2.0 mi 4.8
Grant Community School Salem 1.6 mi 6.6
Highland Elementary School Salem 1.8 mi 5.8
Candalaria Elementary School Salem 2.4 mi 6.5
McKinley Elementary School Salem 2.3 mi 4.3
Parrish Middle School Salem 1.7 mi 5.5
ST JOHN LUTHERAN PREKINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN Salem 1.9 mi
Bush Elementary School Salem 1.9 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,731

Median Home Value

$469,500

Median Rent

$1,441/mo

Population

34,846

College Educated

39.4%

Homeownership

64.7%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Walker Middle School has a median household income of $91,731. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $469,500, with a median rent of $1,441/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Hauton B Lee Middle School Portland, OR 5.2
J W Poynter Middle School Hillsboro, OR 5.2
Sunridge Middle School Pendleton, OR 5.2
Memorial Middle School Albany, OR 5.3
R A Brown Middle School Hillsboro, OR 5.3
Cedar Park Middle School Portland, OR 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Walker Middle School

What grades does Walker Middle School serve?

Walker Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Walker Middle School?

Walker Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Walker Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Walker Middle School is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Walker Middle School rank in OR?

Walker Middle School is ranked #938 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Walker Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Walker Middle School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Walker Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walker Middle School has 37.9% math proficiency and 53.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Walker Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Walker Middle School a Title I school?

No, Walker Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walker Middle School?

66.8% of students at Walker Middle 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

City Safety
High (3,397/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salem). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Polk 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
#28 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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