Top Rankings
Salem School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,831 students in Salem School District. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Massachusetts.
Public Schools in Salem School District have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the Massachusetts public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public school average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MA)
# Schools
11 Schools
1,823 Schools
# Students
3,831 Students
915,717 Students
# Teachers
329 Teachers
77,162 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Salem School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 391 school districts in Massachusetts (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 83% has increased from 82% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#354 out of 395 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
42%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
44%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
44%
Graduation Rate
83%
89.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)25%
22.8%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.63
0.66
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
1%
n/a
% Asian
2%
8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
48%
26%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
7%
10%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
38%
51%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $28,120 is higher than the state median of $25,203. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $29,517 is higher than the state median of $27,530. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$108 MM
$23,079 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$113 MM
$25,209 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$28,120
$25,203
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$29,517
$27,530
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Salem School District Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
New Liberty Innovation School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2 East India Square, Suite 200
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 825-3470
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 825-3470
Gr: 9-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Salem Prep High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2 Museum Place Mall, 2nd Floor
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1171
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1171
Gr: 9-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Carlton
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
10 Skerry Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1280
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1280
Gr: K-5 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #44.
Salem High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
77 Willson Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1123
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1123
Gr: 9-12 | 952 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #55.
Bates
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
53 Liberty Hill Avenue
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1250
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1250
Gr: PK-5 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #66.
Saltonstall School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
211 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1297
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1297
Gr: K-8 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #77.
Witchcraft Heights
(Math: 24% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1 Frederick Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1271
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1271
Gr: K-5 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Collins Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
29 Highland Avenue
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1191
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1191
Gr: 6-8 | 611 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Horace Mann Laboratory
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
79 Willson Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1290
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1290
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1010.
Bentley Academy Innovation School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
25 Memorial Drive
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1260
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1260
Gr: PK-5 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
25 Memorial Drive
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1221
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1221
Gr: PK | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Salem School District?
Salem School District manages 11 public schools serving 3,831 students.
What is the rank of Salem School District?
Salem School District is ranked #350 out of 391 school districts in Massachusetts (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Massachusetts school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Salem School District?
48% of Salem School District students are Hispanic, 38% of students are White, 7% of students are Black, 4% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Salem School District?
Salem School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is equal to the Massachusetts state average of 12:1.
What is Salem School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $29,517 is higher than the state median of $27,530. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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