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 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,811 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 47% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MA)
# Schools
11 Schools
1,837 Schools
# Students
3,811 Students
916,334 Students
# Teachers
357 Teachers
77,716 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Salem School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 393 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%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
44%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
44%
Graduation Rate
83%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.63
0.65
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
3%
7%
% Hispanic
47%
25%
% Black
8%
10%
% White
38%
53%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $25,775 is higher than the state median of $23,845. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $26,712 is higher than the state median of $24,602. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$98 MM
$21,850 MM
Spending
$102 MM
$22,544 MM
Revenue / Student
$25,775
$23,845
Spending / Student
$26,712
$24,602
Best Salem School District Public Schools (2025)
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 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
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: 8-12 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
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 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
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 | 948 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
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 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
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 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
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 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
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 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
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 | 307 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: K-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
25 Memorial Drive
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1221
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1221
Gr: PK | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Salem School District?
Salem School District manages 11 public schools serving 3,811 students.
What is the rank of Salem School District?
Salem School District is ranked #352 out of 393 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?
47% of Salem School District students are Hispanic, 38% of students are White, 8% of students are Black, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Salem School District?
Salem School District has a student/teacher ratio of 11:1, which is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 12:1.
What is Salem School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $26,712 is higher than the state median of $24,602. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
