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 7 public elementary schools serving 2,714 students in Salem School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Massachusetts.
Public Elementary Schools in Salem School District have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the Massachusetts public elementary school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 42% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public elementary school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MA)
# Schools
11 Schools
1,353 Schools
# Students
3,831 Students
604,692 Students
# Teachers
329 Teachers
51,091 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
0.67
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
1%
n/a
% Asian
2%
7%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
48%
27%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
7%
11%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
38%
50%
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 $25,197. 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 $27,523. 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
$25,197
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$29,517
$27,523
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Salem School District Public Elementary Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #77.
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%
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