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 school year, there are 4 public preschools serving 1,095 students in Salem School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Massachusetts.
Public Preschools in Salem School District have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the Massachusetts public pre school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 24% (versus the 37% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public preschool average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MA)
# Schools
11 Schools
568 Schools
# Students
3,831 Students
205,107 Students
# Teachers
329 Teachers
17,560 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%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
44%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
44%
Graduation Rate
83%
90%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)25%
22.8%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.63
0.68
% American Indian
1%
n/a
% Asian
2%
6%
% Hispanic
48%
31%
% Black
7%
13%
% White
38%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $25,640 is higher than the state median of $23,855. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $26,572 is higher than the state median of $24,613. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$98 MM
$21,850 MM
Spending
$102 MM
$22,544 MM
Revenue / Student
$25,640
$23,855
Spending / Student
$26,572
$24,613
Best Salem School District Public Preschools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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%
Recent Articles
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.
