Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Salem

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
A
Schools in Salem · Bryant Public Schools

Salem’s public schools outscore 85% of Arkansas districts

In Salem, 50% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Arkansas average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Salem, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arkansas, not nationally.

#19of 123 Arkansas townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Arkansas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
50%
▲ 10 pts vs AR 40%
2021–22
Math proficiency
50%
▲ 12 pts vs AR 38%
2021–22
Graduate on time
93%
▲ 3 pts vs AR 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.8K
▼ 13% vs AR $13.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.5
AR 12.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
4,374 students on the public path
In brief

Salem’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 50% and math 50% in spring 2022, against 40% and 38% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,826 per student, against $13,585 across Arkansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Salem’s grade

A Test scoresB+ Graduation

A: better than 85% of Arkansas school districts, #19 of 123 Arkansas towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Arkansas average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Arkansas school districts we grade (261)Better than 85%
Lower resultsHigher results
Arkansas towns with similar household incomes (169)Better than 85%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 6,058 test results and a graduating class of 695 could put Salem anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Salem’s students in the tested grades sat them (6,059 in math, 6,058 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Salem, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Salem Elementary SchoolBryant Public SchoolsA−
6–72 middle schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A
9–12Bryant High Schoolin BryantB+

Salem’s public schools are run by Bryant Public Schools, which also serves Alexander, Bauxite, Bryant and Shannon Hills. Parts of Salem (2% of its land) are served by Benton instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Bryant Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 12 schools · 9,827 students, up 5% since 2020–21 · 16.5 per teacher (AR 12.4)
$11,826AR $13,585 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading50%
State average 39.9% · 6058 students tested
Math50%
State average 38.3% · 6059 students tested

Salem vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Arkansas towns that share Salem’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SalemABryant
BentonABenton

Every school in Salem

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arkansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Salemby address
Salem Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Benton
A−
469 students16:1Rate it →
Also serving Salemin other towns
Bryant Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–7 · Bryant Ar
A−
774 students15:1Rate it →
Bethel Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–7 · Alexander
A
762 students18:1Rate it →
Bryant High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Bryant
B+
2,369 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Salem’s schools

Are Salem’s schools good?

By Arkansas’s own tests, yes: the public schools Salem children attend outscore 85% of Arkansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #19 of 123 Arkansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Salem in?

Bryant Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,827 students in 12 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Salem are served by Benton.

Where do Salem kids go to high school?

Bryant High School in Bryant, with 2,369 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Salem’s graduation rate?

93% of the class of 2023 in Bryant Public Schools graduated in four years, against 90% across Arkansas.

How much does Salem spend per student?

$11,826 in Bryant Public Schools (FY2024), against $13,585 across Arkansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Salem families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Salem → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arkansas. Stars are from neighbors.