Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0Salem’s public schools outscore 93% of Arkansas districts
On the state reading tests, 56% of Salem’s students scored proficient, above the Arkansas average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Salem, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arkansas, not nationally.
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.
Salem’s schools, in brief
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 56% and math 49% in spring 2022, against 40% and 38% statewide. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,855 per student, against $13,585 across Arkansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle school
From grade 7 the district’s path is Salem High School. 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.
What’s behind Salem’s grade
A: better than 93% of Arkansas school districts. Test scores are above the Arkansas average; there is no graduation rate to add.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Salem, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Salem
Salem Elementary School
Grades K–6 · 434 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Salem
Salem High School
Grades 7–12 · 376 students · 5:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Salem
Salem High School
Grades 7–12 · 376 students · 5:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Salem
Salem High School
Grades 7–12 · 376 students · 5:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Salem
Salem High School
Grades 7–12 · 376 students · 5:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Salem
Salem High School
Grades 7–12 · 376 students · 5:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Salem
Salem High School
Grades 7–12 · 376 students · 5:1 students per teacher
Salem’s public schools are run by Salem School District. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Salem vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arkansas towns that share Salem’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Salem | A | Salem |
Every school in Salem
2 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).
Questions about Salem’s schools
Are Salem’s schools good?
By Arkansas’s own tests, yes: the public schools Salem children attend outscore 93% of Arkansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 96%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Salem in?
Salem School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 810 students in 2 schools (2024–25).
How much does Salem spend per student?
$11,855 in Salem School District (FY2024), against $13,585 across Arkansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Salem families are saying about school.
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.