Photo: Paul Sableman from St. Louis, MO · CC BY 2.0Salem’s public schools outscore 69% of Illinois districts
In Salem, 41% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the Illinois average (30%). The grade covers the three public school districts 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 Illinois, not nationally.
From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all 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
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1253 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Salem’s, its schools beat 87%, higher than their 69% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 41% and math 23% across its districts in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Salem Community High School District 600 spends $12,301 per student and Salem School District 111 $13,355, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 9 the district’s path is Salem Community High School. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Salem’s grade
B+: better than 69% of Illinois school districts, #287 of 768 Illinois towns. Test scores are above the Illinois average; graduation is below it.
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 · depends on your address
Hawthorn Elem School
Grades K–3 · 421 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Selmaville Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 223 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Salem · depends on your address
Hawthorn Elem School
Grades K–3 · 421 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Selmaville Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 223 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Salem · depends on your address
Hawthorn Elem School
Grades K–3 · 421 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Selmaville Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 223 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Salem · depends on your address
Hawthorn Elem School
Grades K–3 · 421 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Selmaville Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 223 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Salem · depends on your address
Franklin Park Middle School
Grades 4–8 · 528 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Selmaville Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 223 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Salem · depends on your address
Franklin Park Middle School
Grades 4–8 · 528 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Selmaville Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 223 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Salem · depends on your address
Franklin Park Middle School
Grades 4–8 · 528 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Selmaville Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 223 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Salem · depends on your address
Franklin Park Middle School
Grades 4–8 · 528 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Selmaville Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 223 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Salem · depends on your address
Franklin Park Middle School
Grades 4–8 · 528 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Selmaville Elem School
Grades PK–8 · 223 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Salem
Salem Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 706 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Salem
Salem Community High School
Grades 9–12 · 706 students · 16:1 students per teacher
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Salem
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 Illinois towns that share Salem’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Salem | B+ | Selmaville Community Consolidated School District 10 PK–8 · Salem School District 111 K–8 · Salem Community High School District 600 9–12 |
Every school in Salem
3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Salem’s schools
Are Salem’s schools good?
By Illinois’s own tests, yes: the public schools Salem children attend outscore 69% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #287 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 87%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Salem in?
Salem Community High School District 600, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 706 students in 1 schools (2024–25).
Where do Salem kids go to high school?
Salem Community High School, with 706 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Salem’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Salem Community High School District 600 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Salem spend per student?
$12,301 in Salem Community High School District 600, $13,355 in Salem School District 111 and $15,827 in Selmaville Community Consolidated School District 10 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. 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 (2020–21, 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 Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.