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Washington County Courthouse, SalemPhoto: Nyttend · Public domain
C
Schools in Salem · Salem Community Schools

Salem’s public schools score below 66% of Indiana districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Salem’s districts is 27%, below the Indiana 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 Indiana, not nationally.

#502of 592 Indiana townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Indiana 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
34%
▼ 7 pts vs IN 41%
2021–22
Math proficiency
27%
▼ 10 pts vs IN 38%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 1–3 pts vs IN 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.8K
▼ 7% vs IN $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.2
IN 15.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
1,592 students on the public path
In brief

Salem’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 794 Indiana towns with household incomes within a quarter of Salem’s, its schools beat 13%, lower than their 34% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 34% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 41% and 38% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Indiana (the state reports Salem’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,779 per student, against $13,688 across Indiana (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Salem Middle School, then Salem High School. Enrollment is down 10% 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

C Test scoresC− Graduation

C: better than 34% of Indiana school districts, #502 of 592 Indiana towns. Both inputs trail the Indiana average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Indiana school districts we grade (396)Better than 34%
Lower resultsHigher results
Indiana towns with similar household incomes (794)Better than 13%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 906 test results and a graduating class of 129 could put Salem anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Salem’s students in the tested grades sat them (908 in math, 905 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
PK–5Bradie Shrum ElementarySalem Community SchoolsC
6–8Salem Middle SchoolSalem Community SchoolsC−
9–12Salem High SchoolSalem Community SchoolsB

Salem’s public schools are run by Salem Community Schools, which also serves Gibson, Jefferson, Little York and Monroe and others. 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.

Salem Community SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,592 students, down 10% since 2020–21 · 12.2 per teacher (IN 15.3)
$12,779IN $13,688 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading34%
State average 41.3% · 905 students tested
Math27%
State average 37.5% · 908 students tested

Salem vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SalemCSalem

Every school in Salem

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

Also serving Salemin other towns
Bradie Shrum Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
748 students13:1Rate it →
Salem Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
352 students11:1Rate it →
Salem High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
492 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Salem’s schools

Are Salem’s schools good?

On Indiana’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Salem children attend score below 66% of Indiana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #502 of 592 Indiana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 13%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Salem in?

Salem Community Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,592 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Salem kids go to high school?

Salem High School, with 492 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Salem’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Salem Community Schools graduated in four years, against 88% across Indiana.

How much does Salem spend per student?

$12,779 in Salem Community Schools (FY2024), against $13,688 across Indiana. 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 Indiana. Stars are from neighbors.