Photo: Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0Salem’s public schools score below 88% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Salem’s districts is 20%, below the Massachusetts average (41%). 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 Massachusetts, not nationally.
From Massachusetts state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 27% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $27,232 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then two middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Salem Academy Charter School and The Phoenix School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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
D: better than 12% of Massachusetts school districts, #262 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Both inputs trail the Massachusetts average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Salem, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Salem · depends on your address
Collins Middle
Grades 6–8 · 611 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Saltonstall School
Grades K–8 · 412 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Salem · depends on your address
Collins Middle
Grades 6–8 · 611 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Saltonstall School
Grades K–8 · 412 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Salem · depends on your address
Collins Middle
Grades 6–8 · 611 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Saltonstall School
Grades K–8 · 412 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Salem · depends on your address
Salem High
Grades 9–12 · 952 students · 10:1 students per teacher
New Liberty Innovation School
Grades 9–12 · 36 students · 8:1 students per teacher
Salem Prep High School
Grades 9–12 · 23 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Salem · depends on your address
Salem High
Grades 9–12 · 952 students · 10:1 students per teacher
New Liberty Innovation School
Grades 9–12 · 36 students · 8:1 students per teacher
Salem Prep High School
Grades 9–12 · 23 students · 12:1 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 below the state in reading
Salem vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Salem’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Salem | D | Salem |
| Beverly | B− | Beverly |
| Marblehead | A− | Marblehead |
| Peabody | C− | Peabody |
| Danvers | B− | Danvers |
| Swampscott | B | Swampscott |
Every school in Salem
13 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Massachusetts’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Salem’s schools
Are Salem’s schools good?
On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Salem children attend score below 88% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #262 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 8%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Salem in?
Salem School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,831 students in 11 schools (2024–25).
Where do Salem kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Salem High, New Liberty Innovation School and Salem Prep High School.
What is Salem’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Salem School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Salem spend per student?
$27,232 in Salem School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Salem?
Yes: The Phoenix School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 28 students). Salem also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
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 Massachusetts. Stars are from neighbors.