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Dent County CourthouseDent County Courthouse · Photo: Kbh3rd · CC BY 4.0
C+
Schools in Salem · Salem R-80 School District

Salem’s public schools score below 58% of Missouri districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Salem, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Salem, 34% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Missouri average (39%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Missouri, not nationally.

#175of 247 Missouri townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Missouri 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
42%
▼ 1 pts vs MO 43%
2021–22
Math proficiency
34%
▼ 5 pts vs MO 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 0–4 pts vs MO 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$9.9K
▼ 32% vs MO $14.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.4
MO 12.8 · larger classes
Schools in town
5
1,452 students on the public path
In brief

Salem’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 42% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 43% and 39% 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 89% across Missouri (the state reports Salem’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending, and where it came from

The district spent $9,875 per student in FY2024, against $14,569 across Missouri. 23% of its revenue that year was federal (Missouri 11%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 2 the district’s path is Salem Upper Elem., then Salem Middle School, then Salem SR. High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

I Can Too Learning Center (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Salem’s grade

B− Test scoresC− Graduation

C+: better than 42% of Missouri school districts, #175 of 247 Missouri towns. Both inputs trail the Missouri average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Missouri school districts we grade (535)Better than 42%
Lower resultsHigher results
Missouri towns with similar household incomes (463)Better than 40%
CBA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 632 test results and a graduating class of 126 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 (622 in math, 643 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–1WM. H. Lynch Elem.Salem R-80 School DistrictNo scores
2–5Salem Upper Elem.Salem R-80 School DistrictC
6–8Salem Middle SchoolSalem R-80 School DistrictC+
9–12Salem SR. HighSalem R-80 School DistrictC−

Salem’s public schools are run by Salem R-80 School District. Parts of Salem (5% of its land) are served by Dent-Phelps R-III 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.

Salem R-80 School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,452 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 14.4 per teacher (MO 12.8)
$9,875MO $14,569 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading42%
State average 43.2% · 643 students tested
Math34%
State average 39.2% · 622 students tested
A note on the data.In FY2024, 23% of the Salem district’s revenue came from the federal government, against 11% across Missouri, in the last year of federal pandemic relief; spending per student is reported as published.

Salem vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SalemC+Salem R-80

Every school in Salem

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

District schools in Salemby address
WM. H. Lynch Elem.
Elementary · Grades PK–1
257 students15:1Rate it →
Salem Upper Elem.
Elementary · Grades 2–5
C
335 students13:1Rate it →
Salem Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
254 students14:1Rate it →
Salem SR. High
High · Grades 9–12
C−
606 students15:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
I Can Too Learning Center
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Nonsectarian
142 studentsRate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Ozark Hills School).

Questions about Salem’s schools

Are Salem’s schools good?

On Missouri’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Salem children attend score below 58% of Missouri’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #175 of 247 Missouri towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 40%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Salem in?

Salem R-80 School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,452 students in 4 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Salem are served by Dent-Phelps R-III.

Where do Salem kids go to high school?

Salem SR. High, with 606 students; its own test results earn a C−.

What is Salem’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Salem R-80 School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.

How much does Salem spend per student?

$9,875 in Salem R-80 School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Salem?

Yes: I Can Too Learning Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 142 students).

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 Missouri. Stars are from neighbors.