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Salem Common Historic DistrictSalem Common Historic District · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0
B+
Schools in Salem · Salem School District

Salem’s public schools outscore 70% of New Hampshire districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Salem, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Salem’s districts is 46%, above the New Hampshire average (40%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New Hampshire, not nationally.

#34of 126 New Hampshire townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New Hampshire state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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
54%
▲ 3 pts vs NH 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
46%
▲ 6 pts vs NH 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
96%
▲ 8 pts vs NH 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$20.9K
▼ 10% vs NH $23.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.4
NH 11.2 · larger classes
Schools in town
14
3,557 students on the public path
In brief

Salem’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 153 New Hampshire towns with household incomes within a quarter of Salem’s, its schools beat 77%, higher than their 70% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 54% and math 46% in spring 2022, against 51% and 40% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $20,915 per student, against $23,296 across New Hampshire (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Woodbury School, then Salem High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

The Birches Academy of Academics - Art A Public Charter Sch, Arts Academy of New Hampshire Chartered Public High School, St. Joseph Regional Catholic School (private), Merrimack Valley Montessori School (private), Patsy's House Daycare & Learning Center (private) and Salem Kid Start Kindergarten (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Salem’s grade

B Test scoresA− Graduation

B+: better than 70% of New Hampshire school districts, #34 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New Hampshire average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

New Hampshire school districts we grade (172)Better than 70%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Hampshire towns with similar household incomes (153)Better than 77%
Towns in Rockingham County (34)Better than 47%
B+A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,777 test results and a graduating class of 292 could put Salem anywhere from B+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Salem’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,779 in math, 1,775 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
K–55 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB− to A
6–8Woodbury SchoolSalem School DistrictB+
9–12Salem High SchoolSalem School DistrictB+

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.

Salem School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 8 schools · 3,557 students, up 1% since 2020–21 · 12.4 per teacher (NH 11.2)
$20,915NH $23,296 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading54%
State average 50.8% · 1775 students tested
Math46%
State average 40.5% · 1779 students tested

Salem vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SalemB+Salem
AtkinsonBTimberlane Regional
WindhamAWindham
PelhamB+Pelham
DerryCDerry

Methuen, MA borders Salem but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.

Every school in Salem

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

District schools in Salemby address
Salem Preschool
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
113 students23:1Rate it →
William T. Barron Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
377 students14:1Rate it →
North Salem Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
B+
353 students14:1Rate it →
William E. Lancaster School
Elementary · Grades K–5
B
294 students13:1Rate it →
Mary A. Fisk Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
272 students12:1Rate it →
Dr. L. F. Soule School
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
270 students12:1Rate it →
Woodbury School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B+
762 students13:1Rate it →
Salem High School
High · Grades 9–12
B+
1,116 students11:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
The Birches Academy of Academics - Art A Public Charter Sch
Elementary · Grades K–8
A
Charter
286 students13:1Rate it →
Arts Academy of New Hampshire Chartered Public High School
High · Grades 9–12
C+
Charter
106 students10:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Joseph Regional Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
208 students20:1Rate it →
Merrimack Valley Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
56 studentsRate it →
Patsy's House Daycare & Learning Center
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
28 students15:1Rate it →
Salem Kid Start Kindergarten
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Religious
25 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Salem’s schools

Are Salem’s schools good?

By New Hampshire’s own tests, yes: the public schools Salem children attend outscore 70% of New Hampshire’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #34 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 77%. 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 3,557 students in 8 schools (2024–25).

Where do Salem kids go to high school?

Salem High School, with 1,116 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Salem’s graduation rate?

96% of the class of 2023 in Salem School District graduated in four years, against 88% across New Hampshire.

How much does Salem spend per student?

$20,915 in Salem School District (FY2024), against $23,296 across New Hampshire. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Salem?

Yes: St. Joseph Regional Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 208 students), Merrimack Valley Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 56 students), Patsy's House Daycare & Learning Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 28 students) and Salem Kid Start Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 25 students). Salem also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.

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 New Hampshire. Stars are from neighbors.