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Buildings on Main Street, Salem, NYPhoto: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0
C+
Schools in Salem · Salem Central School District

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

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 New York, not nationally.

#459of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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
45%
▼ 4 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
46%
▼ 0 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–89%
▼ 2–7 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$27.1K
▼ 22% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
9.7
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
525 students on the public path
In brief

Salem’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 46% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York (the state reports Salem’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $27,073 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Salem High School. 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

B− Test scoresC− Graduation

C+: better than 42% of New York school districts, #459 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 42%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (1122)Better than 45%
Towns in Washington County (16)Better than 56%
C−B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 274 test results and a graduating class of 36 could put Salem anywhere from C− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Salem’s students in the tested grades sat them (277 in math, 270 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–6Salem Elementary SchoolSalem Central School DistrictC−
7–12Salem High SchoolSalem Central School DistrictB−

Salem’s public schools are run by Salem Central School District, which also serves Hebron and Jackson. Parts of Salem (17% of its land) are served by Cambridge Central 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 Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 525 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 9.7 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$27,073NY $34,607 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading45%
State average 48.9% · 270 students tested
Math46%
State average 46.5% · 277 students tested

Salem vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SalemC+Salem Central
JacksonB−Cambridge Central PK–12 · Salem Central PK–12
HebronCSalem Central PK–12 · Granville Central PK–12
GreenwichBGreenwich Central

2 of the 3 neighbors share Salem Central with Salem, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. Rupert, VT borders Salem but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.

Every school in Salem

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

District schools in Salemby address
Salem Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
C−
295 students11:1Rate it →
Salem High School
High · Grades 7–12
B−
230 students9:1Rate it →

Questions about Salem’s schools

Are Salem’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Salem children attend score below 58% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #459 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 45%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Salem in?

Salem Central School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 525 students in 2 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Salem are served by Cambridge Central.

What is Salem’s graduation rate?

80–89% of the class of 2023 in Salem Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Salem spend per student?

$27,073 in Salem Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. 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 New York. Stars are from neighbors.