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Downtown SalemPhoto: publichall · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Salem · McCook Central School District 43-7

Salem’s public schools score below 78% of South Dakota districts on tests and graduation

In Salem, 33% of tested students are proficient in math, below the South Dakota average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Salem, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Dakota, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From South Dakota 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%
▼ 9 pts vs SD 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▼ 9 pts vs SD 42%
2021–22
Spent per student
$11.6K
▼ 11% vs SD $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.1
SD 13.7 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
427 students on the public path
In brief

Salem’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 345 South Dakota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Salem’s, its schools beat 17%, lower than their 22% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 42% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 51% and 42% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,581 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (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 McCook Central Middle School - 03, then McCook Central High School - 01. Enrollment is up 7% 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 scores

C−: better than 22% of South Dakota school districts. Test scores are below the South Dakota average; there is no graduation rate to add.

South Dakota school districts we grade (147)Better than 22%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Dakota towns with similar household incomes (345)Better than 17%
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 210 test results could put Salem anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Salem’s students in the tested grades sat them (210 in math, 210 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–5McCook Central Elementary - 02McCook Central School District 43-7D
6–8McCook Central Middle School - 03McCook Central School District 43-7B
9–12McCook Central High School - 01McCook Central School District 43-7C

Salem’s public schools are run by McCook Central School District 43-7, which also serves Benton, Brookfield, Clarno and Emery 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.

McCook Central School District 43-7Grades PK–12 · 4 schools · 455 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 13.1 per teacher (SD 13.7)
$11,581SD $13,040 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading42%
State average 51% · 210 students tested
Math33%
State average 42.2% · 210 students tested

Salem vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SalemC−McCook Central School District 43-7

Every school in Salem

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

District schools in Salemby address
McCook Central Elementary - 02
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
225 students13:1Rate it →
McCook Central Middle School - 03
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
84 students13:1Rate it →
McCook Central High School - 01
High · Grades 9–12
C
118 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Salem’s schools

Are Salem’s schools good?

On South Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Salem children attend score below 78% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 17%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Salem in?

McCook Central School District 43-7, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 455 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Salem kids go to high school?

McCook Central High School - 01, with 118 students; its own test results earn a C.

How much does Salem spend per student?

$11,581 in McCook Central School District 43-7 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. 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 South Dakota. Stars are from neighbors.