Salem High

Summary:

Salem High is a public high school located in Salem, Massachusetts, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 888 students. The school has a diverse student population, with 38.06% White, 7.21% African American, 48.87% Hispanic, 2.48% Asian, and smaller percentages of Native American, Pacific Islander, and students of two or more races.

Salem High has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Massachusetts high schools, ranking between 201-301 out of 351 schools in recent years. It has a low 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating it is performing below average compared to other high schools in the state. The school's four-year graduation rate has ranged from 80.9% to 88.9% in recent years, which is lower than the state average, and its dropout rate has fluctuated from 3.3% to 9.5%, which is higher than the state average. Academically, Salem High's performance, as measured by MCAS test scores, is significantly below the state average in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science.

When compared to nearby schools, Swampscott High and Marblehead High generally perform better than Salem High, while Classical High and Fecteau-Leary Junior/Senior High School perform worse. Salem High's statewide ranking and academic performance have declined over the past decade, and the school faces significant disparities in outcomes for different student subgroups.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 77 Willson Street
       Salem, MA  01970


(978) 740-1123

District: Salem

SchoolDigger Rank:
201st of 348 Massachusetts High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $22,540 Help


Feeder schools for Salem High:

Elementary:    Bates
    Carlton
    Horace Mann Laboratory
    Saltonstall School
    More...
Middle:    Collins Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  8.5 Help
Number of students:  888

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
48.9%
White:
38.1%
African American:
7.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  59.9% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Salem High ranks worse than 57.8% of high schools in Massachusetts. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 47.52. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Salem High freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Salem High has the largest high school student body size in the Salem School District. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (48.9%), White (38.1%), African American (7.2%). (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Salem High is 8.5. 1 high schools in the Salem School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Salem High employs 104.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Salem High is $22,540, which is the lowest among 3 high schools in the Salem School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Salem High:

SchoolDigger ranks Salem High 201st of 348 Massachusetts public high schools. (See Salem High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Salem:

SchoolDigger ranks Salem 295th of 351 Massachusetts school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Salem High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Salem High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 27.66 226th 304 25.7%
2004 34.92 221st 307 28.0%
2005 30.77 229th 311 26.4%
2006 39.99 211th 314 32.8%
2007 29.37 242nd 316 23.4%
2008 28.38 254th 319 20.4%
2009 24.85 269th 322 16.5%
2010 22.62 285th 335 14.9%
2011 19.03 294th 340 13.5%
2012 24.60 286th 340 15.9%
2013 31.48 281st 344 18.3%
2014 21.39 296th 347 14.7%
2015 29.36 284th 354 19.8%
2016 24.61 291st 351 17.1%
2017 16.20 301st 348 13.5%
2018 21.84 294th 345 14.8%
2019 28.54 272nd 351 22.5%
2021 22.46 231st 285 18.9%
2022 18.92 281st 342 17.8%
2023 17.92 289th 347 16.7%
2024 47.52 201st 348 42.2%
See the entire list of Massachusetts High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Salem High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.60 51st 77 33.8%
2019 21.23 78th 82 4.9%
2022 32.24 72nd 77 6.5%
2023 44.46 39th 84 53.6%
2024 40.31 36th 86 58.1%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Salem High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.86 309th 344 10.2%
2019 26.37 288th 348 17.2%
2021 22.04 220th 268 17.9%
2022 23.76 266th 339 21.5%
2023 21.62 245th 301 18.6%
2024 43.89 146th 289 49.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Salem High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.72 297th 330 10.0%
2019 26.14 264th 330 20.0%
2021 20.99 208th 253 17.8%
2022 23.93 257th 332 22.6%
2023 19.27 278th 338 17.8%
2024 43.30 200th 338 40.8%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Salem High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.57 274th 339 19.2%
2019 32.90 251st 342 26.6%
2021 23.95 225th 281 19.9%
2022 16.48 282nd 340 17.1%
2023 14.52 293rd 339 13.6%
2024 43.22 211th 342 38.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Salem High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.58 218th 299 27.1%
2019 24.01 242nd 299 19.1%
2021 29.44 146th 202 27.7%
2022 33.72 183rd 295 38.0%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Salem High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.64 309th 343 9.9%
2019 20.89 285th 346 17.6%
2021 19.65 229th 281 18.5%
2022 21.38 270th 339 20.4%
2023 18.87 283rd 343 17.5%
2024 48.18 184th 342 46.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Salem High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.73 107th 134 20.1%
2022 16.96 117th 133 12.0%
2023 14.98 126th 142 11.3%
2024 34.14 101st 160 36.9%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Salem High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.46 156th 193 19.2%
2019 29.66 145th 206 29.6%
2021 23.27 115th 149 22.8%
2022 20.76 172nd 217 20.7%
2023 19.31 200th 241 17.0%
2024 37.04 143rd 249 42.6%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Salem High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.21 265th 303 12.5%
2019 35.60 207th 302 31.5%
2021 24.31 212th 249 14.9%
2022 28.75 221st 300 26.3%
2023 25.45 230th 301 23.6%
2024 66.35 105th 302 65.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Salem High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, September 4, 2017

Open Quote My kids went there. Son and daughter. Youngest graduated 2011. They had friends of all types and the took advantage of the great theater music and band programs. They loaded up on AP courses senior year. They can deal with all sorts of folks and they seek out diversity now because that is their normal. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Salem High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 981 28 14 120 0 n/a n/a 0 1143
1989 910 30 22 138 1 n/a n/a 0 1101
1990 851 36 15 176 1 n/a n/a 0 1079
1991 812 37 18 227 1 n/a n/a 0 1095
1992 818 47 29 200 18 n/a n/a 0 1112
1993 793 34 27 231 7 n/a n/a 0 1092
1994 792 41 23 227 1 n/a n/a -4 1080
1995 804 24 20 249 0 n/a n/a -1 1096
1996 804 24 20 249 0 n/a n/a -1 1096
1997 775 30 26 261 2 n/a n/a -9 1085
1998 762 26 25 301 0 n/a n/a 0 1114
1999 812 57 24 223 0 n/a n/a 0 1116
2000 773 34 24 320 1 n/a n/a 0 1152
2001 790 35 18 314 1 n/a n/a 0 1158
2002 812 46 22 392 3 n/a n/a 0 1275
2003 812 46 22 392 3 n/a n/a 0 1275
2004 870 51 26 394 2 n/a n/a 0 1343
2005 839 61 41 433 2 n/a n/a 0 1376
2006 807 65 48 452 1 n/a n/a 10 1383
2007 777 64 47 450 1 n/a n/a 20 1359
2008 724 69 51 446 1 n/a n/a 22 1313
2009 683 60 50 449 2 0 29 0 1273
2010 650 54 46 445 2 0 32 0 1229
2011 658 61 44 418 1 0 49 0 1231
2012 661 58 40 420 1 0 52 0 1232
2013 608 50 34 405 1 0 47 0 1145
2014 544 53 31 398 1 0 51 0 1078
2015 491 53 30 390 3 0 49 0 1016
2016 432 64 22 388 1 0 40 0 947
2017 401 72 21 401 2 0 36 0 933
2018 381 69 27 404 0 0 38 1 920
2019 370 62 28 413 1 0 42 0 916
2020 367 45 25 409 1 0 39 0 886
2021 341 43 26 409 1 0 39 1 860
2022 306 50 23 386 1 0 35 2 803
2023 338 64 22 434 1 1 26 2 888

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Salem High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1143 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1101 n/a n/a n/a
1990 1079 n/a n/a n/a
1991 1095 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1112 n/a n/a n/a
1993 1092 n/a 0.0 n/a
1994 1080 n/a n/a n/a
1995 1096 n/a 0.0 n/a
1996 1096 n/a 0.0 n/a
1997 1085 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 1114 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 1116 n/a 0.0 26.3
2000 1152 n/a 0.0 25.3
2001 1158 n/a 0.0 21.6
2002 1275 n/a n/a 29.9
2003 1275 n/a n/a 29.9
2004 1343 97.4 13.8 29.9
2005 1376 107.6 12.8 32.2
2006 1383 115.2 12.0 35.9
2007 1359 120.0 11.3 35.5
2008 1313 122.6 10.7 40.6
2009 1273 117.6 10.8 46.4
2010 1229 118.0 10.4 49
2011 1231 123.3 9.9 53.2
2012 1232 127.1 9.6 57.5
2013 1145 124.6 9.1 57.2
2014 1078 116.4 9.2 59.5
2015 1016 116.0 8.7 59.9
2016 947 109.0 8.6 n/a
2017 933 104.9 8.8 n/a
2018 920 97.8 9.4 n/a
2019 916 92.4 9.9 n/a
2020 886 88.1 10.0 n/a
2021 860 84.0 10.2 n/a
2022 803 98.8 8.1 n/a
2023 888 104.4 8.5 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Salem High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1143 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1101 n/a n/a n/a
1990 1079 n/a n/a n/a
1991 1095 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1112 n/a n/a n/a
1993 1092 n/a 0.0 n/a
1994 1080 n/a n/a n/a
1995 1096 n/a 0.0 n/a
1996 1096 n/a 0.0 n/a
1997 1085 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 1114 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 1116 n/a 0.0 26.3
2000 1152 n/a 0.0 25.3
2001 1158 n/a 0.0 21.6
2002 1275 n/a n/a 29.9
2003 1275 n/a n/a 29.9
2004 1343 97.4 13.8 29.9
2005 1376 107.6 12.8 32.2
2006 1383 115.2 12.0 35.9
2007 1359 120.0 11.3 35.5
2008 1313 122.6 10.7 40.6
2009 1273 117.6 10.8 46.4
2010 1229 118.0 10.4 49
2011 1231 123.3 9.9 53.2
2012 1232 127.1 9.6 57.5
2013 1145 124.6 9.1 57.2
2014 1078 116.4 9.2 59.5
2015 1016 116.0 8.7 59.9
2016 947 109.0 8.6 n/a
2017 933 104.9 8.8 n/a
2018 920 97.8 9.4 n/a
2019 916 92.4 9.9 n/a
2020 886 88.1 10.0 n/a
2021 860 84.0 10.2 n/a
2022 803 98.8 8.1 n/a
2023 888 104.4 8.5 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Salem High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $735 (3.5%) $20,335 (96.5%) $21,070
2020 $649 (2.8%) $22,432 (97.2%) $23,081
2021 $1,343 (6.0%) $21,196 (94.0%) $22,540

Data source: Massachusetts Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Salem High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 272nd of 351 High schoolsRanks 289th of 347 High schools
 5.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Salem High)5138.2
 12.8%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Salem)4735.7
 11.3%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)6158.2
 2.8%
10th Grade Mathematics (Salem High)4728
 19%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Salem)4424.9
 19.1%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)5849.7
 8.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students916888
 3.1%
African American6264
 3.2%
American Indian11
Asian2822
 21.4%
Hispanic413434
 5.1%
Pacific Islander01
White370338
 8.6%
Two or More Races4226
 38.1%


Schools Near Salem High









Frequently Asked Questions about Salem High

In the 2022-23 school year, 888 students attended Salem High.

Salem High ranks 201st of 348 Massachusetts high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Salem High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Bates
Elementary : Carlton
Elementary : Horace Mann Laboratory
Elementary : Saltonstall School
Elementary : Witchcraft Heights
Middle : Collins Middle

Students at Salem High are 49% Hispanic, 38% White, 7% African American, 3% Two or more races, 2% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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