Best Public Schools in Salem, OR

The city of Salem, Oregon is home to 58 schools, including 38 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 8 high schools, and 1 alternative school, serving students across the Salem-Keizer School District 24J. The district as a whole is ranked 106th out of 140 districts in Oregon and has a 1 out of 5 star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating significant room for improvement in the quality of education across the area.

A few standout schools emerge from the data, including Early College High School, which ranks 2nd out of 268 Oregon high schools and earns 5 out of 5 SchoolDigger stars, as well as two top-performing middle schools, Howard Street Charter and Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School, which both earn 5 out of 5 stars. In contrast, many of the traditional public schools in the district struggle, with several elementary and middle schools ranking in the bottom 25% of Oregon schools.

The data reveals significant disparities in student performance and school quality within the Salem-Keizer School District 24J. While some schools like Early College High School and the charter schools excel, the district as a whole lags behind the state average, particularly at the high school level, where proficiency rates in core subjects are well below state benchmarks. Addressing these systemic challenges and inequities will be crucial for ensuring all students in Salem have access to a high-quality education.